The next generation of so-called 4K HD display technology for the home will be called Ultra High-Definition or Ultra HD, according to the (US) Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).
CEA’s board of industry leaders unanimously voted to endorse the consensus opinion of CEA’s 4K working group recommending the term Ultra High-Definition and related performance attributes.
The working group, now known as the CEA Ultra HD working group, was formed earlier this year to bring a wide array of stakeholders together to discuss how best to define and educate consumers about this new technology.
“Ultra HD is the next natural step forward in display technologies, offering consumers an incredibly immersive viewing experience with outstanding new levels of picture quality,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA.
“This new terminology and the recommended attributes will help consumers navigate the marketplace to find the TV that best meets their needs.”
The group also defined the core characteristics of Ultra High-Definition TVs, monitors and projectors for the home. Minimum performance attributes include display resolution of at least eight million active pixels, with at least 3,840 horizontally and at least 2,160 vertically.
Displays will have an aspect ratio with width to height of at least 16 X 9. To use the Ultra HD label, display products will require at least one digital input capable of carrying and presenting native 4K format video from this input at full 3,840 X 2,160 resolution without relying solely on up-converting.
“Under CEA’s leadership, the Ultra HD Working Group spent the majority of the summer meeting and discussing how to bring this technology to market,” said CEA Ultra HD working group chairman Gary Yacoubian, president and CEO of Specialty Technology/SVS.
“We discussed and debated two important steps, the name and recommended attributes, in a forum that allowed a variety of key stakeholders, manufacturers, retailers, broadcasters and Hollywood professionals to lend their voices. As we educate and raise awareness among consumers, I look forward to working with our robust committee to pave the way for a successful rollout of Ultra HD.”