What's beyond HD 1080p?

Norris · 03-31-2007, 12:46 PM

So we've improved the video quality from 480i-->480p-->720p-->1080i-->1080p. I think the ultimate goal is to have video quality IN OUR DISPLAY be the same as what we can see in real life. With that in mind, is there a better, higher-resolution video quality than 1080p?

Zack Gibbs · 03-31-2007, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norris

...I think the ultimate goal is to have video quality IN OUR DISPLAY be the same as what we can see in real life.

23,000p? Probably a bit much.

Neal_C · 03-31-2007, 06:49 PM

NHK in Japan has been working on 7,680 × 4,320 for a few years now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UHDV

Bob_L · 03-31-2007, 11:45 PM

RAF · 04-01-2007, 09:42 PM

While we are now at "2K" with our 1920x1080 displays (the"2K" referring to the 1920 spec being close to 2000), there are rumblings about "4K". There are already some expensive 4K prototypes (SONY has a 4096x2160 device, for example) it will be quite a while before this makes it to the homes of mere mortals.

What about a real world scenario and timetable? At CEDIA 2006 they were talking about 1440p (2560x1440) as the next standard. This will take advantage of some of the added video benefits of HDMI 1.3 (TruColor and increased bandwidth). I expect that we might see prototype displays around 2010 but it will be a long time after that before a lot of 1440p native material is available.

Then comes "Super HDTV" which supposedly addresses something like 2500 x 2000 (although that's not a widescreen ratio so I image that some of the pixels won't make it to a 16:9 screen or even a 2.35:1, etc. screen. Sharp is supposedly dabbling in an "UltraHD format which gives 6000 x 2000 resolution, with some of the pixels thrown away because 3:1 screens are a bit too wide. I'm guessing thats where 2.35:1 screens kick in beyond the anamorphic solutions offered by Runco and others at the moment. At least an UltraHD display would be able to handle "4K" material when it becomes widely available rather than just something to show off in high powered installations.

Of course the question remains if the public would stand for "another" screen aspect ratio revolution. People are talking about 2015 at the earliest and more likely 2020 as a more realistic timeframe for "Super" and "Ultra" HD to possibly kick in.

13 years is an eternity in HT and by 2020 my vision will probably no longer be 2020.

**HTF Ads**

Bob_L · 04-02-2007, 01:52 AM

One more thought -- a disturbing one.

It's always possible that Apple et al (including a number of VOD and download options from several vendors) could derail hi-def video the way they've compromised hi-fi audio: By selling portability and/or accessibility instead of quality, and making the public believe that it's the latest and greatest.

RAF · 04-02-2007, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob_L

One more thought -- a disturbing one.

It's always possible that Apple et al (including a number of VOD and download options from several vendors) could derail hi-def video the way they've compromised hi-fi audio: By selling portability and/or accessibility instead of quality, and making the public believe that it's the latest and greatest.

A most disturbing possibility, Bob. You've hit the nail on the head regarding the dumbing down of quality technology for the masses! The age of the iPod started all this by promoting convenience over quality. Where we once were arguing the merits of SACD and DVD-A over Redbook (Standard) CDs and the price of increased audio fidelity we are now faced with the realization that the ubiquitous AAC codec of iPods has people believing that 192kbps sampling rates represents "quality" music. It sounds O.K. (maybe) through headphones while walking/jogging/casual listening but certainly not quality sound compared to audiophile systems. Everything has its use and its place (I even own a couple of iPods) but let's not make claims that don't stand up to scrutiny. When I start to talk about the wonderful sound capability of lossless and uncompressed audio codecs provided by HD media (sound tracks in the MEGAbps rather than KILObps range) a lot of what I'm saying falls on deaf ears (pun intended) when 192Kbps is considered "great" by some people.

And now comes along Apple TV. Here we go again. If one looks closely at the specs of this unit it quickly becomes clear that this is iPod Nation all over again in the video arena. For one thing, right now this "hot" device doesn't do as much or as well as even an XBox 360 and other devices available regarding moving video around to your various devices. For another, while I can see (hear?) some justification for listening to audio on a small, pocketsized device - where's the rationalization for watching postage sized images on similar video devices? Other than the novelty (and an occasional access to some instant video for specific applications) are we really turning into a culture who will be content with watching feature films in this fashion? I certainly hope not - although I'm willing to wager that many people will do just that.

I wasn't too thrilled when they started down rez'ing audio to fit on iPods. I'm even less happy that now they are beginning to take the same pathway with video. And the irony is that when you are connecting an iPod to a quality audio system - or an Apple TV to a quality video system you will end up with a far inferior AV experience than you would have had if you had simply watched the source material without all this technojuggling.

It's time to stop letting the tail wag the dog, in my opinion. With apologies to Dire Straits, I want my HDTV!

Dave H · 04-02-2007, 09:17 AM

I've heard the next step in consumer-based HDTVs will be upscaling current HD material to 4K.

Rob_Walton · 04-02-2007, 09:21 AM

portable audio is great because you can walk, drive, and workout while you listen. portable video is severly handicapped since you can do none of these things while you watch - unless you've already sold your soul to the devil. it's simply a question of location and usability. music is largely listened to while "on the go", while movies are generally watched in the living room. i doubt that will change much over the next couple of decades.