Will Ultra-High-Definition TV Kill Off HDTV and Blu-ray?

In this ever changing world of technological achievements, the next big thing for TV owners may just be ultra-high definition television (UHDTV). The worldwide standard for this new medium has already been agreed upon by the International Telecommunication Union this summer.

UHDTV allows for viewing that is up to 16 times better in terms of picture quality than the best HDTV currently available. It actually comes in two different levels, neither of which deals with resolution, however. Essentially, level one allows for 4K which is what today's digital quality exists as. This technology is already here with companies like Sony already able to transmit in 4K.

The second level, which is more powerful, doubles that to 8K which translates to being 16 times more powerful than what can be viewed on today's HDTV models.

At the International Broadcasting Convention held earlier this month in Amsterdam, many broadcasters indicated they were on board with the new ultra-high def technology, though they realized the transition will be a slow one, especially since many countries have yet to complete the transition to HD itself. Even so, at least one company, Sky Deutschland, is already working on UHDTV.

At the forefront of the UHDTV bandwagon is Japan's NHK broadcasting station which actually showed clips of the London 2012 Olympics' opening ceremony in 8K during the convention. A prototype 85" LCD screen from Sharp in 8K was used to display the footage.

There is debate, however, that economics will allow for the 8K transition. Still, many believe the ultra-hd advancement is the next big thing and is going to happen in the not-too-distant corner. Some also opine that the move to UHDTV could hinder the Blu-ray revolution significantly.