UHD Alliance rises at CES 2015

At CES 2015 various Hollywood studios, consumer electronics brands, content distributors, post-production and technology companies have revealed the launch of the UHD (Ultra High Definition) Alliance. The alliance is set to raise the bar for next generation video entertainment by establishing new standards to support innovation in video technologies including 4K and higher resolutions, high dynamic range, wider colour gamut and immersive 3D audio.

According to the Alliance, it was created with the consumer in mind and is set to provide information on premium Ultra-HD content and devices to deliver best-in-class home entertainment. The Alliance is also focused on helping consumers benefit from a seamless, integrated and high-quality Ultra-HD ecosystem from end-to-end. Premium Ultra-HD content and devices will be clearly identified so consumers can easily recognise them in-store.

The Alliance was formed by global companies including Direct TV, Dolby, LG Electronics, Netflix, Panasonic Corporation, Samsung Electronics, Sharp Corporation, Sony Visual Product, Technicolor, The Walt Disney Studios, Twentieth Century Fox and Warner Bros. Entertainment.

Ansgar Pabst, Business Lead for TV/AV at Samsung SA stated that: “As the UHD ecosystem continues to evolve, we are strengthening our commitment to high-quality UHD content and devices. The Alliance will encourage the development of high-quality UHD content while distinguishing TVs that provide the most premium UHD viewing experience.”

“The innovative advancements and quality improvements with TVs are evolving rapidly, as seen throughout CES,” said Mike Dunn, President, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. “The UHD Alliance will benefit consumers by identifying products and content that will give the true UHD experience.”

“These technologies allow us to utilise a much broader palette to tell our stories while providing viewers with true-to-life colours, superior contrast and premium picture quality,” said Ron Sanders, President, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. “Working with a wide industry consortium is the best way to deliver these experiences within premium entertainment.”

According to UHD Alliance, it aims to ensure that all of the links in the chain – from the production, distribution and consumption of content to the playback capability of devices – meet the identified premium quality standards, whilst embracing standards that are open and allow flexibility in the market yet give consumers confidence that they can watch the content they want on their devices. In the coming months, the group will convene to outline a technology roadmap for the rapid evolution of UHD technology, worldwide.

Staff Writer