LAS VEGAS – In an attempt to avoid the format fiasco that hobbled the launch of Blu-ray/HD DVD, an inter-industry group has unveiled a “Ultra HD Premium” logo and agreed upon specifications it hopes will avoid confusion among consumers about the benefits of Ultra HD.
The new logo is reserved only for devices, content and services that have gone through a certification process that ensures they comply with performance metrics for resolution, high dynamic range (HDR), peak luminance, blacks levels and wide colour gamut among others. Over the course of the next few days at CES we will see how many of the new 4K UHD TVs announced actually meet or exceed the new specifications.
The announcement was made by the UHD Alliance (UHDA), a group of 35 companies including content providers Walt Disney Studios, Twentieth Century Fox; set manufacturers LG, Panasonic, Sony, Samsung and Netflix (Rogers Communications is also listed as a contributor). The alliance, which was announced at last year’s CES, has been busy working over the past year to find consensus on 4K UHD TV video display standards.
4K UHD TV is the next generation of high-definition display technology for the home, offering consumers superior picture quality compared to current HD displays. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), formerly the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), says shipments of 4K UHD displays will reach 13 million units this year, marking an 83% increase over 2015. CTA expects revenue from 4K UHD displays in 2016 to top $10 billion, a 65% increase year-over-year.
"CTA and the UHDA share the goal of helping consumers and retailers understand the incredible benefits of UHD technologies and services. The UHDA's new 'Ultra HD Premium' specs complement CTA's new guideline for HDR-compatible displays. Both will help consumers and retailers navigate the rapidly growing 4K UHD marketplace,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CTA.
The logo and specs were developed through the collaborative efforts of leading film studios, consumer electronics manufacturers, content distributors and technology companies says the UHDA. The specifications also include recommendations for immersive audio and other features.
“The diverse group of UHDA companies agreed that to realize the full potential of Ultra HD the specs need to go beyond resolution and address enhancements like HDR, expanded color and ultimately even immersive audio. Consumer testing confirmed this,” said UHD Alliance President Hanno Basse. “
To ensure products bearing the Ultra HD Premium logo are certified and conform to the organization’s specifications, the UHDA has designated multiple, independent centers around the globe to handle testing. Companies throughout the ecosystem will work directly with these centers to have their products tested and certified
The new specifications cover multiple display technologies and reference established industry standards and recommended practices from the Consumer Technology Association, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, the International Telecommunications Union and others.
UHD Alliance Technical Specifications Overview
The three specifications cover the entertainment ecosystem in the following categories:
- Devices (currently, television displays, with other devices under consideration)
- Distribution
- Content
Devices
The UHD Alliance supports various display technologies and consequently, have defined combinations of parameters to ensure a premium experience across a wide range of devices. In order to receive the UHD Alliance Premium Logo, the device must meet or exceed the following specifications:
- Image Resolution: 3840×2160
- Color Bit Depth: 10-bit signal
- Color Palette (Wide Color Gamut)
- Signal Input: BT.2020 color representation
- Display Reproduction: More than 90% of P3 colors
- High Dynamic Range
- SMPTE ST2084 EOTF
- A combination of peak brightness and black level either: More than 1000 nits peak brightness and less than 0.05 nits black level; or more than 540 nits peak brightness and less than 0.0005 nits black level
Distribution
Any distribution channel delivering the UHD Alliance content must support
- Image Resolution: 3840×2160
- Color Bit Depth: Minimum 10-bit signal
- Color: BT.2020 color representation
- High Dynamic Range: SMPTE ST2084 EOTF
Content Master
- The UHD Alliance Content Master must meet the following requirements:
- Image Resolution: 3840×2160
- Color Bit Depth: Minimum 10-bit signal
- Color: BT.2020 color representation
- High Dynamic Range: SMPTE ST2084 EOTF
The UHD Alliance recommends the following mastering display specifications:
- Display Reproduction: Minimum 100% of P3 colors
- Peak Brightness: More than 1000 nits
- Black Level: Less than 0.03 nits
