4k Blu-ray Disc video specs come online

The specifications for the upcoming 4k Blu-ray disc have come online. Titles are displayed according to the new standard in a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels, with standard HEVC compression applied. In addition, the rec2020 color space is used.

The suspected specifications of the new standard have been published on the Japanese website AV Watch. A table describes two new 16:9 profiles using the HEVC codec: the well-known 1920×1080 resolution and the 4k resolution that counts 3840×2160 pixels. The maximum bit rate increases from 40Mbit to 100Mbit, while still using 4:2:0 color sub sampling. Frame rates are allowed of 23.976, 24, 25, 50, 59.94 and 60 frames per second.

Not only is the resolution improved with the new Blu-ray standard, the image quality is also addressed. In addition to the usual rec709 color space, the rec2020 standard can also be used, so that more color information can be stored. However, it will be some time before manufacturers can take full advantage of this, as current televisions are not yet able to display all colors from the rec2020 color space.

The new Blu-ray standard should also provide support for high dynamic range images, a technique currently used by almost all TV manufacturers. HDR ensures that the dynamic range of the image is increased, so that highlights, for example, are displayed brighter. This extra information can be stored because the new Blu-ray spec boosts the color depth from 8 to 10 bits.

The new Blu-ray standard is set by the Blu Ray Disc Association. The first players that can play 4k images are expected to hit the market at the end of this year. At the CES in early January, Panasonic showed a prototype of such a player.