2 EDITORIAL

Anyone who has had the opportunity to compare HDTV and 4K / UHDTV would have been left with little doubt about the latter ’ s ability to offer comparatively higher image quality .

However , as broadcasters around the world continue to consider the introduction of 4K / UHD services , is the industry on the right track to deliver a true 4K / UHD experience to viewers ?

While one of the main selling points of 4K / UHD has been its promise to deliver four times the pixels ( hence the name 4K ) of HD , does the number of pixels truly contribute to an enhanced viewing experience ?

Experiments led by the EBU on 4K / UHD resolution benefits have shown limited quality improvement , which is also highly dependent on screen size and viewing distance .

This brings the question of practicality into focus . Phil Laven , chairman of the DVB Project , explains that at a viewing distance of 3m , you would require a 160-inch TV screen to be able to enjoy the increased resolution offered by 4K / UHD — not a particularly appealing thought to the average Asian consumer whose living room is rather small .

Increasingly , technologies such as High Dynamic Range ( HDR ), Wide Colour Gamut ( WCG ) and High Frame Rate ( HFR ) are being mentioned in the same breadth as 4K / UHD , simply because it eliminates the conundrum that we highlight above .

Experts APB spoke with unanimously agreed that these parameters , when added into the 4K / UHD ecosystem , offers benefits that will be considerably less dependent on viewing distance and screen size .

It is interesting to note that HDR appears to be making a big leap forward , with the Consumer Electronics Association ( CEA ) recently publishing its definition of an ‘ HDR Compatible Display ’, a development that is likely to hasten the availability of 4K / UHD HDR screens .

As these screens become available , it is perhaps reasonable to expect consumers to ask for content that matches the native resolutions of their displays . Ultimately , the take-up of 4K / UHD will eventually be consumer-driven .

As prices of 4K / UHD screens continue to drop towards the sub-US $ 2,000 level , the issue of affordability will become less relevant ; the availability of content and the ability of consumers to enjoy the full benefits of 4K / UHD will be of more pressing concern .

One event that could potentially offer more insights into HDR + ( HDR + WCG + HFR ) is this month ’ s IABM 2015 Annual Conference , taking place in London on December 3 and 4 .

It is an excellent opportunity to learn what the IABM and its members — manufacturers and suppliers of broadcast and media technology products — think about the direction in which 4K / UHD is heading , and how HDR + fits into the entire 4K / UHD ecosystem .

The benefits of HDR + parameters need not be restricted to 4K / UHD . Broadcasters who have yet to embark on the road to 4K / UHD may want to consider HD HDR .

Indeed , HD HDR can be a particularly attractive proposition for Asia-Pacific broadcasters , many of whom are still transmitting in SD .

As of today , more questions than answers surround HDR +. However , what is certain is that it will be a key discussion point for the broadcast industry in 2016 .

Merry Christmas ... and may we be proactive and nimble in the Year of the Monkey 2016 to overcome the many more digital disruptions to come .

SHAWN LIEW MANAGING EDITOR

December 2015 ( volume 32 issue 10 )

EDITORIAL managing editor Shawn Liew , shawn @ editecintl . com contributing editor Millette Manalo-Burgos , millette @ editecintl . com contributing editor ( technology ) Karl K Rossiter , karl @ editecintl . com reporter Kamarul Arifin Abdul Hafiz , kamarul @ editecintl . com

CORRESPONDENTS

■ India Shirish Nadkarni , shinads @ yahoo . co . uk

■ USA Mike Feazel , mfeazel @ gmail . com

PRODUCTION production editor Zuraini Ridzwan , zuraini @ editecintl . com junior sub-editor Genevieve Chan , genevieve @ editecintl . com senior multimedia designer Raymund Jaudian , raymund @ editecintl . com multimedia designer Zuniga Waldomar Lagmay , waldomar @ editecintl . com ad / office administrator Irene Lok , irene @ editecintl . com accounts executive Tan Hui Min , huimin @ editecintl . com

MARKETING marketing & sales director Jason Lee , jason @ editecintl . com senior sales manager Jessie Tan , jessie @ editecintl . com

CIRCULATION & PROMOTIONS chief community officer Lynn Chee , lynn @ editecintl . com

PUBLISHING publisher / editorial director Andrew Yeo , andrew @ editecintl . com

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