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UHD Spec Stomps on Current Blu-ray Spec, But Will Consumers Notice?

Posted by timothy on from the is-your-nose-on-the-glass? dept.

An anonymous reader writes Details have emerged on the new UHD Blu-ray spec and players set to start shipping this summer. UHD promises resolutions 4X greater than Blu-ray 1080p as well as much higher data rates, enhanced color space and more audio options. But, will consumers care, and will they be willing to upgrade their HDTV's, AV Receivers, and Blu-ray players to adopt a new format whose benefits may only be realized on ultra large displays or close viewing distances? The article makes the interesting point that UHD isn't synonymous with 4K, even if both handily beat the resolution of most household displays.

5 of 332 comments (clear)

  1. I won't notice by itzly · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I don't even have a Blu-ray player. :)

    1. Re:I won't notice by Echo_Hotel · · Score: 5, Insightful

      On the other hand, the color space of current TV grade LCDs is absolutely atrocious and any improvement is going to be noticeable.

    2. Re:I won't notice by Tough+Love · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Well, if Sony and their idiot partners had not made such an absolute hash of the Blu ray experience by excessive DRM, offensive warnings that can't be skipped and crass shovelware loading of endless previews that are opt out (and sometimes, randomly either can't be fast forwarded or can't be skipped) and super slow clumsy content menus due to the braindamaged Java tie then consumers might actually care about the next Blu Ray standard. But Sony did make a hash of it and delivered an experience that makes you want to throw a shoe at the TV every time. The kick in the face that just keeps kicking. Sorry, no more crappy optical disks rubbing my face in whatever a content provider wants to rub my face in. Solid state, hard disk or streaming for me, Blu Ray can fuck off and die, and so can Sony.

      --
      When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
  2. I didn't even need HD ... by cascadingstylesheet · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ... I've often thought "I wish the content/story were better", but never "I need to see more pores".

  3. Article leaves out the new DRM on the output by LamaBrew · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The content providers have threatened to require the new HDCP 2.x DRM system on the HDMI outputs instead of the existing HDCP 1.x. HDCP 2.x has required all of the IC providers to design new chips, and the standard is much more restrictive and much more fragile than the existing HDCP 1.x.

    HDCP 1.x took several generations of product to get to function ( most people's problems with HDMI in the first few years was due to the HDCP DRM failing, not HDMI, which only specs how to send data).

    Given the past history of HDCP it could be years before you can reasonably expect multiple pieces of consumer electronics from different vendors to play together well. I'm sure the message "HDCP violation" will look much nicer in 4K.