IFA 2014: 4K Blu-ray discs to arrive 'by the end of 2015'

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A spokesperson for the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) has used IFA 2014 as the stage on which to announce that 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs and compatible hardware are destined to become a reality by Christmas 2015.

The BDA expects to finalise licensing in the first half of 2015, with plans to put 4K Blu-ray discs on shelves by Christmas. It's also hoped that compatible 4K Blu-ray players will be released at the same time.

With 4K TVs growing in popularity with consumers, the only thing that remains outstanding is the production of easily obtainable 4K content.

MORE: Ultra HD 4K TV: reviews, news and everything you need to know

Both Netflix and Amazon currently offer video streams in Ultra HD 4K, but these are only available through TVs with the HEVC decoder and a strong broadband connection. Most of the major manufacturers have unveiled sets with the HEVC decoder on board at IFA 2014, including Panasonic, Philips, and Toshiba.

The BDA said earlier this year at CES 2014 in Las Vegas that 4K Blu-ray could be in our homes by the end of the year, but it now seems that won't be the case due to unforeseen delays. It's highly likely a further announcement will be made at next year's CES, and you can be sure that we'll report all of the details when that comes in January.

MORE: IFA 2014 - live from Berlin

Max Langridge

Max is a staff writer for What Hi-Fi?'s sister site, TechRadar, in Australia. But being the wonderful English guy he is, he helps out with content across a number of Future sites, including What Hi-Fi?. It wouldn't be his first exposure to the world of all things hi-fi and home cinema, as his first role in technology journalism was with What Hi-Fi? in the UK. Clearly he pined to return after making the move to Australia and the team have welcomed him back with arms wide open.