NHK

History

2018: The beginning of broadcasting in format 8K

At the beginning of December, 2018 broadcasting of the first-ever TV channel in format 8K began. Told about such achievement in NHK company.

"The space Odyssey of 2001" of Stanley Kubrick became the first movie in a 8K-format at which it is possible to look on TV channel. To provide the corresponding quality, the television station of Warner Bros. Entertainment had to digitize a 70-mm film again.

8K there corresponds   resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels that is about 16 times higher in comparison with the HD format in which by December, 2018 most TV channels in the world conduct demonstration though the Full HD format and 4K also gradually gains popularity.

There began work the first-ever TV channel in format 8K

In addition to improved image quality, broadcastings in a 8K-format have an advanced sound — volume 28-channel.

The started NHK TV channel will show transfers and movies of 12 hours in day. Among them — forward translations from Italy in which journalists will light "sights, popular with tourists, in Rome and also food, culture and history".

However, not everyone will be able to watch 8K-content on the channel. First, the TVs and prefixes supporting such format by the beginning of December, 2018 are not enough in the market, and they cost much. For example, only the satellite receiver supporting 8K from Sharp company is offered at the price about $2200. Still it is necessary to purchase four HDMI cables for image output, one separate cable for a sound and the TV which cost is about $15 thousand.

Because of small initial audience of NHK 8K-TV channel his creators will repeatedly broadcast transmissions in repetition. In March, 2019 demonstration of the movie "My fair lady" with Audrey Hepburn in a leading role is planned.

It is worth reminding that the first video on YouTube with format 8K appeared even in the summer of 2015.^[1]

Notes