Much like the transition from SD to HD, things are beginning to fall in place. Sony, a big proponent of HD and HD films with Blu-ray is once again on the forefront and pushing 4K, the next evolution of the format. As the name suggest, 4K has four times the resolution of HD which results in televisions delivering video at 3,840 x 2,160. Yes, the statement that bigger is better is usually true. Bigger TV is better than smaller TV. 4K resolution is better than HD resolution. But with bigger, can also come headaches like four times the resolution means four times the size.
This in part is where the issues with 4K begin to surface. In order to show 4K content, cable and satellite providers need more bandwidth and capable pipes to push the media. The same holds true for your ISP and even the Blu-ray format. We live in a world, and maybe more the US that we’re just starting to discover what true high speed internet is and with our current infrastructure, there is no way that we can properly support 4K. That is, unless you’re eyeIO, the company whose video compression powers Sony’s 4K server.
You see, eyeIO is the company who has build the compression codec for the Sony 4K server (FMP-X1) which was unveiled at CES. The $699 media player which comes standard with Sony’s 84-inch 4K television is uniquely designed to pull down 4K movies from Sony Pictures like The Amazing Spider-Man and the remastered Lawrence of Arabia. The tech which is designed to compress 4K video with support for extended color gamut is meant to allow for easier downloading and streaming of the young format. The claim goes as “existing HDRes H.264 files 45 percent zippier now, while using 26 percent less bandwidth.” Netflix is said to be working with eyeIO in order to create their own 4K delivery system.
While compressed in it’s nature, it will be consumers who will vote with their wallets if they can see the benefits of 4K, even after compression. After all, a majority of consumers are happy with HD content from cable and Netflix, despite their compressed quality compared to that of Blu-ray.
Discuss:
Do you think bandwidth will hamper 4K expansion or is this a solved problem by compression?
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eyeIO Delivers Unprecedented Viewing Experience for Sony Pictures Content on Sony 4K UltraHD TVs
eyeIO technology readies new Sony Media Player with true 4K UltraHD titles at remarkably low bandwidth
PALO ALTO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Eye IO, LLC (eyeIO) announced today its UltraHD compression encoding technology has been licensed by Sony Pictures to enable the studio to offer the first-ever 4K UltraHD content delivered to the home.
“We are confident that eyeIO’s capabilities are perfectly matched with Sony’s commitment to high quality viewing experiences as well as creating and delivering captivating content to enhance the viewing experience of audiences everywhere.”
Owners of Sony Electronics 4K UltraHD TVs will be able to enjoy a selection of 4K movies delivered to their sets via Sony’s 4K media player, which launches this summer. eyeIO’s core video technology efficiently processes, compresses and encodes the enormous 4K source files into a format that requires significantly less bandwidth, making distribution more efficient and conserving storage space on devices as well as bandwidth costs.
“We are honored to play an integral part in the first commercial, worldwide use of 4K UltraHD with Sony Pictures,” said Rodolfo Vargas, CEO of eyeIO. “We are confident that eyeIO’s capabilities are perfectly matched with Sony’s commitment to high quality viewing experiences as well as creating and delivering captivating content to enhance the viewing experience of audiences everywhere.”
“From the cinema to the home, Sony Pictures Technologies strives to deliver the audience an experience that is as close as possible to the filmmaker’s original vision. eyeIO’s technology makes it practical to deliver movies to the home in unprecedented 4K quality, and we are proud to partner with them on this groundbreaking launch,” Chris Cookson, President, Sony Pictures Technologies, added.
The assets encoded at eyeIO’s Palo Alto headquarters are full 4K UltraHD, 3840×2160 resolution and include support for extended gamut color (xvYCC). eyeIO’s certified, 4K UltraHD offering has been perfected over the course of the last two years, offering a simplified workflow, ultra-high quality at incredible speed to improve cost efficiency and establish a standard for the industry at large.
Films available at launch include Bad Teacher, Battle: Los Angeles, The Bridge on the River Kwai, The Karate Kid (2010), Salt, Taxi Driver, That’s My Boy, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Other Guys and Total Recall (2012). For more information on Sony’s 4K UltraHD TVs, visit www.sony.com/4K.
About eyeIO
EYE IO, LLC (eyeIO) is a privately held, Palo Alto based startup developing breakthrough H.264 and H.265 solutions that represent the culmination of years of progressive research in next generation TV video delivery. eyeIO H.264 first and second-generation technology enables cloud-based video engines, on-demand video services and over-the-top (OTT) providers to deliver premium video over today’s global Internet infrastructure at greatly reduced costs and higher fidelity. With more than 107 billion video frames encoded to date and reaching over 35 million end viewers worldwide, eyeIO enables its customers to deliver the highest, most consistent video quality to thousands of connected devices worldwide, including tablets, smart televisions and 4K UltraHD TVs with unsurpassed playback speed, device compatibility and production stability. Visit www.eyeio.com to learn more. eyeIO’s Digital Cinema HD Video Quality is THX® certified.
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