This Wednesday, December 1, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., was held at the Elysées Biarritz – 75008 Paris the UHD Partners Conference.
An important event for the 4K Ultra HD support that MaG could not miss.
At the reception of the invitation, Brice_le loupe celeste went on site to follow the ceremony and meet various representatives, personalities and partners involved in the promotion and/or development of the HDU market.
HDLU: more than a passion, an explosion!
Contents
The conference
Presented and moderated by Hubert Boüan of the Chief of Bos, General Delegate and Treasurer of UHD Partners France, the conference saw the participation of:
Laurent Villaume, President of UHD Partners France
Victor Matsuda, President of the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) – USA
Michael Hoog, Chairman & Promotions Working Group of the UHD Alliance (UHDA)
Yves Elalouf, President of the Digital and Video Publishing Union (SEVN)
Olivier Chiabodo, CEO of The Explorers
Anaïs Libolt, Home Entertainment Manager of Dolby France
The High Definition Ultra or UHD 4K is undeniably one of the most significant developments in recent years on TV. It provides an incredibly beautiful and precise image quality, particularly suitable for large formats, accompanied by a quality of sound « High resolution ». We are experiencing a real immersive experience and there are now many sources...
"The most beautiful works deserve the best supports!"
Ultra HD 4K Blu-ray Player and Disc
For Cinema fans: Top of the Top! The Ultra HD player imposes itself (100GB, 25 to 100 Megabits/second stream) to enjoy films in conditions close to those of the cinema thanks to the best image quality (HDR 10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Filmmaker Mode) and sound (Dolby Atmos, DTS:X).
Game consoles
The Sony PS5 console perfectly meets the qualities of today's 4K screens, just like the Xbox Series X developed by Microsoft. Video games offer playability, a fluidity still unknown until now. Publishers firmly believe in 4K HDU: Marvels Spider-Man, Fifa... you will be surprised by the realization and beauty of the images.
Internet operators, Smart TV, Netflix, large broadcasters: Canal +, Tf1, and soon the arrival of the UHD TNT
The cinema : Canal +, OCS...
Series : Canal + series, Amazon Prime, Disney +, Netflix...
Sport : Canal +, Telefoot, Eurosport, Bein sport, France TV sport...
The generalists : Tf1 4K, Canal +, Festival, Ultra nature, M6 4K...
Smart TV: Applications integrated into the new screens: Molotov TV, YouTube, SVOD Netflix...
And finally, UHD 4K screens
More than 15 million households equipped with 4K UHD screens, or 50% of French households. The average size of the screens explodes: 46 . The best-selling product is 55. All screens above 40, are in 4K UHD. Not to mention mobile phones and tablets: Sony Xperia, Samsung Galaxy, Iphone X, Huawei p10, LG g6... Become your own director!
"More than anything else, it was the enthusiasm of the public present at the last Paris Audio Video Show (PAVS) last October that once again touched us."
In his speech, Anaïs Libolt mentioned that HDU, HDR and immersive audiovisual technology are increasingly available on programs and in mainstream equipment (TV, sound bars, amps). Today, the high quality audio-video becomes the standard. As a result, the production companies equip themselves accordingly, the skills of the teams increase and « French aesthetics » around the HDU (starting with calibration) can be set up even as the support developed in its early days with the US blockbusters. The same applies to immersive audio with the expension of the lossless (Hi-Res) music and the possibility to enjoy it in mobility (smartphone and helmet). Again, a French ecosystem is in place both on catalogue products and new products.
"High quality is growing."
In terms of figures, Yves Elalouf said the physical video market still weighs 300 million euros. In 2020, 4K accounted for 16 million euros (+35% vs. 2018) with nearly 500K units sold. In the video revenues, the 4K's share increased significantly to 7.5% PDM in 2021. The catalogue also expanded from 645 active references to 793 in 2021 (as of 15 November). This year's edition is Zack Snyder which was the most sold with 26,000 units. In 2020, the Star Wars, Episode IX: Skywalker Ascension with nearly 27,000 units.
"The French are fond of beautiful editions that they can display in their libraries. "
Olivier Chiabodo came to present The Explorers, a premium collaborative media on natural, cultural and human world heritage. It is available on all media, in 17 languages, and already has over 10 million downloads. Launched in 2019, the platform is recognized for its innovation by the world's leading players (the first French application to have received the « Apple Best TV App »). It contains the largest video catalogue « Nature & Heritage » in 4K and 8K HDR worldwide (+ 600 films, i.e. 40 hours of films published in UHD) !
"We offer the largest 8K catalogue on World Heritage"
Michael Hoog recalled the importance of Filmmaker Mode, the new image preset for the majority of the market's 4K Ultra HD TVs. Designed to preserve the creative intent of filmmakers, the Filmmaker Mode promises viewers an authentic cinematic experience on their 4K TV. He guarantees them that they will be able to enjoy the films in ideal conditions with an image such as the director and his technical team wanted. The Filmmaker Mode is the result of a partnership between leading television producers, the UHD Alliance and Hollywood film studios, supported by prestigious directors including Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Paul Thomas Anderson, Ang Lee, Ava DuVernay, JJ Abrams, Mr. Night Shyamalan and Ryan Coogler.
"As this specific standard is common, the rendering on televisions is standardized according to the director's recommendations. "
At the conference, all players in the French market expressed the wish for a systematic HD track for the VF. In fact, unfortunately, FR publishers only follow the orders of the US parent branch. However, it should be noted that publishers are aware of the importance of this demand. The drafting of Laser years Moreover, she would be prepared to launch a new petition as she did with the Warner a few years ago.
"We are in France, and most consumers watch movies in VF."
The 85th Appeal
Present at the conference, Natacha Missoffe, President of the 85 Appeal, and Hugues Peysson, Treasurer of the 85 Appeal, made the trip to talk about the 85 Appeal...
What is the 85 call?
A call for union born during the health crisis of 85 independent publishers. Together with the Digital Video Publishing Union (EVS), they speak with one voice to express the mobilisation and commitment of an important sector. Modern, guaranteeing the cultural diversity of works and the quality of their restitution, it helps to strengthen the links between all audiences – especially the younger ones – and cinema.
Despite the Covid, video publishers did not give up, now their editorial programs in digital and physics. As soon as the outlets were reopened, consumers immediately regained the taste of the media, limiting the impact on this period of the absence of films recently released in the theatre.
They defend the unique place of video publishing, in continuous reinvention. Their perspectives and objectives are:
Defend the maintenance of an exclusive exploitation window of at least four months, even though it may be reduced to two months with the new media chronology (currently under study)
Require a concrete action plan to combat piracy
⋅ Obtenir un engagement durable des autorités de tutelle sur les programmes de soutien à l’édition de vidéo physique
Pursue editorial policy for technical excellence and diversity
"We are passionate supporters of physical support. "
As defenders of authors and works, the 85 are innovative actors with the UHD. They offer works of French, European and world heritage of all ages and genres, and participate in the preservation of films and their international dissemination.
The excellence of Made in France is recognized internationally. It contributes to the sustainability of our technical and cultural know-how, and to the preservation of cinema's memory. It involves French laboratories such as Light, Hiventy and VDM, and represents a whole industry (graphists, press officers, technicians, pressers, packagers, etc.) with nearly 10,000 direct or indirect jobs.
The AWARDS Ceremony
From 02 to 15 November, you were invited to participate in the election of ULTRA HD BLU-RAY AWARDS EDITION 2020/2021 within 4 categories.
And the winner is...
Better Image : Tenet (Warner Home Video)
Better sound : Zack Snyder (Warner Home Video)
Best French Film : The Red Circle (Studiocanal)
Best Heritage Film : Trilogy Back to the future (Universal Pictures)
Best of the Best : Zack Snyder (Warner Home Video)
The awards were presented by Patrick R. Marteau, Publisher The Laser Years, and Hugo Lahutte, Purchasing, Marketing & Communication Director Son-Video.com
The Smyth Realize A16 SE (Speaker Edition by Audio XD)
Imagine a complete multi-channel monitoring solution with only two speakers, to simulate up to 16 in 3D around you (from 9.1.6 for the hour), not altered by the acoustics of the room in which you are, very easy to deploy and transportable. The promise seemed crazy, like coming out of a dream... And yet, it must be recognized that the best 3D sound (Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and soon Auro-3D) manages to be deployed with two speakers! Was it possible to imagine better conclusion at this annual press conference of the UHD Partners France?
The Smyth Realize A16 SE (Speaker Edition by Audio XD) is a special version of the Smyth Realize A16 to listen to film, music, game or series Dolby Atmos and DTS:X on two hi-fi speakers, using patented Audio XD technology. It allows you to enjoy all the advantages of a multi-configuration all around you, but with only two speakers or also one or two headsets, for late listening. It is for the one equipped with a beautiful hi-fi installation and who wants to enjoy a superior multichannel experience with its equipment, without changing or adding multiple speakers. Stereo speaker operation adds to the original headphone operation of SMYTH Realize A16. In "Speaker" mode, the Smyth Realiser A16 SE must be connected to two active speakers (auto-amplified) or a stereo amplifier and 2 passive speakers. This connection to the amplifier is via 2 RCA/CINCH or an optical/coaxial output of variable level. It is also possible to connect if one or two subwoofers, controlled by the A16 SE, are desired.
To enjoy a multi-premises immersion faithful to Audio XD technology, the angle of spacing of stereo speakers on either side of the screen must be 20°, 45° or 60° relative to the listener (only set-up). The choice of speakers (not provided) is free. The SMYTH Realize A16 SE simply connects to the TV with an eARC HDMI cord, or intercal between the screen and a Box TV, Apple TV, CD player, audio streamer, Blu-ray player or Ultra HD Blu-ray using HDMI or RCA/CINCH cords.
In the end, the SMYTH Realize A16 SE adds 4 modes compared to a "classical" Realize A16:
⋅ Décodage Dolby Atmos 9.1.6 (à terme en 15.1.8) et rendu Audio XD sur 2 enceintes
DTS decoding:X 7.1.4 and XD Audio rendering on 2 speakers*
*
Expansion of stereo 2.0 audio tracks in audio rendering XD 7.0 on 2 speakers
A little (many) the star of the demonstrations, I must admit that the Smyth Realize A16 SE has scotched! Presented by Jean-Luc Hausais and Wissam Bokhabrine from Audio XD, and Gilles Gérin from AV-in, the patented Audio XD technology is clearly a revolution... Certainly even the future of home cinema when it will equip more accessible material.
The demonstration was carried out with a pair of self-amplified Dali speakers on a passage of the film Gravity. To make it simple, I felt that the sound came from all directions. From front of course, but also side surrounds, back surrounds and height enclosures... Even though there were, I remind you, only two real speakers broadcasting the whole soundtrack. In short, ultra-enveloping and precise as far as possible as we stay in the triangle (the sweet point), the promise of Audio XD is held up. Hat artists, magic works!
"It's like a movie theater!"
tenit a lady
Key points to remember
The physical video market still weighs 300 million euros
4K Ultra HD support increased significantly to 7.5% market share in 2021
The four-month operating window for physical support must be kept
Ultra HD Blu-rays should systematically board an HD-encoded VF
The Filmmaker Mode should be preferred on other image modes when equipped with the TV
Great you went to the conference! It must have been hard to see all this beautiful material so close but both so far away :-p
In a few years I'll update my screen and my home-cinema. I especially look forward to moving on to a 4K OLED screen that exceeds 60 Hz.
With regard to the Smyth Realize A16 SE, I am very serious. 🙂
Thanks for this report: clear and precise, like d'hab!
"Ultra HD Blu-rays should systematically board a VF encoded in HD": let's cross our fingers!