4K Blu-ray discs look set to be made official

It looks like we are going to see 4K Blu-ray discs. Information surrounding the next generation of the Blu-ray format appears to have leaked, pointing towards the possibility of discs able to store up to 100GB, necessary for Ultra HD films.

We knew that Panasonic and Sony were working on developing a new, bigger capacity Blu-ray disc, but reports suggested that manufacturers were not looking to release these high-capacity optical discs to the public.

Now, a press release on the Singulus Technologies' website (spotted by HDTV Test) – a company which builds machines used in the manufacture of optical discs – seems to reveal exactly that.

A post on the Singulus website reveals that the company has "completed the development of the production technology for the new triple-layer Blu-ray Discs with 100 GB storage capacity.”

With more 4K TVs being released at IFA 2013, film studios – Sony in particular – have been readying more content, notably its 4K streaming service in the US. Now it seems we may get 4K Ultra HD discs, too.

Reports suggest that the triple layer discs (33GB on one layer, up from 25GB) will be able to comfortably store a 4K film although, despite the breakthrough, it's still as yet unclear how this will work with regards to 4K playback on current Blu-ray players.

MORE: Everything you need to know about 4K Ultra HD

by Kobina Monney

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Kob began his career at What Hi-Fi?, starting in the dusty stockroom before rising up the ranks to join the editorial and production team as the Buyer’s Guide editor. Experienced in both magazine and online publishing, he now runs the TV & audio section at Trusted Reviews where he keeps a beady eye on all the latest comings and goings in the hi-fi and home cinema market. 

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