Sean McCarthy, Ph.D., Fellow, ARRIS
The landscape is shifting in the world of entertainment, content and delivery. The last few years have seen the world’s biggest brands touting their latest and greatest TVs, most of which boast some form of Ultra HD (UHD) capability. But how many people actually know what this technology is. And for those who have already purchased it, why doesn’t their favorite TV show look wildly better?
Within our industry, UHD, 4K, HDR, 8K, etc. are all common, well-known terms, but we recognize that the majority of consumers out there are unfamiliar with the next generation of HD technologies. So, this year, we would like to take a step back and work to set the stage for what new standards for TV are coming very soon (and are already here).
For those early adopters who already own a UHD TV, you might be frustrated that the UHD content currently available is so limited and difficult to stream. Right now, your smart TV uses several third party apps/monthly services to provide this content, but most of us are wondering the same thing – when will my service provider start programming sports and other content in the resolution my TV is able to deliver?
This is where ARRIS can help. ARRIS is working with programmers and content distributors to develop efficient, reliable, high-quality infrastructure to make UHD a reality. Building out this infrastructure enables a UHD “workflow” to evolve that will get UHD pictures to your living room.
The network matters because workflow matters. How will those who create and deliver content be able to provide these experiences at the highest possible quality, in an efficient way, allowing the service to be affordable for everyone? If the workflow is too complicated, it will drive costs up and even hinder quality. ARRIS is ahead of the curve on this front. We have developed several new technologies that simplify these processes, making them more efficient, and enable cable, IPTV, satellite, and OTT providers to deliver better and richer UHD experiences to customers.
Needless to say, the way we see content on our TVs and smart devices is in the midst of a massive transformation. Over the coming months, we will break down these elements to their core truths to give you a clear picture of what’s to come, how you can prepare, when you should upgrade devices, and much more. So, stay tuned and be sure to send us any questions below.
We’ll also be at the NAB show next week in Vegas, so drop by our booth SU7121 to hear more.
