STACK #169 Nov 2018

4K UHD FEATURE

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Here's your chance to pick-up those 4K UHD titles you've been coveting, or simply make the move into Ultra High Definition. JB Hi-Fi's 2 for $40 selection includes catalogue classics, recent releases, and a range of genres – you won't find better sound and image quality for a better price!We've handpicked eight of the very best to get you started... Words Amy Flower COLLECTION BUILD YOUR

PREDATOR "Get to da chopper!" The last time Predator hit home video was on a Blu-ray that left fans horrified. Somebody had set the Digital Noise Reduction to stun. The good news here is that this is an entirely different 4K transfer, and it looks magnificent. Colour is amazing, helped by its HDR treatment, and the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 delivers pleasing surround effects, with lots of oomph given to Alan Silvestri’s ace score. THE AVENGERS The final mastered format of The Avengers was 2K, so not surprisingly that’s what we get here, in an upscaled presentation. Those into 4K UHD will know that some 2K presentations look a bit meh, while others shine. This is one that shines, with the addition of HDR a big boost. Even better, the audio has been remixed from its original cinematic 7.1 into Dolby Atmos. GREASE Visually, all manner of stops were pulled out to make Grease look better than it ever has before. The original negative was scanned and all the latest mod cons were used to bring it back to incredible life – think of it as akin to the ‘Greased Lightin” hot rod once it was finished. The audio is a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 affair, which does great justice to the songs – as it should. MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS This Agatha Christie update from Kenneth Branagh delivers a pure 4K experience with HDR enhancement. Shot on 65mm film, the transfer to 4K is very much an accomplished one. In fact, it's one of the most filmic treats that we’ve experienced on 4K UHD, with just the merest hint of grain. A Dolby Atmos mix deftly flits between subtle and powerful when required.

JUMANJI Sony have fully restored the original camera negative for this native 4K transfer, and the effort has SO been worth it. Detail at times is incredible, while the HDR really makes brighter scenes pop – and most of the VFX still look pretty special considering their vintage. A brand new Dolby Atmos soundtrack is included, so prepare for a stampede of exotic animals to trample through your home cinema room. MEN IN BLACK A pure 4K release, the detail on offer here is quite astonishing, while the HDR enhancement improves everything from shiny things to the lead lads’ snappy black and white threads. A new Dolby Atmos sound mix doesn’t let the exemplary transfer down, pumping things left, right, up and behind, while accompanied by thudtacular (it’s a perfectly cromulent word) bass. READY PLAYER ONE One of the best 2K upscales we’ve ever seen, packing both HDR and Dolby Vision enhancement, coupled with a storming Dolby Atmos sound mix. It looks pretty darned amazing, with some of the more character-filled scenes in particular really standing out. As for the sound experience, dialogue is clear and objects whoosh around your head brilliantly. JOHN WICK Remember, hitmen are pet lovers too… One of the first 4K Ultra HD must-have demo-discs, viewing the HDR-bolstered John Wick in pure 4K has lost none of its ability to stun. Add to that a Dolby Atmos sound mix that throws so much full-on audio around that it’s bordering on bonkers, and it’s a disc that no 4K fan should go without. It’s a great movie, too, which helps!

Check out the 2 for $40 4K UHD range at

until 27 January 2019

048 NOVEMBER 2018

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