I don’t think so.
I think RAH is dissatisfied with how HDR was used on this specific title, and wanted to try a different model of BD player which allowed him to switch the HDR off to see if the HDR on the disc was what was causing his unsatisfactory viewing experience - but upon doing so, was...
Yes, it’s one of the few positives of Paramount not joining Movies Anywhere. They give you an HD code which can be redeemed directly in iTunes. iTunes as a matter of policy provides all purchases and direct redemptions in the highest available resolution format, which for this movie is 4K.
So...
If you’re in the US and an AppleTV user, the digital code included with the new Blu-ray redeems in 4K on iTunes. So I have the new BD disc and a 4K version in my digital library. I’m good.
Agreed. Bean counters probably limited them to two discs, and marketers probably wanted the package to say that it came with B&W and color in the same set. But it was still a poor decision.
I have the new Blu and the old. I’m absolutely slammed so there’s no way I can get to it any kind of soon but if no one has compared the two by Thanksgiving, send me a PM to remind me and I’ll try to make time for a quick look.