Blu-ray Discs are soon going to be passé. Why? Ultra HD Blu-ray alias 4KBD is set take over from its predecessor.
On Tuesday, May 12, the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) declared that the specifications for the next-gen Ultra HD (UHD) Blu-ray was through and went ahead and unveiled the new format's logo.
The BDA also announced the specifications of the new disc format, which will carry the latest standards for videos.
"For years, Blu-ray Disc has set the standard for high definition picture and audio quality in the home. Ultra HD Blu-ray will do the same for UHD home entertainment," noted Victor Matsuda, chair, BDA Promotions Committee.
So what can one expect from the next-gen UHD Blu-ray? For starters, the content on this new disc format will have resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels - the same as the 4K or Ultra HD TVs. This resolution is basically four times of regular TVs.
The format will also have HDR support, 60fps content frame rate, and up-to-date video. It will also offer extensive color range support. The current format supports only one-third colors that are perceptible to the human eye, whereas UHD Blu-ray will offer a more expansive color range with over 75 percent colors being discernible.
Moreover, UHD Blu-ray is also set to bring the "digital bridge" feature which enables users to see the content across a slew of mobile and in-home entertainment devices.
UHD Blu-ray is also slated to offer support for next-gen "object-based sound formats" that are immersive.
Additionally, UHD Blu-ray players will offer backwards compatibility which means that current Blu-ray discs will be playable on them. Therefore, no need to worry about throwing your existing Blu-ray collection in the trash.
However, current Blu-ray Disc players will not be able to play the UHD Bu-ray discs.
At the International CES 2015, held in Las Vegas in January this year, Panasonic showed off a prototype UHD Blu-ray Disc player which it revealed was targeting a year-end release.
With the BDA announcing the specifications for the UHD Blu-ray being complete, OEMs such as LG, Sony and Samsung could also eye the release of their own UHD Blu-ray Disc players in time for the holiday season.
Photo: Diego Correa | Flickr
