4k Blu-Ray

Vector Sigma · 25 Apr 2017 at 13:11

Hi guys,

I was wondering someone can help me shed some understanding on Pioneer's new Blu-Ray optical drives, that can play 4k movies. I play 4k games on my Acer Predator XB321HK 32, but I am wondering, if I'll be able to watch 4k movies.

http://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/1/25/14387744/pioneer-ultra-hd-bluray-drive-4k-pc

Apparently the requirements to play 4k movies are found on PowerDVD's site.

https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdvd-ultra/spec_en_GB.html?&r=1

1) The minumum requirement is your CPU must be one of the Kaby Lake editions or higher - this means my 6950, and Asus Rampage V Edition 10 are not compatible, right?

2) The GPU requirement states Ultra HD Blu-ray: Intel 7th generation (Kaby Lake) Core i processors integrated with Intel HD Graphics 630, Intel Iris™ Graphics 640 - what does this mean? I have 4 980 in Quad SLI configuration.

3) The Motherboard requirement states Ultra HD Blu-ray A mainboard is required which supports the Intel Software Guard Extensions (Intel SGX) technology. The Intel SGX feature needs to be enabled in the BIOS* settings and allocated with 128 MB or above memory space. To view the HDR 10 effect of Ultra HD Blu-ray movies, a mainboard that supports exporting HDR 10 signal is required - I take it mine is not compatible because it doesn't support the Kaby Lake/Skylake editions?

4) Under Display Device, it says Display device with HDMI 2.0a/DisplayPort 1.3 connection interface, and must support HDCP 2.2 - why is a DP 1.3 required? Mine only support 1.2, but how is everyone else been watching 4k content/movies on their HD/QHD monitors? There are plenty of examples of this on YouTube.

5) Do the same requirements apply, if you're playing downloaded 4k content from netflix. So, you're not playing it from a disc.

Thanks guys.

Bluecube · 25 Apr 2017 at 16:31

Being able to play games at 4K depends on the power of your graphics card and if it can output a 4K signal to your monitor. It has nothing to do with having a UHD Bluray drive which will only be for playing 4K films from or storing data.

Rannoch · 25 Apr 2017 at 16:34

You have quad 980's?

Vector Sigma · 25 Apr 2017 at 16:34

Bluecube said:
Being able to play games at 4K depends on the power of your graphics card and if it can output a 4K signal to your monitor. It has nothing to do with having a UHD Bluray drive which will only be for playing 4K films from or storing data.

I am sorry, I made a mistake.

I meant.

I play 4k games on my Acer Predator XB321HK 32, but I am wondering, if I'll be able to watch 4k movies.

Vector Sigma · 25 Apr 2017 at 16:35

Vargas said:
You have quad 980's?

Yes.

Bluecube · 25 Apr 2017 at 18:22

My understanding is that you need a Kaby Lake CPU to view encrypted UHD video i.e. that of UHD Bluray. I'm fairly sure that Netflix also requires a Kaby Lake CPU but I'm not sure what for. I THINK it's also to allow playback of 4K video.

You will find 4K videos on YouTube that you'll be able to play. It's just certain encrypted services that you currently can't use.

Vector Sigma · 25 Apr 2017 at 18:30

Bluecube said:
My understanding is that you need a Kaby Lake CPU to view encrypted UHD video i.e. that of UHD Bluray. I'm fairly sure that Netflix also requires a Kaby Lake CPU but I'm not sure what for. I THINK it's also to allow playback of 4K video.

You will find 4K videos on YouTube that you'll be able to play. It's just certain encrypted services that you currently can't use.

Thank you for that.

What about the GPU requirements?

It also states you need a display device, that features a DP 1.3. That means no monitors on the market will be able to play UHD Blu-Rays.

Bluecube · 25 Apr 2017 at 18:34

HDMI2.0a OR DisplayPort 1.3. HDCP2.2 is the important spec here as it's a necessity. I'm not sure about the 980 but certainly it's a rare modern graphics card that doesn't have HDMI2.0a or better.

Vector Sigma · 25 Apr 2017 at 18:45

Bluecube said:
HDMI2.0a OR DisplayPort 1.3. HDCP2.2 is the important spec here as it's a necessity. I'm not sure about the 980 but certainly it's a rare modern graphics card that doesn't have HDMI2.0a or better.

How can I check if my 980 has HDMI2.0a?

Am, I correct in my understanding, that there is no 4k monitor on the market now, that will be able to play UHD videos?

Bluecube · 25 Apr 2017 at 20:10

Nvidia's website will likely have the info somewhere.

A quick Google shows that LG and Benq have HDCP2.2 supporting monitors. I assume other manufacturers do too. If you've space then you could hook up a 4K TV as a secondary display for film watching.

Vector Sigma · 26 Apr 2017 at 10:34

Bluecube said:
Nvidia's website will likely have the info somewhere.

A quick Google shows that LG and Benq have HDCP2.2 supporting monitors. I assume other manufacturers do too. If you've space then you could hook up a 4K TV as a secondary display for film watching.

Thanks for that. The instructions state the display device must also feature DP1.3. I thought no monitors support these yet?

Display device with HDMI 2.0a/DisplayPort 1.3 connection interface, and must support HDCP 2.2

Click to expand...

I'd rather do it from a monitor.

http://www.geforce.co.uk/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-980/specifications

Where would it confirm, if the 980 supports HDMI2.0a?

Bluecube · 26 Apr 2017 at 10:47

You only need DP 1.3 if you're going to use DP. Otherwise HDMI 2.0a will work.

Vector Sigma · 26 Apr 2017 at 11:10

Bluecube said:
You only need DP 1.3 if you're going to use DP. Otherwise HDMI 2.0a will work.

I have a 5960, as this was released prior to the Kaby Lake series it won't be able to play 4k discs. Is this correct?

Looks like, I either downgrade to a Kaby Lake CPU, or await fro the Skylate X line up that will hopefully be released later this year?

I am still struggling to confirm whether the 980 supports HDMI2.0a. I'll contact nVidia direct.