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4K Blu-ray: The Best Quality Entertainment

Here at CinemaParadiso.co.uk, our TV series and movies are in nothing but the best quality. We believe that watching movies and TV episodes can offer similar quality to the cinema. With improved quality comes an improved film watching experience, and 4K Blu-Ray is the best choice. Essentially when you rent a film from us, with the right equipment, you can create a cinema-style experience at home, especially with the advancements of the latest consumer technology including 4K Blu-ray players and Ultra-HD televisions. This option continues to be very popular for the avid film fan in 2021, with many people enjoying cinema-quality entertainment from the comfort of their own homes during the COVID-19 lockdown.

As experts in the film and media industry, we are advocates of 4K Blu-ray. Ultimately, Ultra HD, or 4K Blu-Ray physical media is the best quality entertainment and here we explain why. We’ll start by answering the following questions:

  • What is Blu-ray?
  • How does the quality of Blu-ray discs compare to DVDs?
  • Why 4K Blu-ray?
  • Choosing a Blu-ray/4K player?

What is Blu-Ray?

A Blu-ray disc is an updated version of a DVD disk and essentially stores high-definition images, therefore guaranteeing a better image than standard DVD discs. It is important to play a Blu-ray disc on a Blu-ray player to ensure the quality and the same applies to UHD discs. Playing a Blu-ray disc in a standard DVD player does not tend to work, however, Blu-ray players can also play standard definition discs.

How exactly does the quality of 4K Blu-Ray or Blu-Ray compare to a DVD?

Based on the look of the Blu-ray disc, you wouldn't think there was a big difference between the disc itself and a standard DVD since they are the same in shape, size and general appearance. However, when you investigate the make-up of the Blu-ray, you’ll discover that there are many advantages to choosing Blu-ray over standard DVDs.Here are just a few crucial technical differences between the two different disc formats:

1. A Blu-ray disk has a much larger storage capacity than a standard DVD

A Blu-ray disc can store up to 50GB of data which is essentially 10 times the capacity of a standard DVD. While a single layer DVD stores just 4.7GB of data and a double layer (DVD-9) stores up 8.7 GB of data, single layer Blu-rays store 25GB of data and double 50GB. Essentially, in real terms, 50GB of data is enough storage for 4 and a half hours of high-definition images and 26 hours of standard definition data. Obviously, that is a pretty sizeable advantage.

2. Blu-ray discs are more scratch resistant

There is nothing worse than getting three-quarters of the way through a movie and then it starts jumping, pausing and buffering until you need to turn it off. With Blu-ray, this is far less likely to happen than with a standard DVD. This is thanks to a thin, yet scratch resistant, coating that is more effective than the coating on standard DVDs. This is just one of the reasons Blu-Ray managed to innovate the DVD. Their hardiness has also led to a surge of collectors editions and 'steelbooks'.

3. Blu-rays run off blue lasers, instead of red lasers (hence the name!)

Why is this significant we hear you ask? Well, blue lasers are shorter and closer together than red lasers so provide more accurate, and detailed, sounds and images. Essentially it is a massive upgrade in terms of detail and responsiveness, it's one of the main reasons why Blu-Ray is so markedly better than DVD.

4K Blu-ray player
4K Blu-ray player at Argos

Why 4K Blu-Ray?

4K Blu-ray is ultimately the next step of the Blu-ray hierarchy, offering a further improved visual image and Ultra high-definition.

Essentially, you can’t get better than the 4K Blu-ray disk in the current movie market. Perhaps, in future, the technological brains out there will develop an even greater picture, however, for now, we’re all raving about 4K and rightfully so. From action films to horrors, 4K offers the ultimate cinematic immersion that is easily accessible in your own living room. In addition, many new films (Like Mortal Kombat and Zack Snyder's Justice League) release in 4K, and many older films, like Back To The Future, Snatch and True Romance, are getting remastered in the format. Meaning the choice is almost as good as the quality!

Trust us, when you’ve gone 4K, they’ll be no going back!

Choosing a Blu-Ray/4K Blu-Ray player

Standard DVD players cannot play Blu-rays which means that when you are buying a new media player, you’re best opting for Blu-ray. And, since 4K offers the best quality, a 4K Blu-ray player is your best bet but you would need to invest in a 4K TV as well in order to watch it. You can take a look at this What Hi-Fi? that can provide further information on choosing the right Blu-ray player for you. In the meantime, here are ten of our favourite movies to watch on a 4K Blu-ray player right now:

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  • Blade Runner (1982) aka: Blade Runner: The Final Cut / Dangerous Days / Bladerunner

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    1h 52min
    Play trailer
    1h 52min

    A 1982 neo-noir science fiction film, directed by Ridley Scott, Blade Runner was brought out 37 years ago. And despite its age, in our opinion, it is most definitely a hit to watch on 4K Blu-ray. Starring Harrison Ford and Sean Young, the film is loosely based on the 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and is set in dystopian Los Angeles 2019 (in our present time!). The city has become a depressing urban space, the home of Blade Runners and replicants - where the Blade runners are on a mission to assassinate the replicants. If you haven’t seen this film on 4K Blu-ray yet, then you definitely should! We promise you top quality and science fiction adventure that goes on to influence further sci-fi greats.

  • 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

    Play trailer
    2h 23min
    Play trailer
    2h 23min

    This sci-fi classic has been remastered for your viewing please with impeccable 4K picture and sound. One of Stanley Kubrick's masterpieces, 2001: A Space Odyssey still remains a cornerstone of cinematography and original soundtrack to this day. Don't forget to share with us your thoughts on the ending because Kubrick himself once stated: "when you just say the ideas they sound foolish, whereas if they’re dramatized one feels it." Quite a mystery!

  • Blue Planet 2 (2017) aka: Blue Planet II

    Play trailer
    6h 0min
    Play trailer
    6h 0min

    David Attenborough's Blue Planet II is a stunning award-winning nature documentary series worthy of your time and made for watching in 4K quality. Focusing on marine life, it's a long-awaited sequel to the popular The Blue Planet (2001). Explore new worlds and witness the beauty of the open ocean, deep seas, coasts and much more over seven episodes of this stunning programme.

  • Joker (2019)

    Play trailer
    1h 57min
    Play trailer
    1h 57min

    This Oscar-winning film looks even better in 4K quality! Forever alone in a crowd, failed comedian Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) seeks connection as he walks the streets of Gotham City. Unfortunately, he encounters violent thugs while he's dressed as a clown. Arthur wears two masks, the one he paints for his day job, and the guise he projects in an attempt to feel like he's part of the world around him. Isolated, bullied and disregarded by society, Fleck begins a slow descent into madness as he transforms into the criminal mastermind known as the Joker in this thrilling origin story.

  • Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) aka: Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood

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    2h 35min
    Play trailer
    2h 35min

    In Quentin Tarantino's ninth film, actor Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) gained fame and fortune by starring in a 1950s television Western but is now struggling to find meaningful work in a Hollywood that he doesn't recognize anymore. He spends most of his time drinking and palling around with Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), his easygoing best friend and longtime stunt double. The film is available on 4K Blu-ray, and features a large ensemble cast and multiple storylines in a tribute to the final moment of Hollywood's golden age.

  • Mortal Kombat (2021) aka: Mortal Kombat: Devastation / Mortal Kombat 3

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    1h 46min
    Play trailer
    1h 46min

    MMA fighter Cole Young must train to unlock his true power and stand with Earth's greatest champions against the enemies from Outworld in a high-stakes battle for the universe.

  • Paddington 2 (2017)

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    1h 39min
    Play trailer
    1h 39min

    The much-anticipated sequel finds Paddington happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, Paddington spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber's antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it's up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief...

  • Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

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    1h 43min
    Play trailer
    1h 43min

    Walt Disney Animation Studios' 'Raya and the Last Dragon' travels to the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons lived together in harmony long ago. But when evil threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned - and it's up to a lone warrior, Raya (voice of Kelly Marie Tran), to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and unite its divided people.

  • Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) aka: Star Wars: Episode IX / Star Wars: Black Diamond

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    2h 15min
    Play trailer
    2h 15min

    LucasFilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker', the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.

  • Parasite (2019) aka: Gisaengchung

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    2h 8min
    Play trailer
    2h 8min

    Kim Ki Taek's (Song Kang Ho) family are all unemployed and living in a squalid basement. When his son, Ki Woo, gets a tutoring job at the lavish home of the Park family, the Kim family's luck changes. One by one they gradually infiltrate the wealthy Park's home, attempting to take over their affluent lifestyle, but as their deception unravels events begin to get increasingly out of hand in ways you simply cannot imagine.

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No matter what film or TV series you are in the mood for, you should find it at Cinema Paradiso. Browse our collection and find the exact entertainment you’re looking for! Watch outstanding cinema in 2021!