As we have adjusted to high definition digital television, it’s hard to believe that just last decade, we were still using the standard definition box TV sets to watch sports. But the TV industry is looking beyond 1080p HDTV and experimenting with ultra high definition.
You may have seen the 4K TV sets on sale at various electronics stores or you might even own one. The pictures in 4K are much clearer than the 1080p that we have become familiar. But networks aren’t depending on 4K as the future for sports television. They’re already experimenting with 8K ultra high definition.
NHK of Japan recently conducted an 8K test at the Women’s World Cup in Canada and that was deemed a success. Coming up this weekend, NHK will set up cameras at Yankee Stadium for the Seattle-New York series to conduct another 8K test. Now you won’t be able to watch the games as they won’t be broadcast except to an in-house audience of select media and industry insiders who will be watching at the Stadium.
You might be wondering why there’s a rush for 8K when 4K ultra HD units are just beginning to take hold. It’s because Japan broadcasters want to produce the 2020 Tokyo Winter Olympics in 8K and China’s desire to keep up with new formats.
But even with 8K looming down the road, Samsung is already developing 11K Super Ultra High Definition that could be on smartphones by 2019.
It’s all information overload for consumers, but at the same time, it’s loads of excitement for television executives who hope that the next levels in HD can hook viewers especially with sports.
It seems far away, but as the 8K test takes place this weekend, ultra high definition is closer to coming into your living room than you might think.