The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) launched a format extension study task force in late 2012 to evaluate the potential of emerging developments including 4K, 8K, High Frame Rates (HFR) and expanded color resolution. Each technology is being evaluated to determine tech feasibility, market demand and the potential impact on the installed base of Blu-ray players.

“The urgency is primarily due to 4K,” said Andy Parsons, head of BDA’s U.S. promotion committee and SVP at Pioneer. “4K TVs are hitting the market and people need something to watch.”

He reasoned that due to the bandwidth required to move 4K content, “we might have to expand the capacity of the [Blu-ray] disc, but [delivery in the foreseeable future] makes sense for package media; it doesn’t make sense for online.”

Parsons reported that preliminary figures from IHS Screen Digest suggest that unit sales of Blu-ray titles were up 21.3 percent in 2012, compared with 2011.

He added that 3D Blu-ray has experienced “gradual growth” this past year and around 200 3D titles are now available.