High Definition is in the works to be replaced by even more highly defined picture, and to push the new concept on consumers, it needed a catchy name. Enter the Consumer Electronics Association, the standard trade industry in the United States that does, among other things, help to maintain standardization in the trade. Initially, the newer, higher quality picture was using the term 4K (a play on 4G, perhaps?), but now the group has opted to roll with a different name.
Henceforth, the new display option will be known as Ultra High Definition. Currently, all it takes to count as regular High Definition is 1920 x 1080 pixels. However, according to CNET, to qualify for “Ultra” status, a screen will have to have at least 3840 x 2160 pixels. There are some additional requirements for the format, but that’s the biggest one.
So, what does this mean for the current consumer? Not a whole lot, yet. New technology often takes forever to implement—for instance, my mother still lacks a High Definition TV, much less one of the Ultra HD configurations—and there isn’t a whole lot of Ultra High Definition technology on the market. The Sony VPL-VW1000ES is the only piece of equipment that qualifies right now, and I’m guessing it will be a while before we see the medium catch on. Still, now that we know Ultra High Definition is a real thing, I feel good about opening the floor to sniggers and snarky remarks. That name is so ridiculous! It’s like the CEA is using the same trick that condom makers use to get people to buy the pricier item. I’m guessing this will probably work.
