You may not have warmed up to the idea of 4K yet but you have to brace yourself to hear more of 8K. Technology is always advancing to provide something better, and just as soon as you’re getting used to a new technology, an even more advanced one bursts into the scene.
While a portion of the population is still enjoying the benefits of 4K, signs pointing to the rise of 8K have already been laid out.
The movies
Guardians of the Galaxy was a hit when it came out in 2014. It’s no surprise then that there were expectations for the follow up to be better. One of the elements that helps make that come true is the kind of camera used to film the movie.
For Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 that came in the form of the RED Weapon 8K. The production team chose the camera system for the creative possibilities it provides thanks to its large sensor and super high resolution.
The second volume in the Guardians franchise was released in 2017 and unsurprisingly, it was praised for its visuals.
The cameras
RED has a few in the market, two of which are from the Weapon line. And as mentioned earlier, the Weapon was used to shoot a Hollywood film.
But RED isn’t the only maker to have ventured into the 4K market. Sharp introduced their 8K camcorder, the 8C-B6OA, in 2017. While companies like RED and Sony are aiming their products for creative purposes, Sharp’s looks designed for broadcast purposes. And it won’t be surprising to find it used during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
It’s not just professionals who can have fun with 8K. Consumers can have fun with the technology as well. Users can make use of the GoPro Omni VR to create 8K videos and can also do the same thing with the Insta360 Pro.
The (upcoming) broadcasts
NHK announced that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be broadcast in 8K in Japan. The event is not that far away and equipment to make such a broadcast possible has already been introduced.
As mentioned earlier, Sharp has unveiled an 8K camera that is designed for broadcast purposes. Although it can be used for creative shoots, everything from its looks to its features speaks of a device specifically made for the broadcast market.
The television screens
Since 8K offers so much more resolution than 4K, it follows that a proper appreciation for it involves having an 8K television set. The good news is that many makers have already been putting out 8K-supporting products. LG, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and Toshiba all have 8K TVs.
Even the 2019 CES will feature new 8K displays, including an 88-inch OLED screen from LG. Much of the world is still getting used to the idea of 4K. Some may not even have 4K products just yet but technology doesn’t really wait. There are evident signs pointing at a progression towards 8K, from the ways films are being made to the devices used to watch such entertainment.
