We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
AFTER ATTEMPTS TO hawk 3D and OLED TVs fizzled in recent years, television manufacturers are taking small steps toward making a new technology, Ultra HD, more viable for mainstream consumers.
It’s the first TV format to be driven by the Internet video-streaming phenomenon, and at the International CES gadget show this week, major streaming players Netflix and Amazon said they’ll offer movies and TV shows in the format, and Sharp introduced a relatively inexpensive TV with near-Ultra HD quality.
The moves are meant to coax consumers to pedal faster on their TV upgrade cycles. TV manufacturers would love to create another wave of buying like the one that sent millions of people to stores a few years ago to upgrade from standard definition, tube TVs to flat-screen HD models.
Unlike the 3D TV trend, which quickly eroded into a tech fad in recent years, analysts say Ultra HD may actually catch on. With screens that house four times more pixels than regular HD TVs, Ultra HD is a simple enough upgrade to gain widespread adoption in the next few years.
Accessibility
Aside from being visually jarring, 3D required sometimes pricey special glasses and gave some people headaches. Because Ultra HD content can be delivered over a standard high-speed Internet connection, it isn’t likely to get bogged down in a format war that plagued the Blu-ray disc standard.
“You see it, you get it. It’s a big, awesome picture,” said Ben Arnold, a consumer electronics analyst at NPD Group. “Consumers will be interested in it as prices come down. Consumers are also moving toward bigger screens. All of this is good news for [Ultra HD].”
In side-by-side comparisons, Ultra HD is remarkably crisper than HD. It displays richer skin textures, finer details and less pixelation. The extra resolution becomes more important as consumers spend more money on bigger screens that amplify images.
A model stands next to a Samsung 105-inch curved UHD TV during a preview event at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. (Image: AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
But Ultra HD, or 4K, is in its very early stages. Although prototypes and demonstration models have been around for years, the first sets for consumer use didn’t hit the market until 2012 with prices in the tens of thousands of dollars. Only about 60,000 Ultra HD sets were sold last year in the US, with 485,000 estimated this year, according to the Consumer Electronics Association.
Today, the lowest-priced Ultra HD TV being sold on Amazon.com is a 39-inch model from Seiki Digital for $500. The cheapest name-brand manufacturer’s model, a 58-inch screen from Toshiba, sells for $2,750.
Also, LG announced this week it would sell an Ultra HD set as small as 49 inches diagonally, which could bring entry level prices closer to $2,000 for top brands. Sharp’s new Quattron+ brand, which brings near-4K resolution to sets by making better use of HD pixels, plans to price a 70-inch set around $3,200.
While those price tags are only likely to appeal to early-adopters, they’re getting closer to prices people currently pay for big screens running only HD.
Problems
But that still isn’t close enough, said James McQuivey, principal analyst with research firm Forrester. “These TVs won’t actually sell well as long as they are priced high, something TV makers already know because in the last year they’ve dropped prices considerably,” he said.
To entice consumers even further, a handful of content companies promised to make more movies and shows available for the super-sharp screens.
Journalists check out the new Sharp 4K lite television during a news conference at the Consumer Electronics Show (Image: AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings made the rounds at news conferences Monday to declare that the streaming video company is working on distributing 4K video over the Internet. Hastings said all Netflix original series are being shot in 4K and that the company is working with studios on formatting movies and TV shows in 4K, with one of the first series being Sony's "Breaking Bad."
Both Amazon.com and Hulu are shooting original series in 4K, and Amazon said it was working with major content producers Warner Bros., Lionsgate, 20th Century Fox and Discovery to make 4K content available.
The emergence of Ultra HD marks the first time a major TV standard is being pushed forward with the Internet. "It's a chance for the Internet to really shine," Hastings said.
Downloading huge Ultra HD files would take download speeds of only 15 megabits per second and could even work with a WiFi connection, Hastings said. LG's chief technology officer, Skott Ahn, told The Associated Press that 4K content could be streamed with 8-15 Mbps Internet speeds using the latest HEVC video compression standard.
It's not clear how close the industry is on a Blu-ray disc standard for Ultra HD. No announcements about a format were made at the show, even as The Digital Entertainment Group, an industry consortium of studios and electronics makers, declared that strong consumer interest in 4K "bodes well for the home entertainment industry."
President and COO of Sony Electronics, Mike Fasulo, talks to the media about the new line of Sony 4K TVs at the International Consumer Electronics Show (Image: AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Enough people have to own Ultra HD sets for pay TV providers to start enabling service. If the CEA's forecast of 485,000 units sold in the US comes true, that could provide enough of a base for cable, telecoms and satellite to begin to upgrade their systems, according to Pat Esser, president of cable TV provider Cox Communications, which serves about 10 per cent of US pay TV subscribers. If 50,000 Cox subscribers buy Ultra HD TVs, "then you've got my attention," Esser said in an interview.
Widespread adoption by live-TV producers still seems a ways off.
Sony promised an end-to-end production suite for professionals, and Sony Electronics President Mike Fasulo on Monday unveiled a Handicam that shoots in ultra HD for the home enthusiast, priced at $2,000 - "As I like to say, 4K for $2K."
He rattled off a list of upcoming movies, shows and live events that will be shot in 4K and offer something for ultra HD set buyers to watch, everything from Spike Lee's latest movie, "The Sweet Blood of Jesus," to the FIFA World Cup in June.
"We're not talking about this as a science project ten years into the future," he said at Monday's news conference. "This is all happening now."
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Thoughts and prayers with that young girl that was fatally assaulted in Welford last night/ horrific story
@Frank Mc Carthy
the Irish times that it was a woman.
Either way, terrible news.
@Frank Mc Carthy: you where so excited to post you got the age and place wronh
@Niall Lappin: that’s a pretty disgusting comment even for the Journal. RTÉ report an 8 year old girl had died.
@Niall Lappin: even a modecum of respect??? An 8 Yr old girl in Welford has tragically & violently lost her life
@Frank Mc Carthy: WEXFORD…..apologies….R.I.P
@Niall Lappin: wow, that’s fairly sick & vile
@Frank Mc Carthy: new Ross,a truly terrible thing to happen
@Niall Lappin: R.I.P. Malikika , her young life extinguished protecting her mother. Rest easy now child
I posted this elsewhere but maybe more relevant here (or not LOL)!
As a good deal of people seemed disappointed by the last government as constructed, could there be a government of national unity?
Or, fall into the same format as last time and ruin the chances of the minority party in subsequent future elections?
Alternatively, a government excluding FFG, comprised of the elected smaller party and individuals? Obviously the latter ‘could’ be unstable due to differences but it could also change the tide of politics in Ireland. Especially, if they managed to look after the homeless and build houses through direct labour and not being ripped off by building companies (who are famous for building bicycle sheds).
@Con Cussed: arithmetic not your strongest subject?
@Lesidees: LOL, there’s 174 seats, FFG combined not expected to have 88 seats. So assuming they get 80+ (or slights over but don’t make the magical 88, then there are at least 88 seats available to the opposition. Do the maths ;0)
@Con Cussed: Doesn’t matter, we’re incapable of building anything functional.
@Con Cussed: the left can not agree on anything and u would need all right leaning independents so never going to happen.
The left are smart u couldn’t go in with SF as they plan this far has Ben to cannibalise the left parties such as labour and doc dems
@Thesaltyurchin: @john purcell: Can’t disagree with anything you’re saying. However, if these guys want to see something different there will have to be give and take, otherwise FFG will be back in power with some minnow. FF & FG have never fixed the big issues of homelessness and housing, so maybe a group thrown together might have a better chance, can they do worse?
@Con Cussed: you laughed at someone to do the math, now I’m asking you to do the logic… as you’ve alluded to within your original post, the formation would likely be unstable, almost definitely too unstable. FFG look likely to get within 2 seats if 88, all they need is 2 indos. An opposition would have to get every single independent on board. Even if possible the structure would likely collapse within weeks if not days of being formed. I’m not against them trying it, but seems destined to end in failure.
@TheGood Feign: The odds are completely stacked against such an outcome as you rightly state. It would take all of the opposition to FFG to conclude an agreement. Some of those elected know they’ll never get in with FFG, so they might be open to it. Then the question would be how long might it last?
@Con Cussed: I suggested this a week ago, we have a National crisis in Homeless & Housing & now Public Services. It won’t be solved by Parties left, right or centre as they all try to fit in their ideologies, what’s needed is consensus on a National scale to solve a National crisis. I felt after the crash last time out, we should have had a National Govt as at that stage we lost our Sovereignty. I believe the onus & pressure on this next Govt is huge, failure to deliver on bread & butter issues from Cost of Living, Insurance, Housing, Health, Homelessness & Immigration, will see the people turn on all political classes as people see no hope. In mentioning Immigration, I am not anti Immigration, but we need to apply the rules, we cannot realistically help all those coming.
@Con Cussed: to get to 88 would mean all the independents, aontú, II, PBP, Labour, SD, Green, and SF agreeing on something….
@Con Cussed: labour will go in with fffg,they say no now but trust me that will change once they get a few ministers
@sean weir: the issue is SF are not a left wing party. Labour and SD are very left of center and their climate and immigration views are completely diff.
While most on here don’t want to see a FF/FG gov the reason is that the left should have formed a block prior to the election so that ppl could vote for them.
SF are looking for the left vote and are trying to destroy labour and the sock dems. They can’t go after the middle class FF/FG vote as it will destroy their base.
@Con Cussed: Dream on most outdoors and opposition wouldn’t agree to split €5
@TheGood Feign: Hell would freeze over before Social Democrats or Labour would ever dream forming a government with Independent Ireland or Aontú & vice versa. FFG have it unfortunately.
@SV3tN8M4: Indeed it would mean the parties putting the people first. It would be stronger than any other type of coalition as it would be bigger and as such could manage the minor entities pulling the plug, who might be the eventual loser in a subsequent election. The issue will always be the breakdown of government ministerial posts and sub-functions of government. It would take balls by those elected to form. All of the points raised need addressing but those who have been in power in the past haven’t addressed them, will they in the future?
The coalition with just need around five independents, Bacik and Holly can do on.
@Dan Murphy: woke utd! To replace woke greens
@Basildon Joe: WOKE WOKE WOKE. Jesus change the boring mantra Adolf. The world has changed, live with it
it was fine to mention immigration topic before elections?
Open the comments at wexford news
@sakk sa: comments are always closed on crime stories
Can we get a demographic break down on those who didn’t vote? Working/not working would be a start
@Ben dover: It will be responsibly obvious from returns based on towns/neighbourhoods. I would also suggest that those in lower social demographic groups voted far less.
@Ben dover: exactly
If there was a party proposing a 50 % reduction in Job Seekers benefit then you can bet the electorate would be huge .
All out to vote against that “” Draconian “” proposal
@james rowan: No representation without taxation!
11 seats to be filled then it’s as you were lads,same rules apply.
The two Healy Raes, Michael Lowry and Verona Murphy. There’s 4 guaranteed to prop up a coalition. We’ll know fairly soon how many FF and FG need.
After the Green wipeout, SD and Labour don’t need to be told twice to steer clear of Government.
@Ronan Mc: anyone but the Healy Raes please.
@Ronan Mc: Think of them what you may, but Kerry is their priority – that’s why they keep being elected. The rest of them just look after their doners and cronies.
@Dermot Blaine:
The Healy Raes are certain to be in.
They are a cheap deal.
SDs or lab will want major changes in policy but all the likes of the Healy Raes etc want are a few new roadworks and people to stop applying planning and building regulations too rigorously.
@P. J.: The Healy Raes won’t be selected, guaranteed.
@P. J.: Healy Rae’s won’t be in ,they can squeeze more out of the government from outside the circle,plus it means they are not held accountable for anything fffg do
@P. J.: and a relaxation of the drink driving laws
Losing Stephen Donnelly is beyond devastating, a smile that could light up Wicklow
Must say the journal have done an excellent job reporting. Found the interactive map better than RTÉ. Fair play
The show is over but the obese lady is not singing.
I hope The Monk finds out who didn’t vote for him
@Fintan Pox:
Brendan and he also called him a bolli,,
The Smoked Salmon so called Socialist Labour party and the Social Democrats debating society will talk and talk to convince us why they can’t enter Government but bottom line they are political cowards who will put their own cushy jobs and income before the interest of the Irish people.
No surprise they are both talkers not doers.
@Tim Brennan: Why would they prop up a neo-liberal government? Labour would be nuts to prop up FFG. Political suicide. Soc Dems are no fools either. They both saw how FFG used the Greens as their patsy. Let them talk to Michael Lowry. He’s more their ilk.
Test
Stop the steal !!!
Not that I know anything about nothing …
I didn’t even read the article. Have seen nothing on French news. Hopefuly it will be over soon !
And then life can go on, whatever way it’s going …
Don’t need a bunker. I have an army bivouac and a mountain sleeping bag etc, 3 camping gas bottles, a burner etc. A couple of weeks of food and a crossbow.
And if that’s not enough : so be it
have your say