Japan to start 4K TV in July 2014

[Chris Henze]

Here's the article:

Japan will start the world’s first 4K TV broadcast in July 2014, two years earlier than originally planned.
According to the Asahi Times, the Japanese ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has decided to start broadcasting in 4k during the finals of the football World Cup in Brazil in July 2014.

The first broadcasts will be transmitted via the country’s communication satellites rather than via the direct broadcast satellites. However, usage of BS satellites is planned at a later stage.

Originally, the Japanese were planning to launch 4K broadcast in 2016. The move to bring the world’s first regular 4K broadcasts” forward is intended to boast 4K television set sales. The UltraHD televisions are now on sale by Japanese makers including Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba and Sharp as well as from Korean manufacturers such as LG.

There is also testing for 4K broadcast of F1 races. I wonder, should I buy an overpriced 2K camera, because is has a familiar name, or slay everybody with the Dragon? It's really too ridiculous to even ask and has been for a while.

http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2013/01/28/japan-to-start-4k-tv-in-july-2014/

 

[Peter Proniewicz-Brooks]

The BBC are also starting 4k production, though no word when it will be broadcast as 4k.

The BBC Natural History Unit have started shooting already for a 4k production, with the intent I believe that a 4k master will be produced so that when 4k broadcasts begin it's ready to go, though it will likely see the light as a HD broadcast much earlier (though who knows it may see 4k release another way before it is broadcast in 4k).

The BBChas also mentioned that they are researching 8k for the future.