OYSTER BAY, N.Y.—Despite the dearth of high-res content, 4K TV will grow to become the mainstream TV format over the next few years, with worldwide sales reaching 233 million, a CAGR increase of 13%, according to ABI Research. The research firm also predicts that market acceptance for 8K TV will mirror that of 4K in which declining prices of TV models will spur consumer acceptance.

Samsung, LG, Sony and TCL have all launched 8K TV sets, which, depending on the display size, are currently priced between $5,000 - $70,000.

“The cost of 8K TV sets is far from affordable for most consumers,” said Khin Sandi Lynn, industry analyst at ABI Research. “This will limit the sales volume for the foreseeable future, however, we can expect the price points to decline to a more reasonable level over the next several years, just as 4K sets have.”

Content for 8K sets is far scarcer than for 4K, ABI notes, with only Japanese broadcaster NHK currently providing 8K content via its “Super Hi-Vision” format. Korean Broadcast Corp. (KBS) and European streaming provider Rakuten have both announced tentative plans to offer 8K content sometime in 2019. 8K also requires much larger files and bandwidth and ABI thinks that the next generation VVC format (versatile video coding)—which offers 34% higher efficiency over HEVC—will “play a vital role” when standardization is completed in 2020.

Tokyo, Japan — June 27, 2018 - Blackmagic Design announced today that Surugadai University built a new 4K studio using Blackmagic Design’s Studio Camera 4K, ATEM 1 M/E Production Studio 4K and ATEM 1 M/E Broadcast Panel. The products have been installed in the studio in Surugadai University Media Center.

The installation, which upgrades the studio from SD to 4K, also includes a workflow built around other Blackmagic Design products, including ATEM Talkback Converter 4K, HyperDeck Studio Pro, Teranex Minis, SmartView 4K and SmartScope Duo 4K.

The Faculty of Media and Information Studies is made up of three courses. The Audio-Visual Media course is focused on studying forms of expression in visual and auditory media through the process of producing content such as commercials, video messages, music videos, dramas and documentaries. Students can learn techniques they can make use of when they get jobs at broadcasting stations, radio stations and production companies after graduation.

"Now that everyone is heading towards 4K, we made a decision to install a new 4K system so that students can experience the latest technology," said Professor Kazuhiko Saika.

The new 4K studio is mainly used for classes of the Faculty of Media and Information Studies as well as at open campus days when students from local elementary schools and junior high schools are invited to social experience classes.

“University students in our classes create news programs with roles for each, such as casters, cameramen and directors. Normally students are afraid to touch broadcast cameras which they haven’t used before. However, with Studio Camera 4K they don’t need much time to know how to use them. You can adjust zoom and focus by touching lenses and it is simple and easy to use with big viewfinders,” said Mr. Masahiro Takada, teaching assistant to Professor Kazuhiko Saika.

Mr. Takanori Miyake, manager of the university’s Media Center Information Systems said: “These young students actually experience the workflow for news programs, trying cameras, putting picture-in-picture with a switcher. It is great to see them enjoy the 4K video recorded by the broadcast equipment they don’t usually have a chance to touch. We hope to keep on contributing to the local community."

They also installed HyperDeck Studio Pro to play background video for blue screen compositing, which is connected to the input and output of ATEM 1 M/E Production Studio 4K for recording and playback. HyperDeck Studio Pro is connected via Ethernet to the ATEM 1 M/E Production Studio 4K for control of the HyperDeck Studio Pro remotely from the ATEM 1M/E Broadcast Panel.

“I hope that students learn how to manage the total quality of media production. In the industry heading rapidly towards 4K and 8K. I think it is important for them to acquire knowledge of the whole process from shooting to post-production. We also have a plan to install DaVinci Resolve and DaVinci Resolve Panels in the future because I think that DaVinci Resolve will become the standard application in the industry,” Professor Kazuhiko Saika concluded.

Press Photography

Product photos of Studio Camera 4K, ATEM 1 M/E Production Studio 4K and ATEM 1 M/E Broadcast Panel, ATEM Talkback Converter 4K, HyperDeck Studio Pro, Teranex Minis, SmartView 4K and SmartScope Duo 4K, and all other Blackmagic Design products are available at www.blackmagicdesign.com/media/images.

About Blackmagic Design

Blackmagic Design creates the world’s highest quality video editing products, digital film cameras, color correctors, video converters, video monitoring, routers, live production switchers, disk recorders, waveform monitors and real time film scanners for the feature film, post production and television broadcast industries. Blackmagic Design’s DeckLink capture cards launched a revolution in quality and affordability in post production, while the company’s Emmy™ award winning DaVinci color correction products have dominated the television and film industry since 1984. Blackmagic Design continues ground breaking innovations including 6G-SDI and 12G-SDI products and stereoscopic 3D and Ultra HD workflows. Founded by world leading post production editors and engineers, Blackmagic Design has offices in the USA, UK, Japan, Singapore and Australia. For more information, please go to www.blackmagicdesign.com

Press Contact

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Zazil Media Group
(e) nick@zazilmediagroup.com
(p) +1 (978) 866 7354

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