8K prime-time?
Have you noticed the 8K televisions displayed on retail floors and online websites?
Are you excited to view 8K’s-promise of unprecedented video resolution and dynamic color?
Are you anxious to pull the 8K trigger?
Are you prepared for the current hefty 8K price tags?
Are you waiting for 8K prices to drop?
Is 8K yet even ready for prime-time?
CE Pro reported that ‘Display Supply Chain Consultants’ (industry research group) stated 8K UltraHD is poised to represent 6% of TV sales by 2027, which coincides with 70-inch and larger screens becoming the fastest-growing segment in TV sales.
Larger screens are the prime candidates for exploiting 8K UltraHD video.
But how does only 6% of projected sales boost 8K’s prospects?
The 6% represents early adopter purchases.
Early adopters pay high prices for the latest state-of-the-art advancements.
Their investments often precede lower competitive prices and new tech success.
If 8K follows this course, 8K will reach widespread sales.
Future adopters will gain affordable access to 8K UltraHD video.
8K ‘film’ inventory, broadcasting, and streaming are emerging.
Sony, LG, & Samsung offer 8K OLED, QD-OLED, QNED, & mini LED LCD TVs.
Internet streaming is leading 8K delivery.
Cable & 5G support 8K streaming with reliable Internet bandwidth.
In addition, the Sony PS5 Pro and the R_volution media player-one pledge to support 8K.
However, this is the message for future 8K adopters.
8K UltraHDTV is not yet ready for ‘prime time’.
However, while they delay their purchase, they should take this time to investigate:
• 8K constraints
• 8K essentials
• The 8K pipeline
Before the investigation proceeds
Let’s define 8K resolution – the number of screen lines and pixels per line.
8K consists of 4320 lines by 7680 pixels per line.
That approaches 8000 pixels per line – hence the term 8K.
• 8K produces well over 33 million screen pixels.
• 33 million equals four times the number of 4K pixels.
• It equals 16 times the number of HDTV pixels.
For perspective, look at the illuminating pixels of a 50-inch TV screen.
HDTV pixels are essentially invisible from a typical viewing position.
Up close, you’ll need a magnifying glass to see a 4K TV pixel.
You’ll need the magnifying glass and a large screen (≥ 65″) to see an 8K pixel.
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If you can’t see 8K pixels, how can they offer any benefit?
Well, improvement does become readily evident on a 100-inch or larger screen.
Remarkably, smaller screen sizes can also benefit from 8K.
How, you ask?
Although you may not “see” the pixels, your brain still responds.
As resolution increases to 8K and beyond, the brain begins processing the picture as the real world.
That is why the possibility of 16K is valid.
8K or more resolution can perform more like a window than a television screen.
That’s exciting.
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8K constraints, essentials, & the pipeline
Constraints
• Even though filmmakers have created a sizable 8K inventory, programmers are not yet prepared
to distribute mainstream 8K movies or television.
Movie theaters currently down-convert 8K ‘films’ to 4K.
• YouTube, Vimeo, & Prexels streaming host mostly short-form wildlife 8K clips.
• While NextGenTV 8K broadcast is feasible, it will probably remain limited to 4K.
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Essentials
8K UltraHD employs and relies on the following video technologies.
• High Efficiency Video Coding
HEVC compression reduces the required Internet 8K streaming bandwidth.
Additional VVC and EVC codecs are also in play.
• High Definition Multimedia Interface version 2.1b
HDMI 2.1b jacks, plugs, & interconnects permit 8K passage from the source to the TV.
Plus, HDMI interconnecting cable conveniently links audio & video via a single cable.
However, HDMI primarily prevents unauthorized pirating of content.
• High Dynamic Range
HDR expands the difference between black and the brightest white light.
It simultaneously displays the brightest highlights and darkest shadow detail.
HDR also increases the color gamut.
• Wide Color Gamut
WCG extends the range of color via 10-bit and 12-bit color depth.
The HDR WCG partnership can reproduce from one billion to over four billion colors.
• 8K AI Video Scaling
AI scaling up converts/modifies lower resolution HD & 4K UHD pixels to align/mate with 8K-UltraHD screens. A mismatch would create a blurry screen.
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The pipeline
8K resolution, high dynamic range, and wide color gamut rely on HDMI component jacks, plugs, and interconnects. Each component in the ‘pipeline’ from the source to the television must meet HDMI 2.1b specifications. Lack of compliance leads to blank, intermittent, noisy, or downgraded images.
However, an HDMI 2.1b labeled component may not meet 2.1b specs.
Confirm the TV, video source, AV receiver/pre-pro, and HDMI cables meet 2.1b specifications.
Confirmation requires online research or trial & error experimenting.
In addition, current 8K product may not maintain compatibility with future 8K products.
This condition requires replacing the ‘guilty’ TV, AV receiver/pre-pro, source player, or HDMI interconnect.
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Are you ready to …
If or when you’re ready, secure, ensure your 8K expectations.
Consider 8K constraints, confirm 8K essentials, and verify 8K pipeline compliance.
That’s it for today
8K UltraHD Related Links
CEPro Link to CEPro story cited above.
Ed’s AV Handbook HDR Formats, Wide Color Gamut, HDMI
8K Association All things 8K.
HDMI Official Website HDMI 2.1b specification technology overview.
MPEG Group Website The Moving Pictures Expert Group High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC).
PC Mag High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Color Gamut. Types of HDR.
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