Live 4K football broadcasting trials have already started in the UK, and the Ultra HD cameras were present at a match between West Ham and Stoke. The signal was beamed back to the studios in West London via a satellite link where the results were displayed on an 84inch display to be enjoyed by several Sky executives and engineers.
While 3D coverage has been technically challenging to implement, and often requires special glasses to view it, the Ultra HD cameras are much more portable and being 4 times the resolution of full HD, should represent a more noticeable difference than the jump from SD to HD.
Most major TV manufacturers are already offering Ultra HD sets and prices are coming down quickly, and the higher pixel density of these displays is suitable for more closer viewing.
Meanwhile, more and more pixels are also being squeezed in to mobile displays, and pixel densities approaching 600ppi are expected later in 2014. Along with faster processors and internet connections, this should provide a vivid way to experience Ultra HD sports and movie content. Although it is questionable as to whether these extra pixels would make any visible difference to the eye on such a small device, it opens up many opportunities for interactivity.
Once wide angle content becomes available and streamed at this resolution, or higher, a mobile app user could tilt their device left or right, or up and down, to “look around” the field of play, and zoom in or out of the action as desired. Along with choice of cameras this could provide a much more immersive viewing experience.
Mobile developers should keep a look out for news surrounding this technology, and major announcements are expected at the Mobile World Congress in February.