So you thought finding content for that spanking new 4K display you just installed is a major headache? Then think how hard it must be to find 8K content because it is set to become mainstream sometime sooner or later.
Japanese electronics giant Sharp has been among the most prominent supporters of the next-generation 8K ultra-high-definition resolution since it debuted. Now, it may also be the first company to actually offer commercial 8K displays, at least for commercial and professional applications initially. Home theatre lovers will just have to wait a little more but it will happen, eventually.
According to Digitimes, Sharp intends to introduce its first 85” ultra HD displays with 8K (7680*4320) resolution this coming October. The screens will utilize Sharp’s IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide) backplane and a number of other technologies by the company. The panels will be aimed at various commercial and specialized applications, such as content creation, digital signage, museums, professional, military, healthcare and other industries.
As with any new technology, it won’t come cheap, and neither will it be available at your friendly neighborhood electronics store. Pricing of the displays will initially be around $12500 – $13300 per unit, and the amount of panels produced by Sharp will be extremely limited. According to IHS DisplaySearch, this year only around 2.7 thousand 8K display panels will be shipped commercially. By 2019, the number of such 8K panels made by various manufacturers will increase to 911 thousand panels.
Japan Broadcasting Corp. (NHK) will start to broadcast in its 8K super hi-vision format sometimes in 2018. Around that timeframe companies like Sharp are expected to introduce 8K TVs for consumers. However, the amount of content for such screens will be rather limited. Perhaps, early availability of 8K UHD panels will help content makers to prepare for next-generation television sets. In fact, NHK is expected to be a major customer for Sharp’s 8K displays.
“The biggest inhibitor to the growth of 8K TV will be consumer screen size preferences,” said Paul Gray, principal analyst for IHS. “8K requires a very large screen or the higher resolution becomes invisible at normal viewing distances. The average screen size in the TV market has grown by an inch each year over the past decade, but it is still a long haul before sizes over 70” become commonplace.”
IMAX, be afraid, be very afraid.
