4K TVs with HDR outshine movie theaters
What's behind the shift?
Heads up!
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Well, this is different.
When it comes to the latest picture technology, TVs usually trail behind movie theaters. For example, 4K projectors have been common in theaters for years, while 4K TVs are still fairly new.
But the HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology present in those 4K TVs has flipped that script. Filmmakers now find themselves in the position of having to limit what they put into a film because movie theaters can't show the full range of what the latest cameras can capture. However, 4K TVs with HDR can — and the Blu-ray or streamed version of that same movie can be created from the un-watered-down original file, so that viewers at home see brighter highlights and colors with more pop, as the director intended.
This situation poses some interesting dilemmas for content companies like 20th Century Fox, which is a major player in film and TV production, as well as in the home video business (Blu-rays, etc.). Hanno Basse, Chief Technology Officer at Fox Filmed Entertainment, and chairman of the Ultra HD Alliance, discusses these topics in detail in this Q&A report at HD Guru.
How long will this last? It's not clear. After all, it's easier and cheaper for you or I to replace a TV (I just checked, and at the moment Crutchfield has 60+ HDR TVs, some with prices as low as $800), than for a movie theater to upgrade its projectors — at several hundred thousand dollars a pop! Also, keep in mind that the amount of 4K content with HDR that you can watch on TV is still limited, but growing.
by Crutchfield's Steve Kindig
Meet Steve Kindig
I'm a longtime audio/video geek. I love learning about and sharing info on the latest A/V tech.
I've been writing about audio/video gear for Crutchfield since 1985. These days, I spend most of my time covering TVs. But I've been an audiophile since high school, and I still often listen to music late into the night. So, whenever I get the chance, I love writing about high-end amps, preamps, and speakers, too.
Over the years, I've found other ways to help people connect with music. I'm a volunteer DJ at community radio station WTJU, where I'm a regular host of the American folk show "Atlantic Weekly," as well as the world music program "Beyond Borders," where I get to share my love of African music.
I'm also a board member of the Prism Coffeehouse, in Charlottesville. We produce a series of concerts featuring traditional and acoustic music. I help out at shows with ticket sales, merch sales for the artists, or anything else that needs doing, and in exchange, I get to hear live music almost every week.
I grew up on a farm in the high desert of Southern California, but have lived in the Charlottesville area over half my life. I love the town and the beautiful surrounding countryside. When the weather's nice, you'll often find me out hiking with my four-legged buddy, Finn the corgi, or biking, or kayaking.
About Steve
More from Steve Kindig
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