Is "TimeScapes" the first 4K film ever sold to the public?

[Subhadip Sen]

You don't. It's for bleeding edge multi-media systems with high-end hardware that can handle high-bitrate content. The kind of system that you'd either build or have built for you.

Here's the text from the ordering page...

The TimeScapes 4k version is only suitable for displays with a 4K resolution.
The file is a single 32 Gigabyte mp4, with a bit rate of 90 Mbits at 4096 x 2304 pixels.
We will send you a file to copy to your computer, so we cannot offer refunds or returns.
Please ensure your system can play back a file like this. You will likely need a very fast hard drive or a RAID system and a multi core processor.

In short, you're talking about a high-end quad-core setup using SSDs for file storage, lots of memory with a 64-bit OS running from a dedicated SSD, the latest 64-bit media players and codecs (kinda wonky right now since it's experimental), a 4K capable Nvidia or AMD GPU (the latest and greatest) and a 4K display.

It's not that difficult, 4K is achievable on entry level computers.

The trick is using the right software with the right configuration. I have tried it on a $500 AMD A6-3400M laptop with a 5400rpm drive and 4GB RAM and no discrete GPU. 4K X264 @ 200 Mb/s files work just fine. Remember, 90 Mbit is only 11 MB/s, which is pretty easy for even the slowest of hard drives, so no RAID or SSD required.

Of course, if you try playing with VLC you will only see a slideshow.

Here's what works, and should on average computers running Windows 7:

Frontend: Media Player Classic
Renderer: Overlay Mixer (the default is EVR which will work on reasonably powerful computer, but for laptops and such this needs to be changed. If you have a powerful GPU, MadVR will work too for excellent quality)
Decoder: ffdshow DXVA (If you have a quad core CPU, go for ffdshow software minus DXVA)

Intel IGPs are not going to work. If you use OS X, Quicktime won't work at all and VLC will require a powerful system like the ones you mention. The best bet would be MplayerX but I haven't found it to be very stable and would still require a quad core CPU. On Linux, use any ffdshow frontend and disable VDPAU.

4K display is a different matter, but they should go mainstream by 2013 (starting late 2012). The good news is every new GPU or APU released in 2012 supports 4K outputs.

[PatrickW]

Yep. If you guys have any specific ideas for film or tech blogs that might be interested in this 4K story, could you post them here?

Slashdot.org
reddit.com
gizmodo.com
engadget.com
techcrunch.com
boingboing.com

[Tom Lowe]

Hey guys, here's the correct file information for the 4K H264 version. We are going to update the website soon.

The file is 14Gb, H264 Main 5.1, VBR 2-pass with Target bitrate of 40MB and max bitrate of 80MB. We will offer both direct downloads and files on USB sticks -- your choice.

I also encoded 2560x1440 versions.

My 1080p version is optimized for the iPad 3. It's roughly 4GB, and it's fucking beautiful on the iPad 3! Like, stunning. I cannot wait for the new Samsung tab with 2560x1440!

[Jaakko Rinne]

The file is 14Gb, H264 Main 5.1, VBR 2-pass with Target bitrate of 40MB and max bitrate of 80MB. We will offer both direct downloads and files on USB sticks -- your choice.

The Bytes and bits are the wrong way around there. I'm pretty sure you meant the file is 14GB and the bitrates are 40Mbps to 80Mbps.

[Jason Sinclair]

Can we play this at independent cinemas?

[Andrew M.]

My 1080p version is optimized for the iPad 3. It's roughly 4GB, and it's fucking beautiful on the iPad 3! Like, stunning. I cannot wait for the new Samsung tab with 2560x1440!

I agree with stunning but 1920x1080 is giving bad moire. (not visible on fast moving objects)

2048 for iPad3 would be much better.

[Tim Sutherland]

I've definitely seen posts about 4k on engadget and gizmodo, I'm sure they would be interested.

Tim

[Tom Lowe]

Yeah, we are definitely gonna hit up Gizmodo and endgadget.

BTW, our 4K strategy is changing a bit. We are going back to a 30GB 4K file on a USB stick, but will also be offering a higher-end version, for real home-theater buffs -- a 130GB Cineform 4:2:2 version of the film that will ship on a USB 3.0 external drive. Still working out pricing and such.

[Brandon J. Garcia]

Have you guys ever heard of 2560x1440p downloads of films?

As a iMAC owner, I would love this. I watch most of my shows on my computer and most certainly would be interested.