Here Comes 16K!!!
Rumors are swirling! Sharp is getting ready to ship 8K displays only 4 years ahead of any real content and others seem to be hot on their heels.
With the rapid proliferation of 4K and the current, unwieldy amount of content, infrastructure, and bandwidth currently available to distribute it, it is only natural that we’re pushing the resolution envelope even further!!!
Sure, SMPTE has expressed concerns about how to compress 4K in order to distribute it through existing 1080i digital networks, but there is another group of engineers who say we should stop being so SMPTE minded.
The Society of Television Picture Infrastructure Techologists (SToP IT) is pushing to broadcast this year’s BIG GAME in 16K.
When asked how they could accomplish this given all the current limitations and concerns, they gave us their strategy in this rAVe exclusive.
“We plan to film the BIG GAME with an array of four separate 8K cameras with each capturing 1/4 of the shot. We will then compress this to a bandwidth compatible with 4K distribution, and transmit each of the four cameras on separate channels allowing the displays in a 2×2 video wall of 8K displays to play back each channel on the four individual displays. The final result is a 16K display!”
When asked how they would compress the 8K content down to fit through a 4K pipeline, SToP IT answered,
“Since the eyes see contrast first and foremost, we wanted to increase contrast by eliminating gamma and we found a lot of space there. We also knew that the 3:2 pulldown in a 60Hz signal causes some issues with picture integrity, so we went back to 24 fps and then cut that in half to find the rest.”
Of course the cable providers still can’t handle anything over 1080i, so you’ll have to stream the signals. Each TV will also be equipped with 5G as well, which means you should upgrade your data plan to 922 GB for the 4 hour game to avoid data overcharges.
The ingenuity is astounding, at least to this AV Blogger. I can’t wait to see the BIG GAME in 16K on a 2×2 array of 8K displays in all of its black and white 12 fps glory this winter!!!
It almost makes you want to chant for this group of engineers for striking an amazing balance between excessive pixel technology and real world compromise.
SToP It! SToP It! SToP It! (Cheer clap)