In our discussions with studio execs, we've heard that most movies encoded with HEVC (h.265, the new compression format for 4K video) should fit on dual-layer discs comfortably. You'll need a new player to read the new discs, but the new players will be backwards compatible with existing Blu-ray movies. It's expected that Ultra HD Blu-ray will upgrade the format to handle 33GB layers (up from the 25GB per layer of current discs) and discs that hold as much 100GB of data. According to statements from various board members, licensing is on track to happen this summer and we could see discs by the end of this year. The demo unit has a hole cut in the top, but we didn't spot any extra pixels leaking out anywhere. Panasonic is showing off a prototype Ultra HD Blu-ray player in its booth here, and shockingly - it's a Blu-ray player. The Blu-ray Disc Association has confirmed the name of its 4K format (Ultra HD Blu-ray) and many of its capabilities, while the Secure Content Storage Association has its own demo for Ultra HD movies you can download and transfer (almost) at will, with backing from Fox, Warner Bros., Samsung and others. Physical media fans have help on the way in two forms, but the bad news is neither one is ready to launch right now. Sure, there are plenty of Ultra HD televisions floating around the Las Vegas Convention Center, but how will you find anything suitably super high-res to play on them? Netflix, Amazon and a few others have started 4K internet delivery, while DirecTV and Comcast also have limited approaches, but sometimes you prefer media you can hold onto.
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