The display format previously known as 4K will now and forever be referred to as "Ultra High-Definition," or Ultra HD for short. So says the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), which has bestowed upon the next-generation format its official consumer designation, approved via a unanimous vote by the organization's Board of Industry Leaders. The designation is intended to help consumers and retailers "understand the attributes" of 4K TV sets.

"Ultra HD is the next natural step forward in display technologies, offering consumers an incredibly immersive viewing experience with outstanding new levels of picture quality," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. :This new terminology and the recommended attributes will help consumers navigate the marketplace to find the TV that best meets their needs.”


The CEA claims it conducted "extensive consumer research" in determining that the 4K designation should be kicked to the curb in favor of Ultra HD, which consistenly rated highest in terms of helping consumers understand the technology. TV sets labeled as Ultra HD must feature a minimum of 8 million active pixels with at least a 3,840 (horizontal) x 2,160 (vertical) resolution and no less than a 16:9 aspect ratio. In addition, any TV set designated as Ultra HD must have at least one digital input capable of carrying and presenting the native 4K format video without having to upconvert the signal.

Whereas 3D was the dominant theme at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas earlier this year, Ultra HD is expected to be the theme at the upcoming convention in January 2013.