Ultra HD

Ultra HD (Ultra High Definition), also called UHDV (Ultra High Definition Video) and Super Hi-Vision, is a digital video format proposed by the Japanese research group and broadcasting company, NHK Science and Technical Research Laboratories.

Ultra HD is a giant leap forward from HDTV. It provides a video resolution that contains 16 times more pixels than a conventional HDTV. That is, against 1,080 lines of resolution of HDTV, Ultra HD offers 4,320. More precisely, Ultra HD provides 7,680 x 4,320 pixels in a widescreen aspect ratio of 16×9, for a total 33 megapixels. Additionally, Ultra HD offers a 22.2 channel sound system as opposed the 5-6 channel surround-sound systems commonly available with HDTVs.

The biggest advantage of Ultra HD is its ability to present video that give a real-life impression to the viewer. Ultra HD achieves this by providing a higher view perspective, which is a direct outcome of the higher resolution offered by this technology. However, like any other work of technology, there are disadvantages to accompany the advantages. That is, Ultra HD video and audio – in its uncompressed format – may require huge storage volumes (3.5 TB for an 18 minute video).

Ultra HD is currently designed exclusively for large audiences rather than for home use. This technology is still in a conceptual stage. Ultra HD is not planned to be commercially available until 2025. Until then, technology junkies will have to be satisfied with the standard HDTV.