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By all accounts CES 2014 took the relationship between screen and technology to a higher frequency. The beaming star of the show was the much hyped and heavily invested platform 4k and Ultra HD TV sets.
CES featured 4k sets of every variety, from curved LED 4K sets from LG to Samsung’s malleable, bendy 85U9B LED set. The emphasis was on premium, high octane viewing experience and downward price pressure means that the consumer is winning, but the industry is struggling to make its 4K break. According to the CEA there will be 450000 UHD unit shipments in 2014.
The overt manufacturer hum is that consumers need to get 4K set, stat, yet content creators and analysts counter that there is still little to broadcast.
Content is coming, Netflix and Amazon are committed to 4k programming and Hollywood is heavily lobbying that the content industry needs to up the ante on technology adoption. Amazon has announced that it will shoot all future originals in UHD, while Netflix will stream season 2 of “House of Cards” in 4K using h.265 (HEVC). New TV shows such as ‘The Michael J. Fox Show’ and ‘The Blacklist,’ are already shooting in 4K. For 4K to get production traction the next step will be live 4K production. Sony announced a live-fibre adaptor that will allow its F55 4K camera to be used for live sports, multicamera sitcoms, news and live events.
The notion is that once sport is 4K viable, then the masses will follow.
The barrier is that the whole entertainment ecosystem needs to embrace 4K to get adoption cracking. VOD and SVOD systems are still not 4K compliant. But TV won’t be the only Ultra HD game in town with smaller screens showing they are playing ball at CES also. Dell is pushing PCs with 24-inch and 32-inch Ultra HD displays and Panasonic is hitting the tablet market with a 4K ‘Toughpad’.
Analysts IHS, claim that 2017 will be the turning point year for the readiness of UHD infrastructure but many in the industry disagree. 8K is also just around the corner and may even leapfrog 4K investment.
CombiTel
Specialist IPTV systems integrator focusing on service providers and enterprises. CombiTel offers unmatched value to its clients based on its unique mix of skills and many years of experience in both Telecommunications and Broadcasting. We have a proven track record and happy customers in Australia and New Zealand.
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The era of analogue television officially ended on December 10th in Australia, heralding the new dawn of digital only viewing. In what is anticipated to be a boom for retailers and electronics manufacturers, the switchover also promises to rapidly shift the appetites of the general consumer to more varied methods of digital consumption whether via IPTV, mobile or subscription TV options.
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Despite the vast array of download and play video tools available at your fingertips, adapting them for corporate use is often a huge leap, in both corporate execution and delivery, no matter how easy YouTube makes the distribution experience.
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Digital Signage appears to be taking over the world. Flat screen displays with advertising or informational messages are everywhere. But how often have you seen one that doesn’t look quite right?
