Audio Video News

Sharp Expands Distribution of 8K TV

SV Staff  |  Apr 23, 2018

Momentum is starting to slowly build for the next generation of super high-resolution 8K TVs.

Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) has said it plans to start regular satellite broadcasting of 4K/8K content by the end of the year and showcased its latest 8K technologies at the recent National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention.

Now Sharp is expanding distribution of the 8K TV it introduced last fall in China, Japan, and Taiwan. The 70-inch Aquos LV-70X500E will start rolling out in Europe over the next week or so, the company announced. The TV in all its 33 million pixel glory will cost around $14,000.

The prospect of a 7,680 x 4,320 television with four times as many pixels as current 4K/Ultra HD sets has been met with some skepticism. Expressing a sentiment held by many, The Verge’s Thomas Ricker observed:

Of course, you’ll need to stop and ask yourself if the premium you’ll pay for an 8K TV in 2018 is a smart use of your trust fund. There’s very little 8K content to watch, and you’ll need to be sitting ridiculously close to those 7,680 x 4,320 pixels before seeing any advantage over 4K TVs that can be had for a fraction of the price. But if you’ve got the means and an overwhelming fear of missing out, then hey, have at it, sucker.
8K TVs are expected to start making their way to the U.S. later this year. Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) and Insight Media estimates that sales of 8K TVs will amount to about 0.1 million units by the end of the year and scale up to 5.8 million by 2022. Sales are projected to hit 0.3 million units next year and crack a million units in 2020.

COMMENTS
Billy's picture
Submitted by Billy on April 23, 2018 - 5:52pm

I'm holding out for 64K, need a new bedroom TV. Is it just me, or is this getting absurd? Before 8K takes hold, virtual reality will surpass it. We need tiny mega pixel displays for VR, not on an 80 inch TV set. Come on boys, hop to it! Or better yet, a direct mind implant that would be true VR, now thats the ticket! Everyone must remember what proliferated the acceptance of video tape, hmmmmm? Imagine that application with the best "full sensory" VR. I might never leave home. (And they think CELL PHONES are addictive!!

brenro's picture
Submitted by brenro on April 24, 2018 - 8:18am

Why don't manufacturers concern themselves with the picture quality of their current sets? Everything currently available requires the buyer to compromise in some way.

prerich45's picture
Submitted by prerich45 on April 24, 2018 - 10:12am

4K is it for me!!!! I just bought a 4k projector during Christmas and it's more than enough - I can't even see the pixels close up anymore!!! 4K+MadVR+SVP gives me everything I want.

talkaboutsv's picture
Submitted by talkaboutsv on April 26, 2018 - 5:06pm

As someone who just ordered a new 4K set this morning I say...bring it on! Another cycle of bashing next gen technology just because we own the current gen = silly (especially from so-called enthusiasts). 8K, along with the related improvements in colors, contrast, etc. that will certainly be bundled with it will be great and you know it.

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