#8ktvs

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As usual, CES 2020 clearly demonstrated the main focus areas of companies' efforts to improve TVs. In fact, they cover almost all aspects, including design, audio quality, enhanced functionality, etc. But, improving image quality remains one of the main directions. Today, companies solve this problem using a variety of methods, including: - increasing resolution; - increased efficiency of AI 8K Upscaling; - improving color rendering by improving the backlight; - automatic calibration. TCL demonstrated the 8th series with Mini LED backlight Technology and announced its next generation called Vidrian Mini LED.

Today, this Chinese company is confidently leading the way in improving FALD (full-array local dimming) technology. According to many experts, Mini LED backlight or, already, Vidrian Mini LED Technology will be able to closely approximate the color accuracy of LED TVs to OLED technology. In addition, this year, almost all companies introduced new auto-calibration modes. In particular, Sony developed Ambient Optimization, new Samsung TVs use Adaptive Picture, Adaptive Peak Brightness and Adaptive Tone Mapping, LG TVs have Dolby Vision IQ. But an unprecedented number of 8K models from almost all leading companies demonstrates the dominance of the trend of increasing TV resolution.

Introduction

Disputes over the avalanche spread of 4K are still ongoing, but almost all leading companies already offer 8K TVs. Basically, skeptics of this trend use two fairly convincing arguments. First, many have not forgotten the relatively recent history of 3D TVs. The rapid growth of its popularity began after a demonstration at CES and IFA in 2010. Many experts quite logically predicted its excellent prospects. Of course, the manufacturers adequately responded to demand, significantly improving and cheapening this technology in its models. Unfortunately, the high cost of producing 3D content has become an insurmountable obstacle to its further development. As a result, almost all companies abandoned 3D support in their TVs. Therefore, today experts quite reasonably express doubts regarding the prospects for the production of native 8K content, which today is practically absent. Probably for this reason, companies are actively improving 8K AI Upscaling technology. In the worst case, these TVs will be able to improve quality playback of lower resolution content.

Secondly, they quite reasonably ask about the advisability of increasing resolution in terms of eye capabilities. The screen resolution of smartphones confirms these doubts. As known, many modern smartphones already provide 400, 500 ppi and higher. But according to many ophthalmologists, 600 ppi is close to the limit of perception for our vision. Accordingly, a further increase in resolution does not make much sense. In the same time, many companies continue to increase it. Today, the absolute record belongs to the Sony Xperia Z5 with 806 ppi.

This value corresponds to 4K, but does not make sense due to the limited possibilities of our eye. But this argument has some additional aspects.

Vernier acuity (hyperacuity)

As know, standard measure of visual acuity using Snellen eyechart. The argument of skeptics is based on the limitation of visual acuity, which does not distinguish between 8K vs 4K due to too high pixel density. In particular, its lower limit does not exceed 20/20.

But the Japanese NHK broadcaster did some interesting research to find out the effect of resolution on perception. Of course, visual acuity remains a major factor, but it's not the only one. Brain and Vernier acuity (hyperacuity) also significantly affect image perception. For example, many people will be able to distinguish the difference between two pairs of lines, one of which contains perfectly parallel lines, and the second includes lines with an offset of only one pixel. In this case, Vernier acuity will take this displacement as a stepping stone.

But the spacing the pixels on the 8K screen is half vs 4K matrix. Accordingly, reducing the height of the step increases the smoothness of the lines and we perceive the 8K image as clearer. Moreover, the brain reinforces this difference by trying to create a more analog-like image, increasing its realism. Thus, the argument based on only traditional visual acuity is not convincing enough.

Experiment Results

Moreover, recent studies of Dr. YungKyong Park of Ewha Womans University in Seoul further supports this hypothesis. In this experiment, scientists installed side-by-side 65-inch TVs with 4K and 8K resolution, which were calibrated at 500 nits of peak luminance. Of course, all 120 participants in the experiment had the same 20/20 visual acuity and normal color vision. The experiment was conducted at a distance of 9 feet from the displays in a dark room. Content included the 16 images and 3 videos with visuals. As a result, almost all participants in the experiment noted the difference 8K vs 4K displays.

Interestingly, the participants in the experiment noted not increased sharpness or contrast of the image due to higher resolution. According to them, 8K images looked cooler, warmer, more delicious, heavier, etc, which corresponds to sensory perception. In addition, Dr. Kyoung-Min Lee of Seoul National University investigated 8K resolution in terms of its perception by the brain. As known, increasing resolution reduces information loss. Accordingly, the dynamic signal-to-noise ratio increases. As a result, the level of immersive effect also rises. Thus, the brain is less tired when perceiving 8K content. At the same time, watching provides richer emotions due to high realism of the perceived content.

Conclusions

The beneficial effects of competition continues to stimulate an innovative boom in the consumer electronics segment. Of course, high-tech TVs are among the leaders of this mainstream. HDR technology, HDMI 2.1 standard, 10 and 12-bit color depth, HFR (high frame rate) format, Micro LED, etc perfectly illustrate this trend. Super resolution screens are one of the main directions of their development. A few years ago, many experts doubted the prospects of a further increase in resolution. Indeed, even 4K was redundant for most of the available content. However, segment leaders including LG, Samsung, Sony, Sharp, Vizio, Toshiba, and Hisense continued to develop this direction. As a result, today the market already offers a fairly wide selection of 8K models. As known, 8K uses four times more pixels compared to 4K images, providing maximum image clarity even on 65-inch or larger screens. The abbreviated 8K name corresponds to roughly 8,000 pixels wide. Their number reaches 7680 x 4320 pixels (4320p), or a total of 33,177,600 pixels (33-megapixel image). For comparison, the Full HD 1080p TV provides a two-megapixel image, 4K ups it to eight megapixels, 8K - up to 33 megapixels.

Today many call this specification Ultra HD or Ultra HD 8K or 8K Super Hi-Vision.

8K Association

As known, setting standards in TV industry has problems. The contradictions between major manufacturers regarding support for various HDR formats illustrate this well. Given this factor, leading companies began to solve problem at the first stage. The newly formed 8K Association (8KA), including Samsung, Panasonic, Hisense, TCL, and AUO hopes to set ground rules for UHD.

In addition, 8KA already includes TV-tangential companies, including Tencent, Xperi, Intel, and Chili. During CES 2019, its CEO Chris Chinnock, held the inaugural meeting. Association plans to create a "Good, Better, Best" label for any 8K products, based on criteria the manufacturers. In addition, Chris Chinnock called signing the agreement with LG and Samsung Display a priority. But despite these efforts, the development of 8K also already has contradictions. In particular, LG and 8KA interpret the 8K format differently. Referring to the Information Display Measurements Standard (IDMS) for pixel differentiation, LG claims that their 8K TVs provide “real 8K” unlike other companies. According to them, the presence of 33,177,600 pixels is not enough for the status of 8K TV. The panel of such a TV must also identify each pixel or distinguish / contrast between those pixels. Otherwise, increasing their number loses its meaning due to the merging their brightness and mixing their colors. Additionally, the company indicates the Contrast Modulation (CM) of its 8K TVs "in the 90% range", calling this level "real 8K". In comparison, the IDMS standard only requires 25% for images, or 50% for text. But 8KA offered its standard, including HDMI 2.1 ports, high enough frame rates, 8K resolution, and a minimum 600 nits peak brightness, but without the Contrast Modulation measurement.

8K content

Of course, all 8K TVs use HDMI 2.1, which supports 8K resolutions at 60 fps or 4K resolution at 120 fps. Based on the experience of 3D, HDR or 4K technologies, many experts are skeptical about the problem of producing 8K content. Especially considering that today even 4K share does not exceed 15%. Nevertheless, some factors inspire cautious optimism. Estimated sources: - some Hollywood directors already use the new RED Weapon 8K camera; - traditional TV production studios, including possibly Netflix; - NHK plans to broadcast 8K from the Olympics in Tokyo 2020, but only in Japan; - Samsung has partnered with many streaming services across Europe, including CHILI, MEGAGOGO, and The Explorers for 8K HDR10+ content; - already today, the GoPro Omni VR and Insta360 Pro support 8K capture from 360-degree video cameras.

LG, Samsung, and Sony 8K TVs

2019 was a watershed year for 8K TVs. Almost all the segment leaders announced their models. At CES 2019, LG introduced the 8K OLED88Z9PUA (OLED88Z9) and Nano Cell 75SM9970PUA (75SM9970).

Both TVs use latest α9 Gen 2 8K processor with a graphics chip to support 8K images. LED TV uses Full Array Dimming Pro. In addition, they support LG ThinQ AI, Google Assistant, and Alexa. Moreover, models support HDR, Dolby Vision and HLG formats, with Apple Airplay 2 and HomeKit support. Finally, they provide a color depth of 10 bits and work under OS LG WebOS. Four HDMI 2.1 ports provide bandwidth 60fps for 8K, and 120fps for 4K video. As known, Samsung announced its Q900 8K TVs at the end of 2018. The series includes the QN65Q900R, QN75Q900R, QN82Q900R, and QN85Q900R models or QE65Q900R / QE75Q900R / QE85Q900R in Europe.

TVs use QLED displays with 10-bit color depth, the new Quantum 8K processor, and OS Tizen. Of course, they support HDR 10+ and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma). In 2019, Sony also introduced the Z9G 8K series, including the XBR-85Z9G and XBR-98Z9G, or KD-85ZG9 / KD-98ZG9 in Europe.

They use the updated Picture Processor X1 Ultimate, QLED display, and Android OS. In addition, the models support HDR, and Google and Alexa assistants.

Other companies

As known, in 2017, Japanese Sharp proposed the first 8K TV, but only for the markets of Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and China. Today this company offers two 8K models, including the LC-70XU830X and LC-80XU930X.

These TVs use 4 core processor, Android OS, Sharp's LED displays, and support Google Play Store. Unfortunately, they do not support HDR. The company produces LED displays using its own AQUOS Quattron Pro technology, based on the use of 4 color pixels (red, blue, green, yellow) and with a color depth of 10 bits.

According to many experts, today it is one of the most promising technologies in terms of image quality. Unfortunately, the company sells them mainly in Asia. Hisense has already shown its 8K models at CES 2019 and IFA 2019, but plans to start selling them at the end of 2019.

At CES 2019, TCL announced a new X-Series TV with 8K resolution, AI learning, a retractable camera and augmented reality content support.

In addition, the company announced ‘duo-display design’ that ‘allows viewers to enjoy a mini-screen independently’. TCL plans to start sales for 2020.

Conclusion