Hasta La Gadget!

Michael Lynton, CEO of Sony Entertainment, has taken the stage here in Dana Point, California for this year’s D:Dive Into Media, speaking candidly about his outfit’s use of social media to advertise, and more importantly, how modern technology is impacting meaningful change on the creative side of things. Citing shows like Sons of Anarchy, Mad Men and Breaking Bad — ones that he’s obviously a fan of — he noted that the proliferation of DVR technology has enabled a lot of it.

“I personally believe that this explosion in creativity you’re seeing right now is due to the fact that you can create 13 episode, long-form narratives and then watch it whenever you want. It even brings better directors and writers who don’t think that they can tell their stories in the two-hour frame of a major motion picture. I think this is a direct effect of technology. It’s the first time I’ve seen it — there was always talk about how technology would impact creative, and this is it.”

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Sony

Comments

In one of the smoothest and perhaps most irresistible measures made thus far for the new high definition television technology, Japan has announced that it will be broadcasting the 2014 World Cup in 4K. This means that everyone working with a 4K television by then (read: everyone with bottomless wallets) will be watching this Brazil-based sporting event inside Japan next year. So those of you with an entertainment establishment of any kind (sports bars, we’re looking at you), you’ll want to think about which model you want to pick up between here and then.

This announcement was made via the Asahi Times by the Japanese ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication and will also be marking the world’s first official 4G television broadcast. It would appear that this move may have something to do with the fact that Japan has several major-label manufacturers of 4K TV sets inside its borders, but you never know. Panasonic, Toshiba, Sony, and Sharp may very possibly have something to do with this push.

While there are bits and pieces of 4K Optimized media in the wild like Total Recall (good luck finding a copy), you’ll find that the current offerings from Hollywood and the like are still scant. This first broadcast will be pushed through Japan’s communications satellites rather than direct broadcast satellites, the second option coming on “at a later stage” according to Broadband TV News. We’ve still yet to hear exactly when the USA will be gaining such excellence in our above-and-beyond displays galore.

Have a peek at the timeline below to see recent explosions in 4K technology appearing over the past few weeks. SlashGear had the opportunity to check out several 4K TV sets at CES 2013 and we’re expecting more throughout the year – this high definition madness has only just begun!

World’s First 4K TV broadcast set for 2014 World Cup is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

At this year’s CES, we noticed a trend in HDTVs that took focus away from 3D support to higher definition sets. A number of 4K HDTVs were announced this year, which means you’ll not only need to save a ton of cash in order to buy one, but we’ll soon be seeing much higher quality video once 4K programming starts rolling out. In the U.S., we’re just starting to hear chatter from content providers, like Netflix, in regards to being able to stream 3D and Super HD video. Japan, on the other hand, is already promising 4K TV broadcasts as early as next year.

Starting July 2014, Japan has said it expects to broadcast 4K television programs, which is two years ahead of its original schedule. The 4K broadcasts will first use communication satellite channels, then move to broadcast satellites and, ultimately, digital broadcasting.

There’s very little information at this point in regards to how wide the 4K support will reach, but Japan launching 4K broadcasts two years ahead of schedule has now put the country on track to support 8K broadcasts, which is expected to launch in 2016.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Samsung Smart TV, Blu-ray Verizon FiOS TV App Updated With 75 Live Channels, Hisense T710, K560 Now Available On Amazon,

During CES week, European television network Eutelsat launched the first-ever 4K TV channel, and while it’s only for experimental and demonstration purposes, it’ll set the tone for the future of television broadcasting. Case in point: Japan is planning on launching 4K TV broadcasts in July 2014, which is two years ahead of schedule.

According to a report from the Asahi Shimbun, the 4K transmissions will first begin using communication satellite channels before moving to broadcast satellites, with digital broadcasting arriving at a later date. Not a lot of details are available at this point, but it should only be a matter of time before we hear more about 4K TV broadcasting.

However, the report notes that the 4K broadcast is set to be up and running by the time the final match of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil kicks off, which will no doubt excite avid soccer fans in Japan. Plus, since 4K broadcasts are two years ahead of schedule, they’re also moving up 8K broadcasts as well, which should be launching in 2016.

The biggest story of CES 2013 was the rise of 4K televisions. It’s certainly not the first time we’ve heard about them this year, but companies like Sony, Panasonic, Sharp, and LG are just now putting their respective models up for sale, but of course, it’ll cost you a pretty penny to afford one of these new panels.

[via Reuters]

Japan to launch 4K TV broadcasts in July 2014 is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Sony announced today some new home theater equipment that will surely get any audiophile and home entertainment junkie to giggle with joy. The company introduced a new family of Blu-Ray Home Cinema and Sound Bar speaker systems that come with a slew of new features never before implemented into their products before.

The new design of the home entertainment systems were inspired by Sony’s own “Sense of Quartz” design used on the company’s Bravia line of televisions, that way users can have matching equipment if they happen to have a Bravia TV. The new systems also allow for easy wireless streaming of music through a smartphone or tablet.

Perhaps the most notable feature is the 4K upscaling that comes with the new N-series Blu-ray Home Cinema system. Of course, upscaling always takes away some of the quality, but it’s probably better than watching a movie at its native resolution on a higher-res display. Then again, you’ll need a 4K TV to take advantage of the new feature, but someday, right?

Sony is also touting the new Football Mode, which uses “acoustic data” that’s captured at a Brazilian football stadium, and makes it feel like you’re actually there in the stands. Essentially, Football Mode (soccer, for those Americans) allows you to cut the commentator’s voice when you simply want to focus on the action with no other distractions. Sony says that the new feature also supports other sports like rugby, tennis, and racing. No pricing details were given, but you can expect these new systems to become available in May.

Sony announces new home cinema systems with 4K upscaling is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.