i3 - November/December 2020 - 23

WHOLESALE DTV SALES
(IN THOUSANDS)
For a simple look at video display preferences, this graph
compares sales forecasts for standard HDTV, 4K and 8K.

40000
4K
20000
8K
1080p

0
2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Source: CTA's Technology Five-Year Industry Forecast, 2019-2024, July 2020

Lori K. Schwartz is also upbeat about VR and volumetric video, a graphic
display process that forms a visual representation of an object in three
physical dimensions. Such images - often avatars or virtual products - are
often blended into a "real" video environment, creating a hybrid presence
in which ultra HD backgrounds add to the realism. This visualization is
popular in videogames as well as in reality shows. Schwartz cites
"Supernatural," an in-home immersive VR fitness service, in which photogrammetric instructors (based on real, live people) lead customized workouts and can interact with individuals.
Before they move to 8K production, Schwartz, principal at Stritch and a
governor of the TV Academy, expects creatives to focus on VR production.
She points to the intense expansion of "Web VR" which allow viewers to
experience VR in a browser.

GETTING THE SIGNAL

One major factor affecting the adoption of 8K displays is how to get video
content onto the screen. Near-term use is focused on upconverting DVD and
other packaged programming, which the current equipment does effectively.
Next up is videogames. Sony's PlayStation 5 and Microsoft's Xbox Series X
consoles are expected to output 8K graphics this year.
For TV broadcasters, who are rolling out NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0 format),
8K is one of the bandwidth options. "Broadcasters are working hard to
ensure that the initial service offering addresses the features of ATSC 3.0
that tested highest in consumer research, most notably advanced video and
audio, voice boost and other new features," says Madeleine Noland, president of the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC).
In its report on standards and recommended practices, ATSC's Planning
Team 4 encouraged "evolvability" to facilitate the launch of future video
technologies. It encourages "all stakeholders in the broadcast ecosystem to
contemplate and identify additional aspects of industry evolution."
Samsung has several 8K sets on the market with NextGen TV tuners in
a super-premium 8K set, CTA's Koenig explains, predicting that more
NextGen 8K receivers will "trickle out" in the coming year. Of course, there
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i3_1120_20-23_Feature_8k video.indd 23

will also be a "broader diversity" of 4K/
NextGen sets too, suggesting a "low rise"
in sales for the next year, he says.
"The real come-out year for NextGen
TV is 2022, when about 10% of new TV
sets will have a NextGen tuner - both in
4K and 8K sets," Koenig adds.
Given the bandwidth demands of 8K,
the cable industry is exploring how to
transmit 8K UHD on its broadband networks. Juan Martin, CTO/co-founder of
over-the-top platform provider Firstlight
Media, is taking a long perspective.
"To understand adoption of new technology, we have to look at screens, content and
distribution," Martin says. "The bandwidth
demand for 8K will likely be two to three
times that of 4K. That means faster internet
connections and higher monthly quotas."
Martin is focused on ultra-scalable,
cloud-based platforms that use AI broadband operators. He believes "digital live
experiences" will become one of the most
fascinating factors in 8K evolution.
A handful of streaming video services
(YouTube, Netflix) are offering some 8K
content to viewers who have sufficient
broadband bandwidth service - at least
40 to 50 Mbps, although some experts
believe that at least 100 Mbps is needed
for full 8K signal reception.
NPD Group's Stephen Baker believes
that 8K's reliance on big bandwidth is a
"positive trend." He explains, "During the
pandemic more people are updating their
home internet services and, in conjunction with the growth of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi
6e over the next couple of years, 8K bandwidth issues will not be a gating factor."
And inevitably, work is already underway on the next great leap in display technology: 16K.
Sony envisions its Crystal LED screen
manufacturing technique, previewed at
CES three years ago, can be used for 16K
theater-sized screens: 63 feet and even
wider. 16K screens will have 132.7 million
pixels (15360×8640-pixel density) and
four times the resolution of 4K screens.
The pixel wars are far from over.

2021

LEARN about the latest video advances
including 8K during CES 2021.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

10/20/20 10:18 AM

https://firstlightmedia.com/ https://firstlightmedia.com/ https://www.ces.tech/ https://cta.tech/i3

i3 - November/December 2020

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