Remember the special HFR version of Avatar: The Way of Water that was released exclusively in theaters? Starting this week, you will be able to see it in cinematic HFR at home for the first time.
Earlier this month, Disney announced the arrival of the Disney+ app on Apple Vision Pro, marking the debut of 3D movies in High Frame Rate (HFR) at home, up from the normal 24fps that more or less all Hollywood movies have been created in for decades.
Today, confirmation has arrived that these are the special 'TrueCut Motion' 48fps versions initially exclusive to theaters. Termed "cinematic HFR", it is a motion grading technique to reduce judder while preserving the cinematic look and avoiding the soap opera effect.
Disney's multi-year commitment
In a press release today, Walt Disney Studios and Pixelworks announced a multi-year agreement under which "a collection of TrueCut Motion graded titles" will be made available "to select home entertainment devices".
- "At Disney, we are always looking for ways to elevate the viewer experience," said Rachel Hutter, Head of Operations, Disney Studios. "TrueCut Motion technology brings a new level of creative reach to our filmmakers like never before."
Walt Disney Studios encompasses Disney, Disney Animation, Pixar, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Searchlight Pictures, Lightstorm Entertainment and 20th Century Studios.
- "Disney once again is extending the boundaries of the home cinematic experience, empowering its filmmakers to delight their audiences, and we are proud to be a part of it," said Richard Miller, GM of TrueCut Motion at Pixelworks.
Avatar, Titanic, and more titles later
The press release makes no mention of specific titles but FlatpanelsHD's sources say that Avatar, Avatar: The Way of Water and Titanic will be available in the TrueCut format at launch this week. Avatar: The Way of Water was shot in 48fps.
The press release points to a multi-year agreement for home entertainment devices so we think it is safe to assume that additional titles will be released later.
Earlier this month, Disney itself announced that the 3D HFR movies will be presented in 4K and Dolby Vision, encoded in MV-HEVC. It remains to be seen if 2D HFR versions will also be available.
Also read: Apple will upgrade your purchased movies to 3D free of charge
Avatar: The Way of Water is one of the first HFR titles created with TrueCut Motion. Photo: Disney
Apple Vision Pro first, TVs later
Apple Vision Pro will launch on February 2 in the US as the first home entertainment device offering Disney's HFR versions of James Cameron's movies at home.
At CES 2024 earlier this month, Pixelworks told FlatpanelsHD to expect, in the future, a logo certification program for TVs and other consumer devices. This certification will ensure that devices like TVs play the HFR version of the movie exactly as intended, natively, without motion smoothing or altering cadence.
In other words, a 48fps movie must be played back at 48, 96, 144 or 240Hz on the TV. FlatpanelsHD has reached out to learn more about TV makers' plans, but, so far, they are not talking. Pixelworks said that it is in discussions with all the top TV brands. However, at this time, there are no certified TV devices.
The UHD Blu-ray specification currently does not support 48Hz, making streaming the sole delivery method, at least for now.
Also read: HFR – The one UHD technology you rarely hear about
This is big news for High Frame Rate in home entertainment, championed by James Cameron, Disney and Pixelworks. It has the potential to finally establish HFR as an accepted format among movie enthusiasts, overcoming previous setbacks for HFR in movies like The Hobbit.
