4K Streaming
tps316
Newbie

Will Verizon anytime soon take advantage of their fiber network to start streaming programming in 4K.  I believe there is not a huge technical issue as far as their network is concerned.

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Re: 4K Streaming
CRobGauth
Community Leader
Community Leader

Sure there is. they only have the same bandwidth for TV that most cable systems do.

And I am not sure there is any 4K content out there available to stream.

Not to mention too few customers with 4K TVs.

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Re: 4K Streaming
film111
Specialist - Level 1

@CRobGauth wrote:

Sure there is. they only have the same bandwidth for TV that most cable systems do.

And I am not sure there is any 4K content out there available to stream.

Not to mention too few customers with 4K TVs.


All very true.  Heck, Verizon can barely add an HD Channel!  And of course, There is no 4K material.  I believe the only thing you might get in 4K is "House of Cards."  but that's it.  There are not even any 4K Blu-Rays!  (There is some sort of 4K piece of tech from Sony that has a number of their films in 4K.  But it costs around $600.)   

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Re: 4K Streaming
SinCara
Specialist - Level 2

@film11 wrote:

@CRobGauth wrote:

Sure there is. they only have the same bandwidth for TV that most cable systems do.

And I am not sure there is any 4K content out there available to stream.

Not to mention too few customers with 4K TVs.


There are not even any 4K Blu-Rays!  (There is some sort of 4K piece of tech from Sony that has a number of their films in 4K.  But it costs around $600.)   

Actually Robocop (original) was just re-released in 4k on blu ray so I'm sure there are others. Slim pickings, but they are starting to come out.

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Re: 4K Streaming
film111
Specialist - Level 1

@SinCara wrote:


Actually Robocop (original) was just re-released in 4k on blu ray so I'm sure there are others. Slim pickings, but they are starting to come out.


I think you're confused a bit...only natural considering how some of these things are worded.  ROBOCOP got a 4K scan but it is NOT a 4K Blu-Ray and does not display using 4K.  A lot of movies get 4K scans for Blu these days...JAWS, Criterion's A HARD DAY's NIGHT, etc.  My copy of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 3D indicates that it is "Mastered in 4K".  But a movie being mastered in 4K doesn't mean that the Blu is 4K. (The 3D was great, tho!)  So those discs are NOT actually outputting anything in that format...the Blu-Ray standards were adopted years before 4K existed.   Right now, I don't think the Blu-Ray group has even settled on a standard for players yet.  I have heard that a 4K BD player MIGHT be out for Xmas 2015.  Time will tell.

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Re: 4K Streaming
Matt_Vz
Newbie

It's a bit early for 4K.  The technical standards are still being worked out. 

It may not be well known, but required items like HDMI 2.0, compression standards, content encruption, and video profiles (such at bit depth, bit rate, color gamut) are still being worked on. 

Some companies are experimenting with it now, but the big item missing in the puzzle is the content.  There just aren't that many titles yet, and most that are available are a few older movies or demonstration videos.  Even more visible players, like Neflix, only works on a few late model Samsung TVs right now.

This is a little like when HD first came on the scene in the mid 1990s.  It took a few years before it started getting adopted.

If you have a 4K set, the good news is that it's very smart, and should do a really good job on HD that's available now, and when 4K becomes more common, you're all set.

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Re: 4K Streaming
film111
Specialist - Level 1

@Matt_Vz wrote:

It's a bit early for 4K.  The technical standards are still being worked out. 

It may not be well known, but required items like HDMI 2.0, compression standards, content encruption, and video profiles (such at bit depth, bit rate, color gamut) are still being worked on. 

Some companies are experimenting with it now, but the big item missing in the puzzle is the content.  There just aren't that many titles yet, and most that are available are a few older movies or demonstration videos.  Even more visible players, like Neflix, only works on a few late model Samsung TVs right now.

This is a little like when HD first came on the scene in the mid 1990s.  It took a few years before it started getting adopted.

If you have a 4K set, the good news is that it's very smart, and should do a really good job on HD that's available now, and when 4K becomes more common, you're all set.


Which is why I'll wait,  Right now we know there is NO 4K content to watch on disc, cable, or satellite.  (As I noted earlier, the sole 4K movie source is Sony's Digital Player for only around $600.00!)  Plus, from what I've seen so far (as well as heard from others), while today's 4K sets look great with 1080p and 3D,  it does not handle upscaling 420p (DVD), 720p and 1080i (cable, satellite, and broadcast HD) very well.  So I will wait and let them work out the bugs. By then, prices should be better as well.   If I were buying a set today, I'd just look for the best HD (all resolutions), the best DVD upconversion, and good 3D.  Those things are available to enjoy now, not 3 - 5 years from now   Otherwise (to my mind) you just have a very expensive place-marker.

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Re: 4K Streaming
optivity
Contributor - Level 3

HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) H.265 w/4K compression is supposed to become the de facto standard used to stream Ultra HD content from source to your TV.

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Re: 4K Streaming
celticpride1
Contributor - Level 2

there may bemore 4k  here sooner than you think! I read that netflix also has breaking bad in 4k as well as some originals series of theres will be in 4k,also AMAZON PRIME now has  some 4k available for FREE if your a prime member,and DIRECTV already has a few shows in 4k plus they just launched a new  SATELLITE for 4k ,Which should start having more 4k content in the spring of 2015!

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Re: 4K Streaming
film111
Specialist - Level 1

@celticpride wrote:

there may bemore 4k  here sooner than you think! I read that netflix also has breaking bad in 4k as well as some originals series of theres will be in 4k,also AMAZON PRIME now has  some 4k available for FREE if your a prime member,and DIRECTV already has a few shows in 4k plus they just launched a new  SATELLITE for 4k ,Which should start having more 4k content in the spring of 2015!


Can you imagine back when 3D came out if they said "Well, there's nothing to watch now but Amazon and Netflix may have a few items a year from now....but no Blu or cable offereings.  Of course, there was plenty of 3D at inception, thankfully.  And since current 4K sets are weeker on displayimng 420, 720p, or 1080i, I'll wait until they get the bugs worked out.

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