TVs of the Future: Get Set for 4K then 8K Resolution!

For this instalment of our adventures in Japan, we've headed over to the Panasonic plasma TV factory.

In today's question and answer session we got on to the topic of 4K x 2K TVs, or TVs with a screen resolution four times greater than Full HD at around 4000 x 2000 pixels.

Panasonic had a very clear answer on that subject: 'yes, we have the technology to make commercial 4K screen panels. How big, from what diagonal display size, we can't yet say, nor can we give a launch date. The technology is ready—just—but it's not the right time for it yet. You also have to remember that it'll be first of all launched in Japan with the support of local TV broadcasters.'

Panasonic is therefore clearly aiming to launch 4K TVs when there's content available for them, in other words, when TV programmes are recorded and broadcast in 4K resolution.

The brand's representatives then added an important and slightly contradictory point straight afterwards:

'However, this 4K x 2K resolution will just be one phase,' they said, clearly referring to the generation that'll come after 4K x 2K TVs ... wait for it ... 8K x 4K TVs! Will Panasonic wait until TV stations start broadcasting in 8K to roll out this resolution too, or will they make do with upscaled 4K?

> Behind the Scenes with Panasonic in Japan: See all news

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