DIRECTV plans to offer 4K TV programming via Video on Demand later this year - Blu-ray Forum

HDTV1080P · 08-01-2014, 03:53 PM

Before over the air ATSC 3.0 broadcasts with native 4K QUAD HD support becomes a reality, Direct TV might under ideal conditions offer native 4K QUAD HD video on demand programming this year over satellite and by late 2015 or early 2016 live 4K streaming. The plan is to roll out a new Direct TV satellite receiver that supports full 4K QUAD HD resolution by streaming and satellite. The new 4K QUAD HD satellite receivers will be able to offer 4K QUAD HD programming by downloading to the HD DVR, streaming, and in the next 18 months or so Direct TV plans on launching two more satellites to increase its bandwidth.

In several years from now one might see Verizon FIOS and other cable companies offer 4K QUAD HD programming also. Around 2016+ a 4K QUAD HD optical disc format might also launch for the consumer market.

It is believed that HEVC (High Efficiency Video Codec) will be used in the future by the cable companies and satellite companies to double their virtual bandwidth since HEVC offers double the virtual bandwidth when compared to the MPEG-4 codec (New consumer digital cable boxes and satellite receivers are needed). HEVC allows double the space for existing MPEG-4 HD channels and more room for 4K QUAD HD channels. The new 4K QUAD HD optical format will also most likely use HEVC. Some existing TV seasons on Blu-ray use four or five 50GB Blu-ray discs. With a new optical disc format that uses HEVC and with a 100GB size disc, it would be possible to place entire season on one complete disc at the existing 1080P quality if 4K source material did not exist for certain TV series. Having entire TV season on one disc would be ideal since none of the menu options would say insert disc number 2, 3, 4, etc. For some TV series that has native 4K source material, multiply 200GB discs would be used to maintain a high bit rate HEVC quality at 3840 x 2160 resolution.

The following are a few select quotses from the article

“DIRECTV plans to offer 4K TV programming via Video on Demand later this year."

"White told the analysts that the company will provide VOD programming in the new 4K TV format later this year and will likely offer live 4K content via streaming late in 2015 or early 2016. “

"The company is launching two new satellites over the next 18 months to expand its capacity to offer more services, including more HD channels and 4K.”
http://www.tvpredictions.com/directv080114.htm

08-01-2014, 03:53 PM	#1
HDTV1080P Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Jan 2007 Blu-ray reviews: 205	DIRECTV plans to offer 4K TV programming via Video on Demand later this year Before over the air ATSC 3.0 broadcasts with native 4K QUAD HD support becomes a reality, Direct TV might under ideal conditions offer native 4K QUAD HD video on demand programming this year over satellite and by late 2015 or early 2016 live 4K streaming. The plan is to roll out a new Direct TV satellite receiver that supports full 4K QUAD HD resolution by streaming and satellite. The new 4K QUAD HD satellite receivers will be able to offer 4K QUAD HD programming by downloading to the HD DVR, streaming, and in the next 18 months or so Direct TV plans on launching two more satellites to increase its bandwidth. In several years from now one might see Verizon FIOS and other cable companies offer 4K QUAD HD programming also. Around 2016+ a 4K QUAD HD optical disc format might also launch for the consumer market. It is believed that HEVC (High Efficiency Video Codec) will be used in the future by the cable companies and satellite companies to double their virtual bandwidth since HEVC offers double the virtual bandwidth when compared to the MPEG-4 codec (New consumer digital cable boxes and satellite receivers are needed). HEVC allows double the space for existing MPEG-4 HD channels and more room for 4K QUAD HD channels. The new 4K QUAD HD optical format will also most likely use HEVC. Some existing TV seasons on Blu-ray use four or five 50GB Blu-ray discs. With a new optical disc format that uses HEVC and with a 100GB size disc, it would be possible to place entire season on one complete disc at the existing 1080P quality if 4K source material did not exist for certain TV series. Having entire TV season on one disc would be ideal since none of the menu options would say insert disc number 2, 3, 4, etc. For some TV series that has native 4K source material, multiply 200GB discs would be used to maintain a high bit rate HEVC quality at 3840 x 2160 resolution. The following are a few select quotses from the article “DIRECTV plans to offer 4K TV programming via Video on Demand later this year." "White told the analysts that the company will provide VOD programming in the new 4K TV format later this year and will likely offer live 4K content via streaming late in 2015 or early 2016. “ "The company is launching two new satellites over the next 18 months to expand its capacity to offer more services, including more HD channels and 4K.” http://www.tvpredictions.com/directv080114.htm Last edited by HDTV1080P; 08-01-2014 at 04:02 PM.

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