NHK smashes the 4K barrier

Philip Wong | Jun 19, 2008

In today’s world of broadcasting and commercial display technologies, video resolution seems to be the name of the game as we progress from full-HD to 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels), and now 8K (7,680 x 4,320 pixels) ultra-high-definition format. Developed by NHK, this Japanese prototype system is capable of displaying 32 megapixels' worth or 16 times more details than any consumer panel.

The theater on demonstration at CommunicAsia comprises two LCoS projectors with a combined 8,000 lumens brightness and a towering 6.6m x 3.7m 300-inch projection screen. If you think that is impressive, wait till you have a go at its triple-tier 22.2-channel cinema sound system. We're talking dual subwoofers, three, 10 and nine speakers at the bottom, screen level and overhead.

To reproduce the brilliant image clarity, the Japanese broadcaster has also developed a matching 8K studio camera, hard drive recorder and a high-bandwidth optical transmission system via IP networking. If you've missed this once-in-a-lifetime experience, you could visit Japan's Kyushu National Museum and pop by its Theater 4000 equipped with the same 300-incher instead.

More CommunicAsia 2008 coverage here.

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