Following the launch of Ultra HD Blu-rays last year, the number of titles has grown substantially. You may have seen many of them in your local store, or online, in the new black packaging. But what does Ultra HD Blu-ray actually mean? And how do you watch them at home? We’re here to answer your questions.
What is an Ultra HD Blu-ray and how is it different to Blu-ray?
Ultra HD Blu-ray Discs offer a number of advancements, such as 4K resolution – that’s four times the resolution of a Blu-ray, meaning a much clearer picture – support for High Dynamic Range (HDR), and the ability to display 75% of the colour spectrum.
The new discs also support higher frame rates up to 60 frames per second. That means smoother, more realistic motion on screen.
To find out more about the benefits of Ultra HD Blu-rays, head to www.UHDBDinnumbers.com where you can see many of the differences yourself.
How do I watch an Ultra HD Blu-ray? Can I use my normal Blu-ray player?
To watch Ultra HD Blu-rays, you will need a new player. Sony, Samsung, Panasonic and LG are the just some of the manufacturers out there, but we’d recommend popping into your local technology hardware store to have a look. Alternatively, many of the big online retailers have players available alongside a number of reviews.
Alternatively, if you’re into gaming, you could look at the new Xbox One S, which comes with support for Ultra HD Blu-rays.
You will also need to have a 4K UHD Ready TV, ideally with support for HDR.
What films can I watch on Ultra HD Blu-ray?
There are a number of films available to buy already, such as The Revenant, The Martian, Mad Max: Fury Road, Pacific Rim, Man of Steel, Deadpool, Sicario, Batman v Superman and Kingsman. The list is ever expanding.
For 2017, we’re going to bring you a weekly update of the best films appearing on Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray every week, so keep your eyes peeled and you’ll never be short of something to watch.
