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8K Association Certified Program

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It was only a few years ago that the idea of anyone needing or wanting – much less having available – 8K screens was beyond ridiculous. But here we are, a new decade and a new CES coming and a headline about 8K Association Certified Program Now Available for High Performance 8K TVs – and a new 3 Letter Acronym: 8KA.

The 8K Association represents 22 companies with skin in the game. Which will be the first to get an 8K unit into the carts of CostCo buyers? We know that they will be available in Japan for the Olympics, because LG just said so, and NHK has been at it for a long time 

8K is now being broadcast in Japan – Newsshooter

Olympic broadcasters are really pushing 8K TV for 2020 in Tokyo

LG Begins 8K OLED TV Pitch In Japan Prior To Olympics | HD Guru

 Here is the big pitch from the 8K Association:

Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 30, 2019 – The 8K Association (8KA), the leading cross-industry group promoting growth and harmonization throughout the 8K ecosystem, is pleased to announce that an 8K Association Certified program for 8K TVs is now available for 8K TVs that meet the exacting requirements outlined by the 8K Association.  8K Association Certified TVs feature 4 times as many pixels as standard 4K TVs for impactfully realistic clarity and deliver exceptional contrast and color for striking high dynamic range performance.  Member companies of the 8K Association will be able to promote 8K TVs under the 8K Association Certified banner after each TV model’s performance criteria is validated by an independent Certification Program Manager.  Under this certification program for 8K televisions, TV brands will be able to display the 8K Association Certified logo to consumers to demonstrate the verified high-performance characteristics of each TV model.

The 8K Association expects that many top TV brands will launch 8KA-Certified TVs in 2020 and will use the 8KA Certified logo in the marketing of those TVs.

8K Association Logo
8K Certified Logo_A_color_smaller_Final
For 2020, the 8K Association plans to ramp up its education and industry cooperation activities.  With strong membership growth from companies representing all parts of the 8K ecosystem, the 8KA plans a number of initiatives in the year ahead to foster continued growth and awareness of 8K via:

  • Promotion and certification of 8K TVs with the 8K Association Certified program back by robust compliance validation
  • Expanded promotional activity for the 8K industry to create cutting edge demos showcasing the maturing nature of 8K products, production workflows, delivery options and display devices
  • New initiatives to reach consumers to promote the 8K ecosystem wherever people are engaging around high-quality video content.
  • Facilitate the adoption of higher efficiency 8K streaming technologies.

The 8K Association now counts 5 of the world’s leading panel manufacturers as members.  According to the 8K Association’s estimates, these 5 leading suppliers represent over 70% of the global TV panel manufacturing capacity in 2019.  With such strong support for 8K resolution technology among the majority of panel-makers, the momentum behind 8K display growth will continue to increase in the year ahead, ensuring that more consumers will be able to enjoy the performance benefits of an 8K TV in their home in 2020.

Looking ahead, the 8KA expects adoption of 8K in content creation, distribution and home penetration to follow a similar growth pattern as the rapidly successful adoption of 4K over the past several years, with 8K displays leading the way.  Companies evaluating the impact of 8K or actively engaged in some aspect of the 8K ecosystem are encouraged to consider joining the 8K Association and helping to create the future.

Phillip Holland, a renowned 8K cinematography pioneer, commented about the release of the new 8K Association Certified program, “As a content creator and filmmaker, it is a joy to provide entertainment with such high visual standards to viewers around the world.  8K is much more than a resolution, it’s about creating a very high-quality viewing medium to present content in the best way possible.  Now with the 8K Association Certified logo program, viewers can easily see if they are looking at a television that can accurately deliver that extremely high-quality 8K content.”

“8K is more than just a logo on a box. A true 8K TV needs to meet various picture quality criteria to deliver a superior viewing experience. The 8K association’s test criteria, which includes requirements for peak white and black levels, offers a standardized yet comprehensive means for manufacturers to self-certify the performance of their 8K offerings — to the benefit of the entire TV industry.”   Mark Henninger – Editor, AVS Forum

“With the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan the first major event to be broadcast in 8K… barriers to uptake will begin to fall away” – Matthew Rubin, Futuresource

About the 8K Association: 

The organization’s mission is to grow appreciation and awareness of 8K products which will provide an even higher level of enjoyment which is paramount to large screen entertainment. Its activities include development of performance and interface specifications, compliance logo programs, education and coordination with 8K ecosystem developers to help build the 8K market.

The 8K Association (8KA) has quickly grown its membership to now include 22 leading companies at the forefront of deploying 8K content and technology.  Its membership constitutes global leadership in consumer electronics, display manufacturing, ingredient technology providers as well as content and distribution.  With its membership focused on growth of the 8K ecosystem, the association’s activities are coordinated through five active work groups, including: Technology, Marketing, Certification, Content & Distribution, and Legal.

Workflow

8K Association Certified Program

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It was only a few years ago that the idea of anyone needing or wanting – much less having available – 8K screens was beyond ridiculous. But here we are, a new decade and a new CES coming and a headline about 8K Association Certified Program Now Available for High Performance 8K TVs – and a new 3 Letter Acronym: 8KA.

The 8K Association represents 22 companies with skin in the game. Which will be the first to get an 8K unit into the carts of CostCo buyers? We know that they will be available in Japan for the Olympics, because LG just said so, and NHK has been at it for a long time 

8K is now being broadcast in Japan – Newsshooter

Olympic broadcasters are really pushing 8K TV for 2020 in Tokyo

LG Begins 8K OLED TV Pitch In Japan Prior To Olympics | HD Guru

 Here is the big pitch from the 8K Association:

Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 30, 2019 – The 8K Association (8KA), the leading cross-industry group promoting growth and harmonization throughout the 8K ecosystem, is pleased to announce that an 8K Association Certified program for 8K TVs is now available for 8K TVs that meet the exacting requirements outlined by the 8K Association.  8K Association Certified TVs feature 4 times as many pixels as standard 4K TVs for impactfully realistic clarity and deliver exceptional contrast and color for striking high dynamic range performance.  Member companies of the 8K Association will be able to promote 8K TVs under the 8K Association Certified banner after each TV model’s performance criteria is validated by an independent Certification Program Manager.  Under this certification program for 8K televisions, TV brands will be able to display the 8K Association Certified logo to consumers to demonstrate the verified high-performance characteristics of each TV model.

The 8K Association expects that many top TV brands will launch 8KA-Certified TVs in 2020 and will use the 8KA Certified logo in the marketing of those TVs.

8K Association Logo
8K Certified Logo_A_color_smaller_Final
For 2020, the 8K Association plans to ramp up its education and industry cooperation activities.  With strong membership growth from companies representing all parts of the 8K ecosystem, the 8KA plans a number of initiatives in the year ahead to foster continued growth and awareness of 8K via:

  • Promotion and certification of 8K TVs with the 8K Association Certified program back by robust compliance validation
  • Expanded promotional activity for the 8K industry to create cutting edge demos showcasing the maturing nature of 8K products, production workflows, delivery options and display devices
  • New initiatives to reach consumers to promote the 8K ecosystem wherever people are engaging around high-quality video content.
  • Facilitate the adoption of higher efficiency 8K streaming technologies.

The 8K Association now counts 5 of the world’s leading panel manufacturers as members.  According to the 8K Association’s estimates, these 5 leading suppliers represent over 70% of the global TV panel manufacturing capacity in 2019.  With such strong support for 8K resolution technology among the majority of panel-makers, the momentum behind 8K display growth will continue to increase in the year ahead, ensuring that more consumers will be able to enjoy the performance benefits of an 8K TV in their home in 2020.

Looking ahead, the 8KA expects adoption of 8K in content creation, distribution and home penetration to follow a similar growth pattern as the rapidly successful adoption of 4K over the past several years, with 8K displays leading the way.  Companies evaluating the impact of 8K or actively engaged in some aspect of the 8K ecosystem are encouraged to consider joining the 8K Association and helping to create the future.

Phillip Holland, a renowned 8K cinematography pioneer, commented about the release of the new 8K Association Certified program, “As a content creator and filmmaker, it is a joy to provide entertainment with such high visual standards to viewers around the world.  8K is much more than a resolution, it’s about creating a very high-quality viewing medium to present content in the best way possible.  Now with the 8K Association Certified logo program, viewers can easily see if they are looking at a television that can accurately deliver that extremely high-quality 8K content.”

“8K is more than just a logo on a box. A true 8K TV needs to meet various picture quality criteria to deliver a superior viewing experience. The 8K association’s test criteria, which includes requirements for peak white and black levels, offers a standardized yet comprehensive means for manufacturers to self-certify the performance of their 8K offerings — to the benefit of the entire TV industry.”   Mark Henninger – Editor, AVS Forum

“With the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan the first major event to be broadcast in 8K… barriers to uptake will begin to fall away” – Matthew Rubin, Futuresource

About the 8K Association: 

The organization’s mission is to grow appreciation and awareness of 8K products which will provide an even higher level of enjoyment which is paramount to large screen entertainment. Its activities include development of performance and interface specifications, compliance logo programs, education and coordination with 8K ecosystem developers to help build the 8K market.

The 8K Association (8KA) has quickly grown its membership to now include 22 leading companies at the forefront of deploying 8K content and technology.  Its membership constitutes global leadership in consumer electronics, display manufacturing, ingredient technology providers as well as content and distribution.  With its membership focused on growth of the 8K ecosystem, the association’s activities are coordinated through five active work groups, including: Technology, Marketing, Certification, Content & Distribution, and Legal.

Video Processing

Confusing Definitions – Home and Away | Dolby Vision 4 and More

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 Talking 2020 and pointers colors techThe panelists of both events discussed and showed many things with great nuance. Many flavors of the CIE chart were presented by everyone, with a touch of explanation for each – and the star at both events was Pointers Colors. The undiscussed star was: Library. It reminded one of 2007 SMPTE/NAB CinemaDays, when Chris Cookson from Warners made the point that every effort would be made to encourage producers to produce in 4K, even at greater cost and complication, because: Think of the Library. Now, when asked, what color space do you consider for the producer and how is that influenced, the unchallenged quip was: What color is the ink on the check.

The immediate question of what color space to work in ranges from quick and dirty unscripted television and less demanding wedding productions to movies shot on film and delivered to the Netflix streaming specNetflix streaming spec. All agree that the course of TVs in the home and the high end of cinema is some version of larger color spaces. All agree that the future viewer will be used to seeing at least the P3 space, if not more. Cinema is already there with P3, with an advancing capability toward 2020 – perhaps what Bill Beck used to call 1919, or what Dave Stump calls P3 and a half. Home TV is being sold as 2020 capable, but deliverables are at best – with some exceptions – P3 in a 2020 container. DVD (in the 601 space) and Blu-Ray (in the 709 space) has been on a downward trend, with fewer and fewer sold (notwithstanding the Lionsgate announcement last week of John Wick III selling three million units in combined packaged media (DVD, Blu-ray, 4K HD), EST and Video on Demand rentals), and it seems that industry leader Samsung is throwing in the towel on 4K UHD Blu-ray.

What the colorists group first saw was the latest advancement of finishing tools in Dolby 4.0, presented by Greg Hamlin. Although technically 4.0 has been released for a while, it takes quite a while for the components to be developed and then incorporated into the post production equipment and – pointed out many times – having a great capable monitor, something well above the minimum requirement of 1000 nits. Appreciating his resume, people appreciated his guidance – start with the automated analysis and improve from there depending on what you need. Among the nice improvements that new equipment is starting to facilitate are many nuanced choices in color management like secondary saturation and trims, which have been strong wishes for a while, and the ability to take in and push out to Apple’s ProRes 4444 XQ instead of being ‘limited’ to 16 bit TIFFs.

from grading system output to Dolby Mastering Workflow

Larry Chertoff led part 2 of the Colorists exploration by showing the latest advancements in MTI’s Cortex system – too much detail to explain, but again, automatic analysis combined with elegant views of light and color – almost as if you are watching audio go by – bring very clever precision to the colorists game.

For a roundup of details and the complications, see the SMTPE Technology Essentials Series Webcast HDR, 4K, and Beyond from Molly Hill, Applications Engineer, Dolby Laboratories. 

Mystery Box also has a nice summation at: DOLBY VISION AND INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING

  

Video Processing

Confusing Definitions – Home and Away | Dolby Vision 4 and More

Leave a comment

 Talking 2020 and pointers colors techThe panelists of both events discussed and showed many things with great nuance. Many flavors of the CIE chart were presented by everyone, with a touch of explanation for each – and the star at both events was Pointers Colors. The undiscussed star was: Library. It reminded one of 2007 SMPTE/NAB CinemaDays, when Chris Cookson from Warners made the point that every effort would be made to encourage producers to produce in 4K, even at greater cost and complication, because: Think of the Library. Now, when asked, what color space do you consider for the producer and how is that influenced, the unchallenged quip was: What color is the ink on the check.

The immediate question of what color space to work in ranges from quick and dirty unscripted television and less demanding wedding productions to movies shot on film and delivered to the Netflix streaming specNetflix streaming spec. All agree that the course of TVs in the home and the high end of cinema is some version of larger color spaces. All agree that the future viewer will be used to seeing at least the P3 space, if not more. Cinema is already there with P3, with an advancing capability toward 2020 – perhaps what Bill Beck used to call 1919, or what Dave Stump calls P3 and a half. Home TV is being sold as 2020 capable, but deliverables are at best – with some exceptions – P3 in a 2020 container. DVD (in the 601 space) and Blu-Ray (in the 709 space) has been on a downward trend, with fewer and fewer sold (notwithstanding the Lionsgate announcement last week of John Wick III selling three million units in combined packaged media (DVD, Blu-ray, 4K HD), EST and Video on Demand rentals), and it seems that industry leader Samsung is throwing in the towel on 4K UHD Blu-ray.

What the colorists group first saw was the latest advancement of finishing tools in Dolby 4.0, presented by Greg Hamlin. Although technically 4.0 has been released for a while, it takes quite a while for the components to be developed and then incorporated into the post production equipment and – pointed out many times – having a great capable monitor, something well above the minimum requirement of 1000 nits. Appreciating his resume, people appreciated his guidance – start with the automated analysis and improve from there depending on what you need. Among the nice improvements that new equipment is starting to facilitate are many nuanced choices in color management like secondary saturation and trims, which have been strong wishes for a while, and the ability to take in and push out to Apple’s ProRes 4444 XQ instead of being ‘limited’ to 16 bit TIFFs.

from grading system output to Dolby Mastering Workflow

Larry Chertoff led part 2 of the Colorists exploration by showing the latest advancements in MTI’s Cortex system – too much detail to explain, but again, automatic analysis combined with elegant views of light and color – almost as if you are watching audio go by – bring very clever precision to the colorists game.

For a roundup of details and the complications, see the SMTPE Technology Essentials Series Webcast HDR, 4K, and Beyond from Molly Hill, Applications Engineer, Dolby Laboratories. 

Mystery Box also has a nice summation at: DOLBY VISION AND INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING

  

Video Processing

Confusing Definitions – Home and Away | Dolby Vision 4 and More

Leave a comment

 Talking 2020 and pointers colors techThe panelists of both events discussed and showed many things with great nuance. Many flavors of the CIE chart were presented by everyone, with a touch of explanation for each – and the star at both events was Pointers Colors. The undiscussed star was: Library. It reminded one of 2007 SMPTE/NAB CinemaDays, when Chris Cookson from Warners made the point that every effort would be made to encourage producers to produce in 4K, even at greater cost and complication, because: Think of the Library. Now, when asked, what color space do you consider for the producer and how is that influenced, the unchallenged quip was: What color is the ink on the check.

The immediate question of what color space to work in ranges from quick and dirty unscripted television and less demanding wedding productions to movies shot on film and delivered to the Netflix streaming specNetflix streaming spec. All agree that the course of TVs in the home and the high end of cinema is some version of larger color spaces. All agree that the future viewer will be used to seeing at least the P3 space, if not more. Cinema is already there with P3, with an advancing capability toward 2020 – perhaps what Bill Beck used to call 1919, or what Dave Stump calls P3 and a half. Home TV is being sold as 2020 capable, but deliverables are at best – with some exceptions – P3 in a 2020 container. DVD (in the 601 space) and Blu-Ray (in the 709 space) has been on a downward trend, with fewer and fewer sold (notwithstanding the Lionsgate announcement last week of John Wick III selling three million units in combined packaged media (DVD, Blu-ray, 4K HD), EST and Video on Demand rentals), and it seems that industry leader Samsung is throwing in the towel on 4K UHD Blu-ray.

What the colorists group first saw was the latest advancement of finishing tools in Dolby 4.0, presented by Greg Hamlin. Although technically 4.0 has been released for a while, it takes quite a while for the components to be developed and then incorporated into the post production equipment and – pointed out many times – having a great capable monitor, something well above the minimum requirement of 1000 nits. Appreciating his resume, people appreciated his guidance – start with the automated analysis and improve from there depending on what you need. Among the nice improvements that new equipment is starting to facilitate are many nuanced choices in color management like secondary saturation and trims, which have been strong wishes for a while, and the ability to take in and push out to Apple’s ProRes 4444 XQ instead of being ‘limited’ to 16 bit TIFFs.

from grading system output to Dolby Mastering Workflow

Larry Chertoff led part 2 of the Colorists exploration by showing the latest advancements in MTI’s Cortex system – too much detail to explain, but again, automatic analysis combined with elegant views of light and color – almost as if you are watching audio go by – bring very clever precision to the colorists game.

For a roundup of details and the complications, see the SMTPE Technology Essentials Series Webcast HDR, 4K, and Beyond from Molly Hill, Applications Engineer, Dolby Laboratories. 

Mystery Box also has a nice summation at: DOLBY VISION AND INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING

  

Workflow

You believe that Snellen eyechart or your lying eyes?

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Chris Chinnock of Insight Media has tied together a group of interesting data to counter the meme that the visual acuity of the Human Visual System is incapable of discerning differences in 4K or 8K unless one is close enough to get nose oil on the screen.

Finally those who see movement flaws and dithering in 4K materials from distances supposedly impossible can stop doubting themselves, armed with science. Effects such as Film layers put over video that are composed of various forms of dithering dirt that show up on LED screens can be explained. …– even though that addition is perhaps worthy for the 2K or 4K projection to remove the video look.

See: 8K TVs Top TV Line-ups for a Reason

For those not familiar with Chris and Insight Media, he has been assembling various focused multi-day seminars which go beyond what is typically delved into during HPA (they go into topics of the future but are not as focused on any one topic) or the NAB/IBC/ISE/CES circuits (which dance around immediately interesting topics generated from the new developments that manufacturers are showing). Nothing wrong with those, but the Insight Media sessions hit their topics from experts in with newly developed information from several tangents.      

For example, the October 2018 Display Summit held at the Harman International facility in Northridge gathered 30 experts on light field and LED technology. (It took 5 of them before I understood that there will never be a Star Wars hologram kit in my cereal box, ever. And although I have been in Barco facilities that had walls full of LED displays under test – headed to concerts, stores and exhibition displays, I was still surprised to hear a Barco/Cinionics speaker discussing LED walls for cinema.)

And here is a link for a little music to listen to while reading Chris’ piece: El Panquelero – Silvia Perez Cruz & Javier Colina Trio

Workflow

You believe that Snellen eyechart or your lying eyes?

Leave a comment

Chris Chinnock of Insight Media has tied together a group of interesting data to counter the meme that the visual acuity of the Human Visual System is incapable of discerning differences in 4K or 8K unless one is close enough to get nose oil on the screen.

Finally those who see movement flaws and dithering in 4K materials from distances supposedly impossible can stop doubting themselves, armed with science. Effects such as Film layers put over video that are composed of various forms of dithering dirt that show up on LED screens can be explained. …– even though that addition is perhaps worthy for the 2K or 4K projection to remove the video look.

See: 8K TVs Top TV Line-ups for a Reason

For those not familiar with Chris and Insight Media, he has been assembling various focused multi-day seminars which go beyond what is typically delved into during HPA (they go into topics of the future but are not as focused on any one topic) or the NAB/IBC/ISE/CES circuits (which dance around immediately interesting topics generated from the new developments that manufacturers are showing). Nothing wrong with those, but the Insight Media sessions hit their topics from experts in with newly developed information from several tangents.      

For example, the October 2018 Display Summit held at the Harman International facility in Northridge gathered 30 experts on light field and LED technology. (It took 5 of them before I understood that there will never be a Star Wars hologram kit in my cereal box, ever. And although I have been in Barco facilities that had walls full of LED displays under test – headed to concerts, stores and exhibition displays, I was still surprised to hear a Barco/Cinionics speaker discussing LED walls for cinema.)

And here is a link for a little music to listen to while reading Chris’ piece: El Panquelero – Silvia Perez Cruz & Javier Colina Trio

…Like Tangents In Rain