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RED teaming with Foxconn on smaller, cheaper 8K cameras
Foxconn plans to build smaller, cheaper 8K cameras in collaboration with cinema company RED, Nikkei reports. "We will make cameras that will shoot professional-quality films in 8K resolution but at only a third of current prices and a third of current camera sizes," CEO Terry Gou told reporters. RED currently has several 8K models, including the 3.35 pound, $30,000 Epic-W 8K (above). That means Foxconn could conceivably produce an 8K camera that costs around $10,000 and weights just over a pound -- less than many DSLRs.
Panavision's latest cinema camera has an 8K RED sensor
Nearly every blockbuster film used to end with "Lenses and Panaflex camera by Panavision," but now it's more likely that your favorite movie was short on Arri or RED. Panavision is trying to flip that equation, however, by adopting one of its rivals' key pieces of tech. Its latest cinema camera, the Millenium DXL2 uses RED's Monstro 8K VistaVision sensor, giving it 16-bit, 8,192 x 4,320 RAW output with a claimed 16 stops of dynamic range.
Samsung's 8K TV uses AI that 'learns' to upscale low-res video
In 2013 Samsung introduced a $40,000 85-inch 4K TV with an easel-like design, before showing off an 8K demo unit in 2014. Now at CES 2018 Samsung is showing off this 8K-resolution Q9S that continues the same design strategy, just with more pixels and AI inside. Pit that against LG's 88-inch 8K OLED, and it looks like 2016's LG-versus-Samsung battle is ready to resume. We don't have details like a price or release date for the Q9S, but the 85-inch monster features a "proprietary algorithm" to upscale lower-res video for its Super Hi-Vision screen. The artificial intelligence comes in with its ability to "learn from itself" to improve over time -- which could be interesting if it works well, and could also lead to some incredible self-created artifacts if something goes wrong.
LG shows off the world's first 88-inch 8K OLED display
Just as 4K and HDR are finally going mainstream, the ambitious folks at LG Display have also been busy pushing their OLED technology to 8K. Come CES, the Korean manufacturer will let attendees get up close with its new 88-inch 8K OLED display (can we just call it the "Triple 8?"), which is both the largest and the highest-resolution OLED panel to date. But as far as specs go, that's all we have for now. Previously, the largest OLED screen size was 77 inches, and it "only" came in 4K. While this combination is currently offered to consumers by the likes of LG Electronics, Sony and Panasonic, they all source their large OLED panels from LG Display.
HDMI 2.1 is here with 10K and Dynamic HDR support
Back in January, the HDMI Forum unveiled its new specifications for the HDMI connector, called HDMI 2.1. Now, that HDMI specification is available to all vendors who have already adopted HDMI 2.0. It's backwards compatible with all previous HDMI specifications.
Vimeo can stream videos in 8K and HDR
A few streaming services have supported colorful high dynamic range video and ultra-high resolutions for a while, but Vimeo is making up for lost time in grand style. The company has added support for both HDR videos and resolutions as high as 8K. You're going to need a very rare 8K display to see footage in its full glory. However, HDR support is considerably broader: you 'only' need a device that can play HEVC video using HDR10. Some of Apple's newer devices (including the Apple TV 4K, iPhone X and 2017 iPad Pros) already do, and Vimeo is quick to point out that it's currently the only video hosting service to play HDR on Apple gear.
Sharp's $77,000 camcorder shows that 8K is coming soon
Sharp has unveiled an 8K camcorder that is undoubtedly aimed at the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but will be equally at home on a film set. Looking like an old-school ENG news camera, the 8C-B60A captures 8K, 10-bit 60fps video onto a large, Super 35mm sensor that's around the same size as the one on Red's Helium Weapon 8K. The custom 2TB SSD pack, developed in collaboration with Astrodesign, can hold about 40 minutes of 8K video.
Chinese startup's '8K' VR headset is surprisingly advanced
As much as I enjoy the occasional VR gameplay, I've been waiting for headset manufacturers to boost the pixel density in order to reduce the screen door effect, as well as to widen the FOV (field of view) for a more immersive experience. There's no doubt that the big names like HTC and Oculus are already working on it, but to my surprise, a Chinese startup by the name of Pimax simply went ahead. At CEATEC, I came across the Pimax 8K headset which not only features an incredible 7,680 x 2,160 resolution (more on that later), but also laser tracking that works with HTC Vive's base stations, plus an impressive 200-degree FOV which is almost double that of existing offerings.
Red's new flagship camera is the $80,000 Monstro 8K VV
RED's cinema cameras are too expensive for most of us, but they do push the state-of-the-art, making future cameras you can afford better. A case in point is RED's latest sensor called the Monstro 8K VV (Vista Vision). The bombastic name aside, it packs impressive specs. The sensor is 40.96 x 21.6 mm, which is slightly wider and slightly shorter than 35mm full-frame, handles 35.4-megapixel stills and 8K, 60 fps video, features 17+ claimed stops of dynamic range, and shoots at higher ISOs with lower noise than the last model.
Sharp is ready to sell 8K consumer TVs now that we all have 4K
While other electronics companies are just getting to consumer 4K screens, Sharp is once again focusing on the next resolution milestone. Today, Sharp announced its 8K AQUOS televisions will be coming to Japan and China in December, with releases in Taiwan and Europe planned for early 2018.
Binge-watching will be as easy as breathing
It's never been a better time to be a media addict. We're in the midst of a television renaissance, where writers are pushing the medium to new heights. It's easier than ever to get access to foreign and independent films. And the rise of streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, as well as digital rentals, makes it a cinch to watch just about anything we'd like at a whim. If anything, one of the biggest issues with the media landscape today is that there's simply too much to take in.
'Guardians of the Galaxy' team says why it used Red's 8K camera
When director James Gunn revealed that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 would be the first movie shot with Red's 8K Weapon camera, he triggered a bit of speculation: what prompted the move beyond the incredibly high resolution? You might have a better answer today. Red has posted a behind-the-scenes look at the movie that, to no one's surprise, talks a lot about why the Vol. 2 team shot with such relatively exotic gear. And no, it's not just about that picture quality.
Dell's 8K monitor is available for $5,000
Dell introduced its 31.5-inch 8K monitor at CES, which the company claims is the world's first consumer screen to meet such a ridiculous resolution. While it took a backseat to the artist-aimed Canvas at the tech show, the Ultrasharp 32 is finally available on Dell's online store for initial shipping in mid-April. Assuming you've got a spare $5,000 to spend.
This 8K 'VR' ride is the craziest thing I saw at SXSW
When I heard that several Japanese companies were getting together to show off an 8K VR ride at SXSW, I was instantly excited. I've spent a lot of time writing about 4K video but haven't had much time with 8K setups, let alone one in VR. After getting to the show though, I learned it isn't really a VR experience -- it just takes place on a giant screen that fills up everything you can see. I quickly got over that slight disappointment after seeing the crazy rig powering the ride, which looks like something straight out of Disney World. As far as weird SXSW experiences go, this one takes the cake.
Dell built a huge 27-inch 'Canvas' display for artists
If Microsoft's Surface Studio proved anything, it's that companies are less afraid to break with desktop traditions these days. In that vein, Dell introduced the Canvas today at CES, a sprawling 27-inch touchscreen device that's meant to take on Wacom's devices for digital artists. It's unlike anything we've seen from Dell so far, and it's yet another reminder that there's still plenty of room for innovation on the desktop front.
HDMI's new spec improves 8K, HDR and gaming
You're about to feel better if you've been holding back on buying a new TV. The HDMI Forum has unveiled a new specification for its namesake video connector, HDMI 2.1, and there's enough here to make enthusiasts happy. It now supports both very high resolutions and high frame rates. In particular, you can get 4K at a speedy 120Hz, and 8K at 60Hz (when 8K sets are ready). You'll even see 8K with high dynamic range, although you'll need new 48Gbps cables to experience this and other high-bandwidth features in all their uncompressed glory. Thankfully, there are some upgrades that shouldn't take years to reach your living room.
RED's latest modular cameras pack 8K 'Helium' sensors
RED's new 8K Weapon and Epic-W cameras with the new "Helium" sensors are now shipping, giving cinematographers up to 35-megapixel RAW images at 60 frames per second. The $49,500 and $29,500 cinema cameras (respectively) aren't exactly consumer products, but they do represent the state of the art in digital video. Now that they're available, you can expect to see slightly sharper images in upcoming films by directors like Michael Bay, who received his own unit ahead of the release.
Sony and Panasonic partner to sell 8K TVs by 2020
NHK boldly declared it would broadcast the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in 8K (also called Super Hi-Vision), but that's just four years away now and the grand total of 8K TVs on the market is ... one. To get things jump-started, the Japanese broadcaster has teamed up with Sony and Panasonic to develop the tech necessary to get more sets on the market, according to Nikkei.
The first 8K satellite TV broadcasts are live in Japan
Just as we were getting used to Ultra HD 4K, Japan's NHK has kicked off its Super Hi-Vision broadcast tests, sending out 4K and 8K video via satellite. Unfortunately, there's no way to watch the super high res feeds and 22.2 channel sound at home -- even with a $130,000 8K TV -- but interested Japanese residents can check out tests of the feeds at several public locations in Tokyo and Osaka. NHK is using the Rio Olympics as a testbed for technology that it hopes to roll out first in 2018, and have ready for the public time for the 2020 Olympics in Japan.
NBC: Rio 2016 broadcast is its 'most live Olympics ever'
While NBC has been criticized for years over its use of tape delay, a combination of multiple channels, live streaming and Brazil's favorable time zone (just hour ahead of ET) mean that shouldn't be a problem this summer. For Rio 2016, NBC says this will be its "most live Olympics ever" with 4,500 hours of coverage streaming on NBCOlympics.com and the recently renamed NBC Sports app. Also new this time around is that the NBC Sports app is on connected TV devices (it launched on Roku and Apple TV last year), not just mobile. You will, of course, still need a cable or satellite account to login and view everything, although NBC hasn't revealed all the details on how that will work.
