Audio Video News

The transition from 4K to next-gen 8K may still be a ways off but it is coming and just like 4K nudged out standard high-definition (HD) as the go-to video format over the past decade, 8K is on a path to becoming the video resolution of choice.

To that end, the 8K Association (8KA) today announced a multifaceted global education and promotion campaign intended to accelerate industrywide adoption of 8K content, products, and services.

The move highlights how recent advances in content production, display technology, and video processing are making 8K a “compelling value proposition for entertainment enthusiasts seeking a more powerful viewing experience, with the potential to drive greater adoption of ultra-high definition entertainment in the coming decade,” according to the 8KA, a not-for-profit organization comprising technology companies in the consumer and professional markets.

The program will be formally unveiled in early September at CEDIA Expo 2024 where the association will release a free whitepaper entitled “Seeing the Bigger Picture” in addition to running 8K demonstrations and sponsoring panel discussions on 8K technology. The 18-page whitepaper examines the technology, science, content, and business strategies behind 8K.

The ultra-high-resolution 8K format is poised to capture 6 percent of all TV sales by 2027, according to recent estimates from Display Supply Chain Consultants, which has also released has data confirming that diagonal screen sizes of 70 inches and larger are now the fastest growing segment in new TV sales, with a projected increase of 28 percent in 2024 over the previous year.

The association contends the trend toward ever-increasing TV screen sizes is dramatically changing expectations of the TV buying public, compelling consumers to seek more realistic and immersive viewing experiences.

“Thanks to major advancements in such diverse fields as data processing, spatial imaging, and video compression, 8K is poised for substantial growth and this will provide exciting new opportunities for both AV specialists and custom integrators alike,” said Mike Fidler, executive director of the 8K Association. “The time to embrace 8K technology is now.”

Efforts to drive 8K adoption began in April at the 2024 National Broadcasters Association (NAB) convention where the 8KA sponsored in cooperation with IMAX, Intel, Red Digital Cinema, and Spin Digital demonstrations showing how the new video codecs can stream 8K content far more efficiently than previous codecs. The group also conducted a panel discussion about the progress that has been made in developing a complete 8K workflow ecosystem.

In June, the 8KA joined Hisense in promoting 8K TV and, in July ,worked with Intel to demonstrate how the latest Xeon processor could be used in conjunction with Spin Digital’s VVC encoder to stream the 2024 Paris Olympics in 8K. The association will also have a presence at the upcoming International Broadcast Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam and IFA Berlin 2024.

The 8K Association’s stated mission is to promote and encourage expansion of the 8K ecosystem among consumers and professionals through educational programs and efforts around standards and product certification. For more information, visit 8kassociation.com.