Televisions, players and other consumer electronics supporting 3840*2160 resolution (also known as 4K resolution) will carry Ultra High-Definition or Ultra HD industry-wide marketing term, connoting its superiority over conventional HDTV, the members of the Consumer Electronics Association have decided.

CEA’s board of industry leaders this week unanimously voted to endorse the consensus opinion of CEA’s “4K” working group recommending the term “Ultra High-Definition” and related performance attributes. The name and related minimum performance characteristics are designed to help consumers and retailers understand the attributes of this next generation of superior television and display technology beginning to roll out this fall.

“Ultra HD is the next natural step forward in display technologies, offering consumers an incredibly immersive viewing experience with outstanding new levels of picture quality. This new terminology and the recommended attributes will help consumers navigate the marketplace to find the TV that best meets their needs,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA.

The group also defined the core characteristics of ultra high-definition TVs, monitors and projectors for the home. Minimum performance attributes include display resolution of at least eight million active pixels, with at least 3840 horizontally and at least 2160 vertically. Displays will have an aspect ratio with width to height of at least 16:9. To use the Ultra HD label, display products will require at least one digital input capable of carrying and presenting native 4K format video from this input at full 3840*2160 resolution without relying solely on up-converting.

“TVs remain highly sought after and were the second most frequently mentioned device on consumer wish lists this holiday season, behind only tablets. There has never been a greater time to be a consumer of televisions and displays. You can select from a wide array of choices offering outstanding high-definition picture quality, an amazing 3D experience, and interconnectivity within and outside of the home. And now we are proud to present Ultra HD for those consumers who want tomorrow’s next-generation of displays and televisions, today,” said Mr. Shapiro.

Ultra HD technology will be prominently displayed at the upcoming 2013 international CES, the world’s largest and most important annual consumer technology trade show, which will be held January 8-11, 2013, in Las Vegas.

Tags: Ultra HD, UHD, 4K, HDTV, UHDTV