UHD Alliance unveils 4K TV specs

It should do exactly what it says on the tin

In a bid to bypass the sort of consumer confusion that bedevilled the launch of HD and 3D TV sets, the 35-strong UHD Alliance has unveiled a logo that can be slapped on to all devices that meet a certain minimum spec.

Of course, it’s slightly a case of shutting the stable door after the door has bolted (again), but at least a) they’re showing willing and b) the specs include HDR, which time and time again is being shown as an even more important component of the overall UHD package than resolution on its own. Plus, of course, it’s not just for TVs either — in our brave new world of OTT 4K delivery, the logo can be stuck on any device that can meet or exceed the specifications, which are:

Image Resolution: 3840x2160
Color Bit Depth: 10-bit signal
Color Palette (Wide Color Gamut)
  Signal Input: BT.2020 color representation
  Display Reproduction: More than 90% of P3 colors

High Dynamic Range
  SMPTE ST2084 EOTF
  A combination of peak brightness and black level either:
    More than 1000 nits peak brightness and less than 0.05 nits black level
    OR
    More than 540 nits peak brightness and less than 0.0005 nits black level

(This dual standard effectively ensures that both OLED and LCD screens can match the spec.)

Any distribution channel delivering the UHD Alliance content must support
  Image Resolution: 3840x2160
  Color Bit Depth: Minimum 10-bit signal
  Color: BT.2020 color representation
  High Dynamic Range: SMPTE ST2084 EOTF

The UHD Alliance Content Master must meet the following requirements:
  Image Resolution: 3840x2160
  Color Bit Depth: Minimum 10-bit signal
  Color: BT.2020 color representation
  High Dynamic Range: SMPTE ST2084 EOTF

The UHD Alliance recommends the following mastering display specifications:
  Display Reproduction: Minimum 100% of P3 colors
  Peak Brightness: More than 1000 nits
  Black Level: Less than 0.03 nits

It’s an interesting move by a very powerful lobby that includes everyone from Sony, LG, Samsung and Panasonic, and on to Amazon, Netflix and Sky, and anything that can allay consumer confusion over 4K is a good one as far as we’re concerned.

LG has already rush released a statement saying that its 2016 OLED lineup exceeds the spec, and it will be interesting to see how many of the other new sets on display at CES can either say the same or feature shiny new stickers already lurking on their screens.

 Update: According to the BBC, Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, HiSense, TCL and Sharp have all announced qualifying sets.

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