Hans Hoffman (UER/EBU) defends in Seville the need for standardization for UHDTV

The EBU technology executive explained at the 4K Summit the need to have harmonized standardization throughout the entire value chain from production, mastering and aggregation of content to distribution (at, IP, DTT, cable), reception and presentation on the users' screen.

After the opening by the director of Radiotelevisión de Andalucía (RTVA), Joaquín Durán, the second day of the 4K Summit which is taking place these days in Seville, organized by Medina Media with Panorama Audiovisual as Main Media Partner, has begun with the intervention of the technology director at the EBU-EBU, Hans Hoffman.

Hoffman has reflected on the expectations that viewers have of UHD, stating that the use of large format screens will not only serve to display ultra high images but also to be able to follow several signals simultaneously in multi-screen mode.

"Consumers are already buying 4K televisions more and more widely today, international events that take place in 4K are becoming more numerous every day, and platforms such as BT Sport, Sky, Netflix, Amazon are already developing strategies for UHD. However, public broadcasters urgently need to define their strategies in the face of this great change," he stated.

On the other hand, the focus is on the boost that the broadcast of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 8K with high dynamic range could mean.

The EBU executive has also put on the table the need for harmonized standardization throughout the entire value chain from production, mastering and aggregation of content to distribution (at, IP, DTT, cable), reception and presentation on the users' screen. “Standardization will safeguard the investments made,” he stated.

On the other hand, Hoffman has reviewed the complementary activities that the professional associations Ultra HD Forum, Ultra HD Premium and UHD Alliance are developing. As a starting point for the development of UHDTV, Hoffman considers the ITU-R BT.2020 to be fundamental, which establishes that Ultra High Definition television is the sum of resolution, HDR, HFR and color, coming to the conclusion that it is not just about having more pixels but also better quality.

In his opinion, the high dynamic range (HDR) and high frame rate (HFR), together with a correct evaluation methodology for these parameters, will be able to raise Ultra High Definition to a new level.

Finally, he stressed that “in these new environments, audio is as important as video in this case, object-based multichannel audio will play a relevant role.” Hoffman concluded his speech by emphasizing that, as is usual in all technological changes, “the king is still the content.”