Playback Information

Blu-ray Discs

Criterion Blu-rays are high-quality, special edition releases that feature better video and audio transfers than DVDs. You will need an HDTV and a compatible Blu-ray player to watch a Blu-ray.

Note: Some first-generation Blu-ray players, like the Samsung BD-P1200, will not play Criterion Blu-rays. Make sure to use Blu-ray players released after 2008 to watch Criterion Blu-rays.

4k & Ultra 4k Discs

A 4k disc holds more data than a Blu-ray disc, allowing it to display higher resolutions and better sound quality. A 4k disk can display a high-definition screen resolution of 3840x2160 pixels for home televisions.

To watch a 4k Criterion disc

• You need a 4k TV
• You need a 4k Blu-Ray player
• You need a 4k HDMI cable

Aspect Ratios

Every Criterion release includes a technical information section that shows how the film was prepared for home video. You will find the aspect ratio and information about the picture and sound quality in this section.

We want to present every film in its original aspect ratio (the image’s ratio of height to width), unless the filmmaker requests a different framing. This guarantees you are getting the complete picture as the filmmaker intended it to be seen.

Subtitling & Audio

Most English-language films and features include optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH). All films, features, and supplements in languages other than English include optional subtitles.

English-language features that do not include English SDH:

• By Brakhage
• Festival
• Fishing With John
• Gimme Shelter
• Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (The Japanese is subtitles but the english is not)
• Monterey Pop

Criterion encodes monaural and stereo sounds using PCM, and surround sound using DTS-HD Master Audo. Some releases also use Dolby Atmos.

Region Encoding

Criterion discs are encoded Region A for Blu-ray. 4k Discs are region-free.

There are select Blu-ray releases that are encoded for multiple regions.

Titles encoded for multiple regions