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The UHD Alliance announced the completion of the ULTRA HD PREMIUM specifications for additional content delivery devices such as Streaming Media Players, Set-top boxes and Desktop PCs. The expansion of the ULTRA HD PREMIUM family of certified products opens new pathways for the delivery of premium content to the rapidly growing global installed base of 4K Ultra HD displays.
“Our primary focus has been establishing ULTRA HD PREMIUM as the benchmark for excellence, and not only does it remain a core part of our mission, but we’re pleased that many companies are building their products to meet or exceed our specifications”, said UHDA President, Mike Fidler.
He added the alliance will launch a new consumer facing website as well as a series of educational videos and a new retail/consumer brochure focusing on UHD technologies such as HDR, Wide Color Spectrum and other features, to educate consumers.
“A lot of technology is coming at consumers very quickly, and often disparately, making it hard for them decipher what each of these technologies mean. As such, we think it’s critical that the Alliance take a broader view of consumer education and to expand our efforts for the benefit of the entire category”, explains Fidler.
“With 4K UHD TV shipments increasing by 42% to 81 million in 2017, the one constant in a continually and rapidly changing content delivery environment is the consumer demand for a premium content experience regardless of the delivery platform”, notes UHD Alliance Chairman, Michael Zink. “To that end, whether they are viewing content delivered by a disc player, cable or satellite box, or a streaming media player, they can look for the ULTRA HD PREMIUM logo to identify products that deliver a premium experience in 4K UHD with HDR.”
For each of the new content delivery device categories to bear the ULTRA HD PREMIUM logo, the products must deliver the same performance requirements in 4K resolution, high dynamic range, color spectrum and color bit depth that were established for Ultra HD TV’s and Ultra HD Blu-ray players. The specifications and testing requirements have been completed and the Alliance anticipates product testing and licensing will begin in early Fall of this year.
The Alliance also announced it is broadening its mission to include monitoring and maximizing interoperability between product categories. The organization has already conducted an initial review of interoperability issues raised by consumers.
“Our primary focus has been establishing ULTRA HD PREMIUM as the benchmark for excellence, and not only does it remain a core part of our mission, but we’re pleased that many companies are building their products to meet or exceed our specifications”, said UHDA President, Mike Fidler.
He added the alliance will launch a new consumer facing website as well as a series of educational videos and a new retail/consumer brochure focusing on UHD technologies such as HDR, Wide Color Spectrum and other features, to educate consumers.
“A lot of technology is coming at consumers very quickly, and often disparately, making it hard for them decipher what each of these technologies mean. As such, we think it’s critical that the Alliance take a broader view of consumer education and to expand our efforts for the benefit of the entire category”, explains Fidler.
“With 4K UHD TV shipments increasing by 42% to 81 million in 2017, the one constant in a continually and rapidly changing content delivery environment is the consumer demand for a premium content experience regardless of the delivery platform”, notes UHD Alliance Chairman, Michael Zink. “To that end, whether they are viewing content delivered by a disc player, cable or satellite box, or a streaming media player, they can look for the ULTRA HD PREMIUM logo to identify products that deliver a premium experience in 4K UHD with HDR.”
For each of the new content delivery device categories to bear the ULTRA HD PREMIUM logo, the products must deliver the same performance requirements in 4K resolution, high dynamic range, color spectrum and color bit depth that were established for Ultra HD TV’s and Ultra HD Blu-ray players. The specifications and testing requirements have been completed and the Alliance anticipates product testing and licensing will begin in early Fall of this year.
The Alliance also announced it is broadening its mission to include monitoring and maximizing interoperability between product categories. The organization has already conducted an initial review of interoperability issues raised by consumers.