Last year, we got the first taste of what could be next for HDTV -- UHDTV. In fall 2011, an ITU Study group made the announcement that scientists and engineers worldwide were coming together to create technical specifications for ultra high-def television (UHDTV). Now, it looks like they want it standardized as well.
According to Broadcasting & Cable, the International Telecommunication Union's Radiocommunication Sector's (ITU-R) Study Group 6 has drafted up tech details on UHDTV. Now, the group is just waiting for approval.
As a bit of background, current HDTV pictures have the equivalent of between 1 to 2 megapixels. The ITU-R Recommendation lays out UHDTV quality in two steps. The first level of UHDTV would have picture levels equivalent to 8 megapixels (3840 x 2160 image system). The next level would bump that up to 32 megapixels (7680 x 4329 image system). You've probably seen both levels referred to as 4K and 8K. In other words, UHDTV could be somewhere in the neighborhood of 16 times the resolution of current HDTV sets. It would be like having an IMAX theater right in your living room!
Despite some movement on the technology, don't expect to see an UHDTV come to market for at least a few years. Still, it's certainly one step closer.
"This is the dawn of a new age for television that will bring unprecedented levels of realism and viewer enjoyment. It's a historic moment," says David Wood, chairman of ITU-R Working Party 6C (WP 6C). "Some years will pass before we see these systems in our homes, but come they will. The die is now cast, thanks to the untiring efforts of the international experts participating in WP6C."
As added incentive, B&C also says that the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) is already looking into adding ultra-HD standards into their next generation for digital broadcasting, ATSC 3.0. Having the ITU standard would allow the ATSC and other groups to start adding ultra-HD features into their standards for digital broadcasts.
If you want a sneak peek on the development of UHDTV, check out the video below.
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