4K HDR from SKY Perfect JSAT
July 29, 2016
By Colin Mann
Japanese satellite operator SKY Perfect JSAT is to launch the world’s first publicly-available 4K HDR (High Dynamic Range) broadcast on October 4, 2016, during timeslots on its dedicated 4K channel, SKY PerfecTV! 4K Experience, launched on May 1, 2016.
The channel can be enjoyed free of charge by anyone with compatible equipment for receiving the SKY PerfecTV! Premium Service or SKY PerfecTV! Premium HIKARI Service.
To mark the commencement of 4K HDR broadcasts, a programme jointly produced with the Imagica Robot Group will air in 4K HDR along with all five episodes of the BS SKY PerfecTV! original drama Kera (Yakubyogami Series).
For its 4K HDR broadcasts, SKY Perfect JSAT has adopted the Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) standard, co-developed by public broadcasters NHK and BBC.
While there are a number of HDR techniques, HLG was developed as the most suitable format for broadcasting and HLG became an international standard in July this year.
In response to the October commencement of 4K HDR broadcasts, a software update for Toshiba’s 4K Regza Z20X series is scheduled to become available for download from late August. Other companies’ products are also sequentially scheduled to become 4K HDR-capable from this autumn.
SKY Perfect JSAT confirms that it will proactively engage in 4K HDR technology so that it may deliver even finer and more dynamic contents to many viewers.