A report on European broadcast filed by Credit Suisse anticipates Ultra HDTV (U-HD) test channels go on-air running up to 2017 – broadcasters in the US and Europe are expected to be roll out U-HD in 2015/16.
The ‘next generation’ broadcasting standard uses a 3,840 x 2,160 pixel format (8.3 megapixels, 4K resolution) which, in the opinion of the CS report will appeal to news satellite broadcasters, as it will increase the demand for satellite bandwidth. Similarly, there is likely to be greater demand from pay-TV, which is expected to lead the adoption of the new technology.
According to the Advanced-Television website, ‘the 4K television segment recently has garnered attention with Japanese manufacturer Sony announcing an 84-inch 4K LCD-TV priced at US$25,000. LG Electronics of South Korea also launched an 84-inch LCD-TV for US$20,000. Japan’s Toshiba is offering a 55-inch model priced at US$10,000. For their part, Chinese brands Hisense and Konka announced that they will launch 84-inch 4K sets this year.’
‘We forecast five Ultra HD (4k) channels will be up in 2013, growing to 135 by the end of 2017,’ the report states. ‘From the HDTV launch in the late 1990s/early 2000s, the number of HDTV channels grew to 548 in 2010, after roughly ten years, and reached 797 by the end of 2011.
