Ultra HD Blu-ray is being positioned as the successor to Blu-ray.
But what is it, what films are coming, and do we need it?
This article originally appeared onDen of Geek UK.
The format is the brainchild of Sony and the companies who form the Blu-ray Disc Association.
Sony, of course, won the HD format waras we detailed here.
Hence Ultra HD Blu-ray, which at heart is an optical disc format that can store up to 100GB.
Remember the furore over Peter Jackson using 48 frames per second for his firstHobbitmovie?).
Blu-ray and current high definition supports up to 1920 pixels by 1080.
Bottom line: better quality sound, better quality picture.
And plenty of them are on the way.
The key words there, of course, are supported and authorized.
Furthermore, its unclear yet what an authorised machine is likely to cover.
Apple products, which have heavier digital rights management built in, are likely to be safe.
A tatty external hard disk is a longer shot.
Thus, a PC or Mac is the most likely beneficiary of a Digital Bridge.
How and whether theyre supported remains to be seen.
Well, not yet anyway.
But thats not the same as Ultra HD Blu-ray.
Several manufacturers already have players in the works, and the first will be out in shops by Easter.
Samsung and Panasonic will be amongst the first to launch dedicated Ultra HD Blu-ray players.
If youre after an Ultra HD Blu-ray player, two things.
One, theyre not out yet.
Two, confirm the unit you ultimately choose has the official logo on it.
Crucially, Ultra HD Blu-ray is getting quick and considerable studio support.
Amongst them areMan Of SteelandPacific Rimand presumably some of its 2016 blockbusters.
Theyre due this year.
Its initial titles will, er, apparently includeThe Smurfs 2,The Amazing Spider-Man 2,andPineapple Express.
Universal and Paramount:no titles mentioned thus far.
Universal is expected to support the format, but hasnt explained its plans yet.
Its supporting the format, but hasnt announced any releases yet.
Disney: Disney is part of the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) that has developed the new format.
It hasnt announced any discs so far, though.
Whether thats just in the US or worldwide remains to be seen.
The DVD format, after all, took several months to officially cross the channel.
Expect aggressive discounting and promotions.
This years Black Friday should be interesting, for a start…
If you like a physical product, then this is looking like the last optical disc upgrade well get.
On the audio side?
But ultimately, it depends on you.
Do you need and want the biggest and the best?
If so, this will be it as far as physical formats go.
