The cutting-edge IT & electronics comprehensive exhibition, “CEATEC 2013,” is taking place at Makuhari Messe (Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan) from October 1st to the 5th. Under the new brand slogan, “A Better Life, A Better World,” Panasonic introduced its “4K World” that is expanding from BtoB to BtoC. Recently, 4K has become a hot topic. But let’s start from the beginning. What is 4K? And what can you do with it now, and how will it enrich our lives in the future? We’ll answer these questions as we explore the booth.
What are 4K TVs?
These are TVs that have 4 times the resolution of full HD.
If you look at an LCD TV up close, you can see clusters of very small dots, which are also known as pixels. And when we have even smaller pixels, the images can become even richer, more elaborate. A 4K (or 4K2K) TV refers to TVs with a resolution comprised of 3840 dots going across, and 2160 dots placed vertically. This is 4 times the number of pixels as full HD TVs (1920 x 1080) that we have become accustomed to, so it can display images in exquisite detail and impeccable resolution.
Why do we need 4K?
We recommend 4K if you want to enjoy content on a large screen.
The key reason is that TVs are becoming larger and larger. When the screen is small, it wouldn’t be much of a problem even if the pixels are rough, but with a big screen pixilation becomes more noticeable. The super high resolution of a 4K TV offers a far more immersive viewing experience.
What can we enjoy now?
You can enjoy 4K movies online or PC games created in 4K resolution.
Because 4K broadcasting hasn’t begun yet, many of you may be thinking, “Even if we bought a 4K TV, there would be nothing to watch.” But TVs are no longer a simple tool for watching TV broadcasting. There are a lot of 4K content available online, and because the 4K VIERA is embedded with the DisplayPort(TM) 1.2a, a global standard for PCs, you can enjoy high quality PC games created in 4K in its native resolution.
What are the other features of the 4K VIERA?
4K Intelligent Frame Creation renders smooth images with little ghosting.
This technology analyzes video shot at 30/60fps and adds intermediate frames using high-precision motion detection to reproduce images as a super smooth sequence.
What is the future outlook of 4K?
2014 – 4K broadcasting will begin in Japan.
In 2020, Tokyo will host the Olympic Games once again. Japan’s national broadcasting station, NHK has already created a roadmap leading up to the Games to make it possible for its viewers to enjoy 4K and 8K content. More specifically, it intends to begin 4K broadcasting in 2014. People who buy 4K TVs before the broadcasting begins will be able to enjoy the new 4K programming using a set top box.
New possibilities in the business arena
The impressive picture quality of 4K will significantly impact the business world.
The 4K tablet PC, TOUGHPAD, which will become available in December 2013, will help businesses take advantage of the remarkable amount of information 4K provides. For example, the large 20-inch screen of the tablet PC that can display A3-size documents nearly in full size may be used for digital catalogs and medical viewers. You can also add personal notes with the optional touch pen. Panasonic proposed ideas for different applications such as for medical, cosmetics, and digital museums.
The dawn of the 4K era
The way we enjoy television continues to diversify, and TV screens are becoming larger and larger. As such, 4K is no longer a “technology of the near future;” It is a technology that you can “enjoy now and in the future.” CEATEC JAPAN will take place until October 5th. Please come by and witness the dawn of a new era.
Source: Panasonic.com