Japan to start 4K broadcasts in 2014

[digitalbabe]

Per Reuters:

Japan to start 4K TV broadcast in July 2014: report

TOKYO | Sun Jan 27, 2013 12:56am EST

(Reuters) - The Japanese government is set to launch the world's first 4K TV broadcast in July 2014, roughly two years ahead of schedule, to help stir demand for ultra high-definition televisions, the Asahi newspaper reported on Sunday without citing sources.

The service will begin from communications satellites, followed by satellite broadcasting and ground digital broadcasting, the report said.
The 4K TVs, which boast four times the resolution of current high-definition TVs, are now on sale by Japanese makers including Sony Corp (6758.T), Panasonic (6752.T) and Sharp Corp (6753.T). Other manufacturers include South Korea's LG Electronics (066570.KS).
Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications had aimed to kick-start the 4K TV service in 2016. That has been brought forward to July 2014, when the final match of the 2014 football World Cup is set to take place in Brazil, the Asahi report said.

In Japan, the development of super high-definition 8K TVs is in progress, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications plans to launch the test 8K TV broadcast in 2016, two years ahead of schedule, it said.

 

[lgans316]

This has been on the cards for quite some time. NHK has been pushing ultra HD for a long time when I used to live in Japan.

Good to see this come into fruition.

 

[Drum18]

Tx for reminding me that here in Canada, we're still at 1080i..

 

[n3wk1d]

Lucky to have 1080i, here in singpore still at 576p.

 

[alvinhwang21]

o man, i see this as bad new because i will never leave my house :eek:

---------- Post added at 06:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:56 PM ----------

and a potential of the 8k's in 2016 ? should start saving now...

 

[bigrob]

a bit too fast for my liking

they should keep this tech at the cinemas IMHO

 

[Man of Steelbooks]

Crazy Japanese. What will they do next?

 

[WKRP]

Go Japan! They were ahead of the curve with HDTV. I wish our leaders loved tech that much.

 

[denizen]

Totally agree with you, bigrob. This is the main reason why people are reluctant to buy new tech.

 

[thewoe]

SKY hd here in the UK broadcasts in 1080i. Only 1080p content we get is bluray

 

[earthscope]

I saw the 4k OLED TV Panasonic were showing at CES in Las Vagas this year, and the picture was absolutely Stunning...

Would have ordered it there and then if available.

1080p has been around for ages it seems. I'm all for higher resolution pictures and moving forward with technology that further enhances our viewing experience.

Good for Japan !! UK next please...