While 8k video may be the latest game-changing technology, it is certainly not the first nor will it be the last
Technology is driven by the consumer in 2015, unlike 30 years ago when the PC, the portable computer, and the cellular telephone were new products.
Why is this important?
It is important because, in 2015, consumers no longer await corporations to deliver technology from above in the traditional sense.
The most recent example is 8K video.
8K video arrived in the public forum in 2012, presented as the next leap in resolution over HD. The resolution is far better, as one would expect considering that 8K’s uncompressed bandwidth is 17 times that of uncompressed HD. Even so, corporate experts were predicting we would see it widely implemented in 2022 at the earliest.
Perhaps you know, but in case you didn’t, the 2012 London Olympics had a few special events filmed in 8K and broadcast by live feed to selected areas around the world (Times Square here in the U.S.) At that time, Japan was declaring they would start broadcasting 8K by 2020, and they were leading the world with the prediction.
As it was with HD before, the early adopters embraced the technology. And early adopters are an excellent market for the companies delivering the newest technology.
Companies with equipment or services related to video responded by delivering products. Apple introduced 5K computers, and multiple companies introduced 6K and higher capacity cameras. YouTube began offering video playback in 8K in July 2015. With 8K video now on-line, and well-known companies releasing 5K, 6K, or even 8K products, it is no longer just the early adopters who are beginning to expect 8K availability to become a reality in the near future.
As you read this article, Japan has adjusted its forecasted broadcast date from 2020 to 2018. And they are currently scheduled to broadcast in 8K for the 2020 Olympics. That is game-changing technology advancement.
So what’s the point?
We have been discussing pending 8K video with our clients for several years. For the majority of you, steps are underway to assure that your facilities are ready for these changing demands.
We are proud to be leaders in our field of commercial technology consulting & design. Reading about the latest and greatest is not enough when you are charged with designing technology years before the doors are scheduled to open. Also true is that it takes expert knowledge to recognize technology hype versus real change as it relates to cabling infrastructure or technology systems (or both). And at NTI, we are diligent students of our industry.
Before we were discussing 8K with our clients, we were informing them in 2011 about the Sunset laws and digital encryption changes. Today, everyone needs to adhere to the encryption dictated by the Sunset laws, but NTI was consulting with our clients a year or more before it became law. Our clients were prepared for it before the law was passed.
My specialty is audio visual technologies, but our company has been providing expertise with regard to game-changing technologies since we were founded.
For example, throughout the various iterations of copper station cabling (POTS cable through CAT 6A, and beyond), NTI has been advising our clients and helping them stay in front of the technology curve. By doing so, whether for the then-new Cat 5e cable (versus the Cat 3), or the “next” new Cat 6 cable, we helped our clients extend the lifespan of their cabling infrastructure.
And we were advising our clients to consider cellular enhancement years ago to make certain the cellular coverage was adequate throughout a building or across a campus. Cellular enhancement is now a common consideration for facilities over 150,000 GSF.
Why should you care?
Many of your customers are these same consumers who are driving the technology companies to deliver their products faster. NTI helps you prepare for them as the technology is available. Otherwise, they will be wondering why their 8-year-old can show her tablet on the TV at home, but they cannot do the same thing in their office or in a hotel room.
We are currently designing 10G networks for the demands of 2K and 4K video requirements. Category 6a cable provides 10G worth of bandwidth which is sufficient for 4K video, so the copper solution may be sufficient for many years to come. However, for meeting spaces, in particular, fiber is often a smart consideration as a way to future-proof your facility.