The 8K Association (8KA) has published an updated performance specification for the powerful 8K Association Certified mark programme.
The update adds new decoding requirements, image quality metrics and a game mode, including support for Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) via the HDMI 2.1 interface. “Gaming on 8K TVs is expected to be an important use case,” said the 8KA, “so the 8K Association wants to help ensure the best performance.”
Ambient Contrast Ratio (ACR) has been introduced to help ensure picture quality performance in different ambient lighting conditions. “For example, the TV will deliver the brightest colours and widest contrast when the room is dark,” noted the organisation. “But as the ambient illumination increases, both of these picture quality elements diminish. Brighter TVs and TV screen technology with lower reflectance overcome this.”
ACR enables companies to measure the reflectivity of the TV with a test pattern in both bright and dim illumination conditions, then set levels for performance in each case that the TV must pass.
“We have been discussing ACR for more than a year as a new item, and it was finally included in V2.1.0”, said KG Lee, chair of the 8KA Technology Work Group. “While passing the ACR spec is optional now for certification, members are required to provide the data so we can optimise the pass/fail criteria for a future mandatory requirement.”
“Using ACR as a metric allows us to better manage the experience of viewers in different ambient light conditions that we all have in the home,” added Pete Sellar, chair of the 8KA Certification Work Group. “These and other efforts we are putting into developing of Certified Specification should give consumers confidence that 8K Certified TVs support the latest developments in TV viewing.”
The 8KA also added new members in the second half of 2021, including Prime Video, 4by4 and UL.
“The 8K Association embraces the goals of these new member companies and is working with its Work Groups to facilitate the industry advancements that can lead to 8K streaming services,” said Chris Chinnock, 8KA executive director.
