While 4K TVs are carving out a niche market for themselves, electronic giants Sony and Panasonic are already planning the next step ahead. The companies are planning to release 8K TVs, also known as Super Hi-Vision, in time for Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Sony and Panasonic will be joining hands with Japanese national broadcaster NHK for this purpose. According to Nikkei, the companies will assist NHK in research and development of appropriate technologies. NHK has already announced its plan to broadcast Olympics 2020 in 8K format. The broadcaster carried out select test 8K broadcast for Rio Olympics as well.
Slashgear reports that currently only Sharp has an 8K TV under its belt. The model was released late last year and is priced at $157,000. Apart from formidable pricing, lack of compatible content is another roadblock for 8K TVs. These TVs will be able to offer 4 times sharper resolution than the current 4K standard and 16 times sharper than 1080p. At the very same time, it will also require four times the bandwidth of 4K format.
NHK is widely considered to be a pioneer in the field of broadcast. It debuted HD TV format in the 1980s, almost a decade before its mass market release. For Rio Olympics, the company provided select footage along with other content such as a pop music concert in 8K format. Due to relative unavailability of 8K TVs, the company organized public viewing stations.
Sony is reportedly planning to sell its 8K TVs by 2020. Panasonic, on the other hand, is keeping its cards close to its chest. NHK is looking to start mass broadcasting of 8K format in 2018.
