HDR Ultra-HDTV Part 6

Ed’s AV Handbook
Saving the world from poor fidelity
HDR Ultra-HDTV — Part 6 Ultra-HD sources   (3/17)

Ultra-HD sources currently include Ethernet rental/purchase services,
Ethernet real-time streaming, and the Blu-ray disc.

Streaming services have a bandwidth issue. 25Mbps seems to be the download speed ‘sweet spot’ for Ultra-HD streaming. Yet the average consumer connection is only 15 Mbps.  Unlike streaming, download-only services avoid the issue by storing the data on a media server device (hard drive with user interface) for later playback.  Blu-ray discs also avoid the issue.  Just buy or rent a disc.  Load the disc in the player.  Press play and view.

The initial Ultra-HD Blu-ray players and most TVs are limited to the HDR10 format. Many will soon offer Dolby Vision upgrades. The jury is still out on other formats.  Finally, Ultra-HD broadcast is currently limited to DirectTV and Dishnet via a limited selection of channels.  Off-air terrestrial broadcasts do not yet exist.

Ethernet real-time streaming and download purchase/rental services include:
– Netflix
Streaming Ultra-HD HDR10 & Dolby Vision service.
– Amazon Instant Video
Streaming UHD HDR10 & Dolby Vision Instant Video service.
– Vudu (Walmart)
Ultra-HD HDR10 and Dolby Vision download purchase or rental-only service.
Currently limited to certain LG and Vizio 4K UHD TVs
– YouTube UHD
Streaming-only service.
Uses Google VP9 compression (Not HEVC).
– Fandango Now
Streaming or download purchase/rental via Samsung & LG TVs, Roku, or Vidity storage devices.
– Google Play
UHD HDR downloads purchase-only service.
– Sony’s Ultra 4K Movies
Ultra-HD HDR downloads purchase-only service.
– Vidity Ultra-HD
Ultra-HD HDR for download purchase-only service.
– UltraFlix
UltraHD downloads rental-only service.

That concludes Part 6.   Next Part 7 System Compatibility.

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