While there are already a handful of displays on the market with 4K pixel resolution, they’re extremely expensive, and there’s very little content available for them. Now, RED Digital Cinema has announced a new video player capable of outputting 4K video without breaking the bank too badly.
The REDRAY player can play native 4K (4096×2160) resolution video files. It can output these to either a single 4K display through an HDMI 1.4 connector, or to a grid of four monitors using four HDMI 1.3 connectors. It’s also capable of playback of 3D content, as well as high frame rate content at 48 or 60fps (like the new Hobbit movie.)
While the player is clearly designed primarily for commercial installations, you can certainly use it in your home theater if you’ve got a way to get 4K source material – like if you shoot some with a RED camera, and prep the files using REDCINE-X PRO.
You can also use the player to upscale standard H.264 HD content to 4K resolution as well. Inside, it’s got a 1TB SATA hard drive for storing up to 100 hours of 4k content, and can receive content via Internet download, SD card or USB flash media. Its audio capabilties aren’t too shabby either, and it supports up to 7.1 channel LPCM sources in 24-bit, 48Khz quality. It also offers wireless remote control via IR or 802.11n.
You can pre-order the REDRAY over at the RED store now for $1450(USD). RED expect to start shipping them in Q1 2013.
