CEA Updates UHD Info; Samsung Beefs Up UHD Slate

24 Jun, 2014 By: Chris Tribbey

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The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has offered expanded display and interoperability characteristics for Ultra-High-Definition (UHD) displays, with the hope of giving retailers and consumers a better handle on the technology.

The updated characteristics include what a UHD display resolution covers (at least 8 million active pixels, with at least 3840 horizontally and at least 2160 vertically), aspect ratio (a width to height ratio of the display’s native resolution of 16:9 or wider), HDMI inputs (one or more HDMI inputs supporting at least 3840x2160 native content resolution at 24p, 30p and 60p frames per second) and bit depth (has a minimum color bit depth of eight bits).

“Ultra-High-Definition TV is the next revolution in home display technology, offering consumers an incredibly immersive viewing experience with outstanding new levels of picture quality,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. “These updated attributes will help ensure consumers get the most out of this exciting new technology and will provide additional certainty in the marketplace.”

The CEA is also working with member companies to develop a UHD logo and has offered clarification on the term itself, with its guidance reading: “The terms Ultra-High-Definition, Ultra HD or UHD may be used in conjunction with other modifiers,” including 4K.

In other UHD news, Samsung announced it was expanding its UHD lineup to include a new 85-inch model (as part of the company’s HU8550 series) and two new series: the HU7250 curved UHD TV and the HU6950 UHD TV series.

“As the UHD TV market leader, we’re seeing excellent category growth and adoption among consumers who are looking for the highest resolution and best-in-class picture quality Samsung UHD TVs offer,” said Joe Stinziano, EVP of Samsung Electronics America. “We’re excited to introduce another super-sized model and two entirely new series to our UHD TV family. Whether it’s a flat or curved UHD TV, Samsung continues to provide consumers the broadest selection of UHD TVs for any home.”

The 85-inch model will retail for $10,000. The HU8550 UHD TV is available in 50-inch ($2,499.99), 55-inch ($2,999.99), 60-inch ($3,499), 65-inch ($3,999.99) and 75-inch ($5,999.99) sizes. The HU7250 series will be available in August in a 55-inch model for $2,199.99 and a 65-inch model for $3,299.99.

Meanwhile, TCL (The Creative Life) announced a lineup of UHD TVs set to debut by the end of the year, with the UE5700 series including 40-inch (40UE5700) and 49-inch (49UE5700) models for $499 and $599, respectively.

“TCL is committed to bringing U.S. consumers the latest technology at a great value, and this lineup reflects our continued efforts to bring down the cost of 4K resolution and make it affordable for all consumers,” said Chris Larson, VP of sales and marketing for TCL North America. “A year ago, we introduced the first 4K TV for under $1,000 MSRP, and now you see other popular brands following in our footsteps. We’re moving the bar again and challenging them to keep up with us in making premium 4K a mainstream technology that everyone can enjoy.”

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