WELCOME & CONTENTS EDITOR’S COMMENT A 4K in the road
4K IS clearly the next big thing in the world of video. It has a lot of things going for it: it looks good, it’s a readily understood concept, and – unlike, say, 3D – it’s suitable for any kind of content in any viewing environment. Of course, there are a number of obstacles to be overcome before it
becomes a mainstream technology. An image four times the size of HD requires about four times the processing power at all parts of the production and dissemination chain, and the finished content needs roughly four times the storage capacity. As was apparent at last month’s IBC, there are still gaps in the tech ecosystem, although these are being filled all the time. While broadcast TV should – eventually – become the biggest market for 4K, this will surely not be for several years: SD is still doing fine, thank you very much, despite the proliferation of HD TV channels. Doubtless 4K will be a premium product for special events to begin with, such as the FIFA World Cup final. And there’s even beginning to be talk of 8K… And, of course, 4K will require larger displays to be viewed to its full
‘The more
immediate market for 4K is away from traditional broadcast’
effect. Pixel densities are increasing all the time, but it seems likely that 4K TVs will be larger than HD TVs are today – so that many homes will struggle to accommodate them comfortably. They may also require special lifting equipment for transportation and installation, which will keep prices high. While this will slow the erosion of margins, it will surely also delay consumer uptake. No, the more immediate opportunity for 4K is away from traditional
broadcast. It’s with the kinds of enterprises that record and distribute their own content on a much more targeted basis – and, crucially, also control the displays on which the content is viewed. So I’m thinking about live events, digital signage, visitor attractions, retail showrooms and so on. Here you’re typically working on a much larger scale than a domestic living room, so larger-scale content and displays make much more sense.
I WAS intrigued last month to see, at Midwich’s Technology Exposed show, the new Samsung 55in HD OLED TV. It has a bright, colourful and clear picture, and is slightly curved, supposedly to improve viewer immersion. A very clever feature is its ability to use 3D-like processing to send completely different channels to two pairs of active glasses – so two people can watch different programmes at the same time, full screen, on the same TV. (Audio is delivered via earbuds in the glasses.) This is a really cool feature, but I can’t help wondering if there will prove to be much demand for it. OK, it solves arguments about who’s going to watch what, but it takes away the shared experience of TV viewing – to the point where one viewer’s reactions could prove highly annoying to the other. Also if you’re paying this kind of money (around £7,000), it’s highly unlikely to be the only TV set in your home anyway. Still, time will tell. And kudos to Samsung for trying something new – which is only one feature of a groundbreaking piece of technology.
Paddy Baker, Editor, Installation –
paddy.baker@
intentmedia.co.uk
NEWS & DATA 4 News 10 Appointments 12 Expos and events 14 Pro Sound Awards: Winners revealed 16 Installation Showcase: Entertainment: Panellists named
16 Industry data: New markets offer promise for IWBs and flatpanels
PEOPLE 22 Interview: avsnet’s Graham Fry on refocusing the business
SHOW REVIEW IBC p26
FEATURES 28 Digital signage: We offer guidance on the seemingly endless choices of system types
34 Clubs, bars, restaurants: Audio quality improves as expectations grow but issues remain
42 Oil & gas: The energy sector is investing in sophisticated AV
50 Regional voices: Netherlands
SHOW PREVIEWS PLASA London p52 InfoComm Middle East and Africa p56
TECHNOLOGY 60 New products 66 Showcase: Interactive whiteboard technology
SOLUTIONS 68 Aosta Regional Theatre, Aosta: A multi-million euro refurbishment
72 Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino Hotel: Audio upgrade
76 Mall of the Emirates, Dubai: Huge new videowall
Cover image SNAM Rete Gas dispatch centre, courtesy of eyevis
www.installation-international.com
October 2013 3
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