FAQs
UHD Alliance and ULTRA HD PREMIUM™
What is the UHD Alliance?
The Ultra High Definition Alliance (UHDA) is composed of leading global entertainment, electronics and technology companies united to establish a series of features with specified performance levels that collectively define a premium Ultra HD entertainment experience.
What does the “ULTRA HD PREMIUM™” logo mean? Why does it matter?
The UHDA’s ULTRA HD PREMIUMTM logo identifies products and services that meet or exceed specified performance levels for resolution (4K – 4 times sharper than HD), High Dynamic Range (HDR – brilliant brights, deepest darks), Wider Color Spectrum (more lifelike colors), and recommendations for immersive audio (multi-dimensional sound) among other performance advances, which enable certified televisions, content and other devices to fully replicate the richness of life’s sights and sounds and allow viewers to more accurately experience the content creator’s vision.
The logo enables consumers to identify TVs, content and other devices that can deliver the high standard for performance and immersive experience set by the UHDA.
What products can be ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certified?
Currently, ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certification applies to TVs, Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc players and content. Additional product categories may be certified in the future.
How does the ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ designation relate to 4K Ultra HD TVs?
ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certification helps to ensure a premium consumer experience, based on specified performance requirements. In previous years, the initial wave of 4K Ultra HD devices were primarily focused on 4K resolution. Today, the ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ designation indicates that a TV includes HDR and Wider Color Spectrum.
If you are interested in seeing highlights of the technical specifications for ULTRA HD PREMIUM™, click here.
How does the ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ designation relate to Ultra HD Blu-ray?
Both Ultra HD Blu-ray™ players and discs can be ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certified. Ultra HD Blu-ray™ players are required to meet specific performance criteria, as defined by the UHDA. Ultra HD Blu-ray™ (4K Ultra HD) discs are recommended to be mastered in a specific environment to qualify for the ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ logo. For the best experience, pair an ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ Ultra HD Blu-ray™ player with an ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certified TV.
If you are interested in seeing highlights of the technical specifications for ULTRA HD PREMIUM™, click here.
Content
What ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certified content is available?
ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ content is available from a variety of sources including Ultra HD Blu-ray™ (4K Ultra HD) discs, streaming services and cable/satellite/telco providers.
How do I know if a movie or TV show is ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certified?
For Ultra HD Blu-ray™ (4K Ultra HD) discs, you may see the ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ logo or written ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ designation on the packaging. For digital videos (videos watched online or from applications), it will be up to the streaming service to determine how they wish to designate ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certified content. UHDA recommends checking with your streaming service.
Will I be able to download my ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certified content?
Your ability to download ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certified content depends on the service provider and the destination device or storage media to where you download the content. The ability to download content may vary by service and device. Please check with your service provider to see what, if any, download options are available.
How can I find ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certified movies or TV shows?
Look for the ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ logo or written ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ designation at leading content providers, streaming services or your cable/satellite/telco provider.
Can an ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certified TV upscale content from HD or Standard Dynamic Range?
All ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certified TVs generally can up-scale HD content to 4K. Some may also increase the color spectrum and dynamic range. But such TVs cannot up-scale or enhance the content to the same quality level as ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certified content.
Devices
What do I need for a premium home theater experience?
TV: 4K Ultra HD (or UHD), with HDR. For the best experience, look for the “ULTRA HD PREMIUM™” logo. To enjoy UHD content from Ultra HD Blu-ray™ and UHD media players, you’ll need the latest HDMI® connectivity with support for HDR and HDCP 2.2. Check with your TV manufacturer for more information.
External Playback Device (Set-Top Boxes, Ultra HD Blu-ray™ Players, Gaming Consoles, Streaming Media Players, etc.): In addition to content delivered directly to the TV via apps or broadcast*, you can connect external playback devices:
- For Ultra HD Blu-ray (4K Ultra HD) discs, look for an Ultra HD Blu-ray™ For the best experience, also look for the “ULTRA HD PREMIUM™” logo.
- For digital, look for a streaming media player, set-top box, computer or Ultra HD Blu-ray™ player with UHD streaming capability. (4K UHD app playback requires a high-speed Internet connection. Check with the service provider for recommended broadband speed requirements.)
- Note: Look for authentic “Premium HDMI® Cables” optimized for Ultra HD performance and identified by the “Premium HDMI® Cable” Label affixed to each package. Click Here (or visit HDMI.org) for more information.
Content: Look for 4K Ultra HD with HDR content on disc, digital content services (subscription, purchase) and/or TV service providers (cable/satellite/telco).* For the best experience, also look for the “ULTRA HD PREMIUM™” logo.
A/V Receiver (AVR): Look for a receiver with the latest HDMI® connectivity, with support for HDR and HDCP 2.2 (for video/HDR pass through) and immersive audio format logos, such as Dolby Atmos® or DTS:X™, for example.# Check with your A/V Receiver manufacturer for more information.
Speakers: Look for additional ceiling (“height”) speakers, up-firing speakers, or a sound bar supporting immersive audio formats, such as DTS:X™ or Dolby Atmos®, for example.
*: Currently, Ultra HD Blu-ray™ players are the only ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certified devices. Check with your cable/satellite/telco/streaming provider for 4K Ultra HD with HDR content availability.
#: While an A/V Receiver with an immersive audio format, such as Dolby Atmos® and/or DTS:X™ for example, will deliver the most immersive experience, you can still hear audio through your TV speakers.
How fast does my Internet need to be to stream ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certified content?
Refer to your streaming service for its Internet broadband speed recommendations.
What if the content I want doesn’t have the ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ logo?
Your ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certified device will generally strive to display the best picture, based on the source content quality.
What is an ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ Certified TV?
Yes, however it will not be the premium experience that can be delivered by an ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certified TV.
Can I watch ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ content on my current TV?
Possibly. However, current or older TVs may lack 4K resolution and/or HDR capabilities. So, you will not get the benefit of 4K, HDR and other ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ features.
Can I watch HD or SD content on an ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ TV?
Yes.
Will ULTRA HD PREMIUM™ certified TVs support features like 3D and built-in streaming (ex: Smart TV)?
Support for features like 3D and streaming vary by manufacturer. UHDA has not set criteria for these features.