17 TECHFEED 8K
upconversion mechanisms in 8K TV sets will help adoption by upconverting HD or 4K content to 8K”. He adds: “Hypothetically, I would expect large-scale 8K content delivery to be at least a decade away.” The ability of content to maintain parity with consumer product is going to be instrumental. But it could be that if viewers are sufficiently wowed by their early experiences of 8K, they will be prepared to make the leap and wait for content producers to catch up. As Imoto reminds us, “After watching HDTV, viewers didn’t want to go back to watching in standard definition.” He adds: “Likewise, if viewers are amazed by a stellar 8K experience, that would go a long way towards making 8K production more popular.” BEYOND 8K… Given the accelerating cycle of format transition, it is logical to ask what could happen – if anything – beyond 8K. After many years developing the 8K format and contemplating the future of broadcast video, Yamashita’s words carry particular weight here: “I believe 8K will be the
ultimate and final format as a 2D video format for broadcasting,” he asserts. “It is attractive to record at 8K for reuse or archive of broadcast content. It seems natural the viewer would want to watch the 8K content at its best – on an 8K TV without downconverting – if the cost of 8K displays decreases. “In 2013, the price of a 70-inch 4K TV set was $7000 — the same as an 8K TV of equivalent size today. Since OTT companies started producing 4K content and 4K broadcasting began, prices have declined and 4K TVs have become common. It is obvious a similar movement will happen with 8K TVs, which will be common in five or six years.” Yamashita also thinks the car could become a venue for 8K viewing: “If autonomous driving becomes a reality, an 8K display matches a big window, doesn’t it?” Beyond that, though, it is probable the current industry focus will shift away from resolution to other criteria. “For next- generation broadcasting systems beyond 8K, we are seeking a new axis that is not based on resolution,” he concludes.
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