How are Content Providers Preparing for 4K TV
4K TV (TV in Ultra HD) is here, a technological advance bringing a display that’s four times the quality of current HD televisions. The immersion and realism of the display is striking, but there are a few problems the television manufacturers need to overcome. The most apparent one is the price as early adopters are paying up to $25,000 for a set. The second problem might be content. How long is it going to take content providers to get on board with the 4K revolution?
Content Difficulties
Everyone in Hollywood already has 4K content covered, according to GeekExchange, with most new films being shot and mastered in 4K. However, they’re not giving it up. Hollywood already has enough problems battling piracy and butting heads in the intellectual battlefield.
There’s another elephant in the room when it comes to Ultra HD: the file size. Streaming media is the main form of entertainment delivery for many people, and that requires bandwidth. It simply takes longer to get the content — citing an article from Wired.com — the Internet speed needed successfully to stream this type of file that requires only about 20 mbps for downloads. However, uneven broadband penetration in the U.S. means some areas are much better suited for the content than others.
Meanwhile, Google Fiber is slowly making its way to each city, and it’s currently getting deployed in its third city, Provo, Utah. It brings connection speeds of about 1,000 mbps to homes and businesses, and that’s the type of connection 4K quality videos really need. For some people, it’s worth waiting for, but not everyone has a desire to spend time waiting for quality content. A massive broadband upheaval is needed to support the total bandwidth needed for the quality increase.
Content Commitment
Sony is extremely dedicated in getting 4K content together for these televisions, according to CNN. That makes sense as Sony is a major television manufacturer, along with creating several cameras in Ultra HD. The Sony and Intel both stream 4K content. Intel is also looking at providing content bundles, similar to television packages listed for cable TV. However, even though Sony is wholeheartedly behind the venture, it’s going to take some time before 4K streaming really takes off and gets loaded up with content.
Netflix always looks to future technology, and the service is amicable to getting 4K content streaming. They’re creating 4K versions of its original programming series, such as “House of Cards,” as well as looking into getting high-quality deals from existing studios and content providers.
What’s your opinion on 4K TV? Are you an early adopter, or are you waiting until content is widely available? Let us know in the comments..
