In 2016, during the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in Brazil, Japan's NHK made headlines with its 8K live broadcast of the opening ceremony. Many viewers were captivated by the stunning clarity and realism that 8K resolution offered. Whether it was the sharpness of the images or the smooth frame rate, it felt as if they were right there at the event. Compared to the more common 4K resolution, 8K offers four times the number of pixels, which is 16 times that of 1080p. This massive leap in resolution has left many who have experienced it in awe.
In August this year, Sharp introduced the world’s first consumer-grade 8K TV, marking the beginning of a new era for 8K technology. Despite the impressive performance of 4K TVs, public awareness of 8K remains limited. Today, let’s explore what 8K is and how Sharp is leading the charge in this exciting field.
What is 8K?
Starting from 1080p, many HD enthusiasts have always been chasing higher resolution. From 1080p to 2K, and then to 4K, the quest for better image quality has never stopped. In this context, 8K was born to push television resolution even further. Currently, most digital content is based on Full HD, often called 2K, with a resolution of 1920x1080—about 2 million pixels. As 4K TVs gain popularity, their resolution is 3840x2160, offering around 8 million pixels—four times that of 2K.
With 8K resolution, the screen reaches 7680x4320, which is approximately 33 million pixels. In terms of sharpness, 8K is four times that of 4K and 16 times that of 2K. Even when sitting close to a 4K TV, you might still notice tiny "pixels," but with 8K, the picture appears completely smooth and immersive, allowing viewers to experience the full power of high-resolution displays.
Currently, 8K TVs support the Super Hi-Vision (SHV) standard, established in 2012. They use 12-bit color depth and the Rec. 2020 color space. Unlike 4K TVs, which typically run at 60 frames per second, 8K requires a minimum of 120 frames per second and supports 22.2 audio channels. From a technical standpoint, 8K represents a major step forward in display technology.
What Can 8K Bring Us?
The content for 8K TVs follows the "Super-Hi-Vision" standard, developed by the Japanese Broadcasting Association, BBC, and RAI. It sets higher requirements for resolution, color depth, frame rate, and audio compared to 4K.
Firstly, in terms of resolution, 8K provides a much clearer image than 4K. When watching on a 4K TV, you may notice small pixels up close, which can affect the viewing experience. However, 8K eliminates this issue, delivering a seamless visual experience. The viewing angle of 8K TVs also improves significantly, reaching up to 100 degrees—almost matching the human eye's natural range of 120 degrees. This enhances immersion and detail visibility.
In addition to sharper images, 8K also offers richer color expression. According to the SHV standard, 8K TVs use 12-bit color depth, which means over 4,096 colors. This results in smoother transitions between colors and a more realistic visual experience. With more colors, 8K TVs can display scenes that are closer to reality.
Moreover, 8K brings faster frame rates. While 4K TVs typically operate at 60 frames per second, 8K demands 120 frames per second. This makes motion appear smoother and reduces the chances of motion blur, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
How Close Are We to the 8K Era?
Although 8K looks promising, it is still not widely available in homes. Several factors contribute to this. First, the availability of 8K content is limited. Even after purchasing an 8K TV, consumers may not immediately see the benefits. Second, the large file size of 8K videos poses challenges for storage and transmission. Finally, the high cost of 8K TVs due to low panel yields also limits their adoption.
However, companies like Sharp are working hard to make 8K more accessible. Sharp has partnered with ASTRODESIGN to develop 8K cameras and plans to mass-produce them in 2018. With the arrival of 5G, video transmission speeds will improve, making 8K content easier to distribute. Additionally, Sharp is preparing to start mass production of 8K panels next year. Meanwhile, Japan’s NHK is set to launch the first global 8K channel in 2018, signaling a major step toward 8K mainstream adoption.
Whether for consumers or the TV industry, the arrival of 8K is an inevitable result of technological progress. With ongoing improvements in both content and hardware, 8K is expected to become a part of everyday life, offering an unparalleled viewing experience.
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