A guide to Ultra HD for AV installations and home entertainment

What is 4K technology?

4K technology may be referred to by many different terms, including:

•  4K
• Ultra HD
• Ultra HD 4K
• 2160p.

For technology to be classed as ‘full HD’ or 1080p, the display must contain 1,080 lines of vertical resolution with 1,920 of horizontal resolution. As the name suggests, 4K must be approximately four times the resolution of 1080p, or a minimum of twice the vertical and horizontal resolution.

In aspect ratio terms, 4K will have around 3,840 (1.89:1) or 4096 (1.9:1). This increase in pixel density, a significant upgrade from traditional HD, is high enough for it to be classed as ‘ultra’.

The benefits of ultra HD-4K

One of the most noticeable differences with 4K technology is the increased ‘visual hyperacuity’. This refers to our brains’ ability to process finer details such as lines and edges. The enhanced resolution reduces pixelation at closer distances, mimicking complicated human visual processing.

When viewing, this increases the immersive experience, even when screen sizes are reduced or viewers are sitting farther away. There is no ‘screen door’ effect with ultra HD. It can also improve video gaming, offering an all-round more cinematic visual, despite the absence of a larger screen.

Technical considerations and bandwidth

To balance out its high-quality visuals, ultra HD naturally has higher demands. With more pixels to process, more data needs to transfer from the source (such as a DVD player) to the display (such as a television screen).

Four times the resolution means four times the bandwidth through an HDMI cable, depending on colours and the frame rate. As such, it’s essential to find the right equipment to process the data, though this is becoming more readily available.

With the HDMI example, integrators should be cautious to use cables labelled as ‘high-speed’. Legacy labelling saw 1080p as the benchmark, but today, ultra HD requires a genuine high speed cable that has been tested to 10.2 Gbps.

For best results, integrators should use 2.0 as opposed to 1.4 for the fastest data rates. A 297 MHz HDMI chipset will support the high demands of ultra-high definition displays.

4K content availability and delivery platforms

Today, content producers are aware of the new capabilities of 4K ultra, and are thus creating media that has been shot for this immersive experience. Ultra HD is deliverable via Blu-ray, streaming services like Netflix, and general television broadcasting channels.

Meanwhile, displays that support ultra HD can also upscale. While companies like Sony Pictures Home Entertainment are now shooting in ultra-high definition, the latest tech can ‘upscale’ footage that has not been shot this way. Ideal for both 2D and 3D content, this supports ‘second screen’ features and digital streaming.

Tom Cosgrove, CEO of 3D television channel 3Net, says that marketing ultra 4K relies on education and the “belief there is something to watch”. With the introduction of new cameras, ultra HD is the first digital format that can capture and convey all the original information from 35mm negatives. That means that not only are we seeing stunning new content, but old classics given a fresh lease of life.

The impact on home AV and business

With these new developments, we are likely to see a new market opening up for high-end visuals. As Cosgrove puts it, educating these customers on the benefits of ultra HD visuals will drive competitive advantage.

We can create a buzz around this new technology by showcasing these with live demos, upselling larger displays for higher revenue. Essentially, an investment in ultra HD 4K is an investment in future-proofing home theatres. As integrators, we should remind customers of this. We can demonstrate how technology will move on with these higher bandwidth demands – but the results will be more than worth it.