AliceSony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) and Intel Corporation have announced that Ultra, SPHE’s 4K movie streaming service, will debut on computers powered by 7th Gen Intel Core processors beginning Q1 in 2017.
By leveraging new hardware security technologies in its processor, computers powered by 7th Gen Intel Core will be the first PCs to provide secure access to premium 4K movies and television content through Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s Ultra 4K service.
Coinciding with the expanded availability of the service, Ultra will add new features such as 48-hour rentals and free 10-minute previews, allowing customers to experience a sample of any film on the service in full 4k resolution before buying.
Intel’s new 7th Gen Intel Core processor offers long battery life and true 4K entertainment. More than 100 new devices powered by 7th Gen Intel Core will be available by the end of this year, with some available as early as September.
“More and more people are turning to their PC as their main movie viewing device,” says Navin Shenoy, general manager of Intel’s Client Computing Group. “At the same time, studios like Sony Pictures Home Entertainment are leading the way in producing beautiful 4K content. The combination of the amazing technology in our 7th Gen Intel Core processors combined with the fantastic 4K titles on Ultra means that anyone with these new computers will be immersed in a 4K viewing world.”
“Audiences have shown a strong and growing appetite for premium 4K content and Ultra takes advantage of the latest industry innovations – high dynamic range, digital movie extras and now the 7th Gen Intel Core with Intel hardware security technologies – so viewers get the most out of their movie collections,” adds Pete Wood, SPHE’s senior vice president, Digital Distribution.
“By enhancing our Ultra streaming service with the addition of rental and free preview options and teaming with Intel to provide users greater access to their collections, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is making ULTRA an even more flexible, user-friendly destination for consumers who demand a premium 4K viewing experience,” says Richard Berger, SPHE’s senior vice president, worldwide digital strategy and advanced platforms.
Ultra initially launched in early 2016 on Sony 4K Televisions. Films available on the service for purchase, rental and streaming on Ultra include new releases as well as a library of classic films. New releases are priced at $29.99 (£22.83) to own in 4K with HDR, and will be $7.99 (£6.08) for 48 hour rental. Library titles are priced at $25.99 (£19.79) to own.
CE Pro Eu reached out to Sony UK to see if the service will be making its way across the pond, so watch this space for updates.