8K resolution

Comparison chart

8K resolution or FUHD (Full Ultra HD) is the highest ultra high definition television (UHDTV) resolution to exist in digital television and digital cinematography. 8K refers to the horizontal resolution of these formats, which all are on the order of 8,000 pixels, forming the total image dimensions (7680×4320).[1] 8K is a display resolution that may eventually be the successor to 4K resolution. 1080p is the current mainstream HD standard, with TV manufacturers pushing for 4K to become a new standard by 2017,[2] although the feasibility of such a fast transition as well as the practical necessity of a new standard is questionable.[3]

One advantage of high-resolution displays such as 8K is to have each pixel be indistinguishable from another to the human eye from a much closer distance. On an 8K screen sized 52 inches, this effect would be achieved in a distance of 50.8 cm (20 inches) from the screen, and on a 92 in screen at 91.44 cm (3 feet) away. Another practical purpose of this resolution is in combination with a cropping technique used in film editing. This allows filmmakers to film in a high resolution such as 8K, with a wide lens, or at a farther distance from a potentially dangerous subject, intending to zoom and crop digitally in post-production, a portion of the original image to match a smaller resolution such as the current industry standard for High-definition televisions (1080p, 720p & 480p).[4]

Few video cameras have the capability to film in 8K, with NHK being one of the only companies to have created a small broadcasting camera with an 8K image sensor.[5] Sony and Red Digital Cinema Camera Company are both working to bring larger 8K sensors in more of their cameras in the coming years.[5] Although it is unlikely that 8K will become a mainstream resolution anytime soon, a major reason filmmakers are pushing for 8K cameras is to get better 4K footage. Through a process called downsampling, using a higher resolution 8K image downsampled to 4K could create a sharper picture with richer colors than a 4K camera would be able to achieve on its own with a lower resolution sensor.[5]

History

Astro Design 8K camera being displayed at the 2013 NAB Show
NHK and Hitachi demonstrating their 8K camera at the 2013 NAB Show

On January 6, 2015, the MHL Consortium announced the release of the superMHL specification which will support 8K resolution at 120 fps, 48-bit video, the Rec. 2020 color space, high dynamic range support, a 32-pin reversible superMHL connector, and power charging of up to 40 watts.[6][7][8]

First cameras

On April 6, 2013, Astro Design announced the AH-4800, capable of recording 8K resolution. On April 2015 Red announced their Red Weapon, which is also capable of recording 8k.

Productions

An 8K scan/4K intermediate digital restoration of Lawrence of Arabia was made for Blu-ray and theatrical re-release during 2012 by Sony Pictures to celebrate the film's 50th anniversary.[9][10] According to Grover Crisp, executive VP of restoration at Sony Pictures, the new 8K scan has such high resolution that when examined, showed a series of fine concentric lines in a pattern "reminiscent of a fingerprint" near the top of the frame. This was caused by the film emulsion melting and cracking in the desert heat during production. Sony had to hire a third party to minimise or eliminate the rippling artefacts in the new restored version.[9]

On May 17, 2013, the Franklin Institute premiered To Space And Back, an 8K×8K, 60 fps, 3D video running approximately 25 minutes. During its first run at the Fels Planetarium it was played at 4K, 60 fps.[11]

Broadcasting

Japanese public broadcaster NHK began research and development on 8K in 1995, having spent over $1B on the resolution since then.[12] Codenamed Super Hi-Vision, NHK also was simultaneously working on the development of 22.2 channel surround sound audio, aiming for mainstream broadcasting by the year 2032.[12][13] Experimental transmissions of the resolution were tested with the London 2012 Olympic Games, and at the Cannes Film Festival showcasing Beauties À La Carte, a 27 minute shortfilm showcased publicly on a 220” screen. The world's first 8K television was unveiled by Sharp at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2013.[14]

Resolutions

10080 × 4320 21:9 43.5 megapixels
8192 × 4320 ~17:9 35.4 megapixels
7680 × 4320 16:9 33.2 megapixels
8192 × 5120 16:10 41.9 megapixels
8192 × 8192 1:1 67.1 megapixels

8K FUHD is a resolution of 7680 × 4320 (33.2 megapixels) and is one of the two resolutions of ultra high definition television, the other being 4K UHD.[15] In 2013, a transmission network's capability to carry HDTV resolution was limited by internet speeds and relied on satellite broadcast to transmit the high data rates. The demand is expected to drive the adoption of video compression standards and to place significant pressure on physical communication networks in the near future.[16]

8K FUHD has four times the horizontal and vertical resolution of the 1080p HDTV format, with sixteen times as many pixels overall.

8K fulldome

This chart shows the proportional scale differences from 1080p (1920×1080 pixels) to 8K×8K fulldome video.

8K fulldome is a resolution of 8192×8192 (67.1 megapixels) and is the resolution of top-end modern projection for hemispherical fulldome theatres often seen in planetaria. 8K fulldome projects over 4 times the width and over 7.5 times the height resolution of 1080p HDTV format, with 32 times as many pixels overall.

Devices

TVs/Monitors

Cameras

Fulldome

See also

References

  1. ↑ Robert Silva. "8K Resolution - Definition and Explanation of 8K Video Resolution". About.com. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  2. ↑ Johnson, Luke. "Toshiba suggests 4K TVs will be mainstream by 2017". Trusted Reviews. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  3. ↑ Roy Furchgott. "Why You Don't Need a 4K TV". The New York Times. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  4. ↑ Bloom, Phillip. "From Chicago to the Moon: The power of 4K resolution and how to make it work for you creatively". Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Marine, Joe. "NHK Has Finally Shrunk Their 8K Resolution Camera, but How Close Are We to Shooting in 8K?". No Film School. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  6. ↑ "MHL Consortium Announces superMHL – the First Audio/Video Specification With Support Up to 8K". Yahoo Finance. January 6, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  7. ↑ Ryan Smith (January 6, 2015). "MHL Consortium Announces superMHL: New Standard & New Cable To Drive 8K TV". AnandTech. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Introducing superMHL". MHL. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Rob Sabin (December 20, 2011). "Home Theater: Hollywood, The 4K Way". HomeTheater.com Ultimate Tech. Source Interlink Media. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  10. ↑ Lawrence of Arabia on Blu-ray Later This Year. Blu-rayDefinition.com (June 12, 2012).
  11. ↑ "'To Space & Back' latest Planetarium feature". Philadelphia Tribune (Google Cache). Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Shilov, Anton. "NHK Shows World’s First 8K Movie at Cannes Film Festival.". X Bit Labs. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  13. ↑ Grabham, Dan. "Super Hi-Vision: the future of TV that's 16x HD". Tech Radar. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  14. ↑ Singal, Nidhi. "CES 2013: Sharp showcases world's first 8K TV". Business Today. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  15. ↑ "CES 2013: Sharp Demoes Double-UHD (8K) Set, Two 4K Sets, 21 New Aquos 3D Smart TVs". http://www.dailytech.com/.
  16. ↑ "High Efficiency Video Coding". Motion Pictures Experts Group. Retrieved December 10, 2013.