Manufacturers take positions on 4K with HDR

Manufacturers debate at the 4K-UHD Summit about the coexistence of up to four HDR standards, which makes the development of studio capture or production equipment compatible with all types of high dynamic range extremely difficult.

Peter Sykes (Sony), Klaus Weber (Grass Valley), David Smith (Rohde & Schwarz), Jaume Miró (Panasonic) and Miguel A. Ruiz (Samsung) have participated in a round table in the 4K-UHD Summit from Seville to exchange impressions about their position regarding HDR in 4K environments.

Manufacturers have highlighted the importance of capturing as the beginning of the entire chain in 4K HDR. On the other hand, they have recognized that although just three years ago producing UHD live was a titanic task, today we have easy-to-implement solutions that have managed to match the usability and flexibility of 4K to HD.

David Smith has drawn attention to the different output standards in HDR and the difficulties this represents. "In SDR there were few sources and formats, while in HDR we currently have too many options. Given this, we have to be very open to the possibilities of color space and volume conversion," he noted.

Manufacturers have reflected on the coexistence of up to four HDR standards, which makes the development of studio capture or production equipment compatible with all types of high dynamic range extremely difficult. The point is not to make a new firmware every time a standard is advanced, they have defended, but to take a clear direction that allows progress towards 4K with the best possible image quality. “It is important not to complicate the lives of users,” they stressed.

For his part, Jaume Miró has highlighted Panasonic's new line of 4K studio cameras that make Ultra High Definition something comfortable. With respect to costs, Miró has recognized that the objective is for the costs of 4K to be similar to those of HD, as was already the case between SD and HD.

Peter Sykes considers that from the point of view of the production teams they should be agnostic regarding how the material is finally delivered.

Miró recalled that beyond HDR we must consider other technologies that are simultaneously emerging such as video over IP, direct streaming from the camera itself or the new OTT and VOD services. “Without a doubt, these are big changes for us that are happening very quickly and simultaneously on different levels,” he noted.

Miguel A. Ruiz has commented that "Samsung's roadmap is for all its screens to be HDR as they are introduced into the market. At this moment, 20% of television sales in Spain already incorporate HDR. It is a technology that is already ready in the homes of consumers. The end of the chain is ready... now it is producers and manufacturers who have the say."

Peter Sykes considers that from the point of view of the production teams they should be agnostic regarding how the material is finally delivered.