Netflix tests 'ultra high definition' 4K video streams
4 November 2013 Last updated at 12:39 ET
Netflix tests 'ultra high definition' 4K video streams
The Netflix 4K test video shows a market and people
shopping. Their test videos often feature everyday subjects
Netflix, the TV and film streaming service, has started
testing "ultra high definition" video.
Also known as 4K the technology offers four times the
amount of detail as 1080p high-definition content.
Netflix said it plans to offer the first titles in 4K to
customers next year.
But some analysts question whether broadband speeds in
the UK are fast enough to cope with ultra high definition streaming.
"Average broadband speeds in the UK are 7.6 megabits
per second, you would need to have at least double that speed to watch 4K
reliably on a streamed basis," says IHS broadband analyst, Richard
Broughton.
"Currently only 15% to 20% of households have the
speeds necessary."
Despite wide availability of broadband networks in the
UK's towns and cities, only 4.8 million customers are taking advantage of
"superfast" speeds, defined by Ofcom watchdog as 30Mbps or above.
Craig Nelson, spokesman for the Internet Service
Providers' Association, told the BBC: "We think streaming of 4K TV
services will require minimum broadband speeds of about 100Mbps to work
properly, but only businesses and production houses current have that kind of
speed.
"A lot will depend on the compression technologies,
or codecs, service providers use.
"The real hindrance won't be broadband speeds but
the availability of screens."
Only a few manufacturers currently make 4K TVs and, as with
all cutting-edge technologies, they are expensive. For example, Panasonic's
65in LED 4K TV costs £5,500, while Sony's equivalent costs £5,000.
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