Sony and Panasonic go U-HDTV
August 30, 2012
By Chris Forrester
Panasonic and Sony have both used the timely IFA technology show in Berlin to unveil their latest Ultra-HDTV sets, and they’re both monster displays. The sets should be available by Christmas-time, but won’t be cheap.
Sony’s effort is a mere 84” across (some four times the area of a ‘normal’ 42” display) and will display at 3840 x 2160 pixels. To a certain extent, the Bravia-branded units will also upscale existing content (because as yet there’s no 4K programming available to the public).
Panasonic showcased its giant 145” 8000-line Ultra-HDTV unit, which can handle resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels, or 8K. As with the Sony, there’s no content available yet, and most industry observers expect 4K transmissions to start within three or four years, with the world’s leading pay-TV broadcasters leading the way.