Oct 02, 2013

The "4K World" is Within Sight - Panasonic at CEATEC JAPAN 2013

Panasonic Booth Presents 4K World at CEATEC JAPAN 2013

The cutting-edge IT & electronics comprehensive exhibition, "CEATEC 2013," is taking place at Makuhari Messe (Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan) from October 1st to the 5th. Under the new brand slogan, "A Better Life, A Better World," Panasonic introduced its "4K World" that is expanding from BtoB to BtoC. Recently, 4K has become a hot topic. But let's start from the beginning. What is 4K? And what can you do with it now, and how will it enrich our lives in the future? We'll answer these questions as we explore the booth.

What Are 4K TVs?

These are TVs that have four times the resolution of Full HD.

If you look at an LCD TV up close, you can see clusters of very small dots, which are also known as pixels. When we have even smaller pixels, the images can become even richer, more elaborate. A 4K (or 4K2K) TV refers to TVs with a resolution comprised of 3840 dots going across, and 2160 dots placed vertically. This is 4 times the number of pixels as Full HD TVs (1920 x 1080) that we have become accustomed to meaning the TV can display images in exquisite detail and impeccable resolution.

4K TVs reproduce images in impeccable image quality with an impressive resolution of approximately 8.29 million pixels, four times Full HD.

Why Do We Need 4K?

We recommend 4K if you want to enjoy content on a large screen.

The key reason is that TVs are becoming larger and larger. When the screen is small, it wouldn't be much of a problem even if the pixels are rough, but with a big screen pixilation becomes more noticeable. The super high resolution of a 4K TV offers a far more immersive viewing experience.

In the booth at CEATEC, Panasonic introduced a wide range of advance technologies housed in the 4K TV.
4K TV, TH-L65WT600, showcased at CES 2013.

What can we enjoy now?

You can enjoy 4K movies online or PC games created in 4K resolution.

Because 4K broadcasting hasn't begun yet, many of you may be thinking, "Even if we bought a 4K TV, there would be nothing to watch." But TVs are no longer a simple tool for watching TV broadcasting. There are a lot of 4K content available online, and because the 4K VIERA is embedded with the DisplayPort(TM) 1.2a, a global standard for PCs, you can enjoy high quality PC games created in 4K in its native resolution.

4K VIERA equipped with the DisplayPort(TM) 1.2a displays fast-moving images effortlessly and lets you enjoy PC games created in 4K 60p in superior image quality.

This corner introduces the "4K Remaster" that combines the "Fine Remaster Engine," which can make real-time adjustments to the images by testing the incoming video signal against 120,000 patterns stored in a local database, and the "Fine Detail Super Resolution," which enhances the images by adding texture.

Enjoy digital broadcasting and Blu-ray Disc software in 4K quality.

Panasonic's superior imaging technology will let you enjoy digital broadcasting and Blu-ray Disc software in flawless 4K quality.

Introducing the new 4K DIGA

The 4K DIGA will become available in the marketplace this fall (planned for release mid Nov 2013). In the exhibition corner, Panasonic demonstrated how beautiful Blu-ray Disc content that have been upconverted to 4K using its unique technology, "Master Grade Video Coding," can be. Content on a Blu-ray Disc are stored using the Blu-ray Disc standard of 24-bit gradation (approximately 16.77 million colors). But Panasonic's "Master Grade Video Coding" stores additional bit expansion data to enable you to enjoy movies in professional studio master like quality with 36-bit gradients (approximately 68.7 billion colors). In addition to "009 RE:CYBORG" displayed at the exhibition, new software such as Studio Ghibli productions will soon become available.

The DIGA premium model, DMR-BZT9600, will be introduced to the market this November.
"009 RE:CYBORG" stored using the Master Grade Video Coding. The flawless, color rich images drew much attention.

What Are the Other Features of the 4K VIERA?

The screen is split in half to show what images look like when the 4K Intelligent Frame Creation is on and off. The 4K Intelligent Frame Creation anticipates motion and adds intermediate frames.

4K Intelligent Frame Creation renders smooth images with little ghosting.

This technology analyzes video shot at 30/60fps and adds intermediate frames using high-precision motion detection to reproduce images as a super smooth sequence.

Complies with the 4K 60p compatible HDMI 2.0 standard.

Because the 4K VIERA complies with the latest HDMI 2.0 standard, it is compatible with the 4K resolution, 60p frame rate input signal. Its ability to process 60 frames per second enables it to render fast-moving action sequences very smoothly.

Panasonic also demonstrated the difference between 30p and 60p input.
The 4K VIERA enables smooth rendering by displaying 60 frames per second.

What is the Future Outlook of 4K?

2014 - 4K broadcasting will begin in Japan.

In 2020, Tokyo will host the Olympic Games once again. Japan's national broadcasting station, NHK has already created a roadmap leading up to the Games to make it possible for its viewers to enjoy 4K and 8K content. More specifically, it intends to begin 4K broadcasting in 2014. People who buy 4K TVs before the broadcasting begins will be able to enjoy the new 4K programming using a set top box.

Professional Camera Recorders and editing equipment are also exhibited.

New Possibilities in the Business Arena

The impressive picture quality of 4K will significantly impact the business world.

The 4K tablet PC, TOUGHPAD, which will become available in December 2013, will help businesses take advantage of the remarkable amount of information 4K provides. For example, the large 20-inch screen of the tablet PC that can display A3-size documents nearly in full size may be used for digital catalogs and medical viewers. You can also add personal notes with the optional touch pen. Panasonic proposed ideas for different applications such as for medical, cosmetics, and digital museums.

(Left) With a digital museum you can enjoy masterpieces on a TOUGHPAD. Zoom in closer and you will even see the fine brushstrokes.
(Middle) The TOUGHPAD can also be used as a digital medical chart or a medical viewer.
(Right) For the cosmetics industry, the TOUGHPAD can be used to simulate make up application. Users will be able to see what they would look like after make up.

The Dawn of the 4K Era

The way we enjoy television continues to diversify, and TV screens are becoming larger and larger. As such, 4K is no longer a "technology of the near future;" It is a technology that you can "enjoy now and in the future." CEATEC JAPAN will take place until October 5th. Please come by and witness the dawn of a new era.

Future technology, the 4K OLED

4K organic LED (OLED) is 4K's future technology. At the booth, Panasonic showcased three 55-inch 4K OLEDs created by its unique printing method. The rich colors and superior power of expression, as well as the OLEDs brought to life by the printing method, which enables a more cost-effective way of producing large OLED panels, drew much attention.