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Sony has just revealed their new 4K TVs
Sony opened its doors recently to give us a glimpse of what products are to come in 2018.
And, once again, TVs are top of its agenda.
The Japanese technology firm is launching a swathe of new sets this year which are aimed at suiting all homes and budgets.
Perhaps the most impressive of the bunch is the new AF8 series which offers supreme picture quality in a telly that’s ultra-thin and packed with features.
Using the latest 4K HDR OLED technology and an X1 Extreme processor, this new TV will offer one of the best viewing experiences on the market.
It’s even got a clever Acoustic Surface which allows sound to magically punch through the display.
The AF8 series launches later this year but having had an exclusive look at Sony’s latest offering it’s once again highlighted a major problem with these latest and greatest televisions.
To get the ultimate 4K experience you need to view content that’s been filmed and broadcast in this pin-sharp format – and that’s the issue.
Although more shows and programmes are slowly arriving, the content that’s available is falling well behind the technology you can view it on.
Sky, BT, Netflix and Amazon are all investing heavily in 4K with sports, original shows and some movies available to view in this rich format.
This is clearly good news, but don’t forget, all of these services come at a premium which can make it pretty expensive to watch in 4K.
For example Netflix charges an extra £4 per month for access to 4K whilst Sky users need to opt for the more expensive Sky 2TB package before they can settle down to an afternoon of pin-sharp football.
Price is one problem for 4K but then there’s the issue of streaming this type of content as you’ll need a broadband speed of around 15-25 Mbps – that’s compared to around 6Mbps for standard HD.
Many homes across the UK are still struggling with dire connections meaning they are likely to face infuriating buffering when try to binge on a 4K boxset.
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Sony’s new AF8 features some of the latest 4K OLED technology
Premium services such as Sky and Netflix will clearly continue to push more 4K content in the coming months but what about standard free TV?
Currently none of the main stations including the BBC, ITV or Channel 4 broadcast in 4K and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
Blue Planet 2 was available in Ultra HD but only via catch-up online which, once again, takes us back to the broadband issue.
So here’s our problem with 4K.
Whilst technology companies continue to push the boundaries with their latest and greatest TVs the broadcasters and internet companies need to do some serious work to keep up.
Sony says that although many shows aren’t beamed to homes in 4K their new televisions are able to upscale, with AF8 series using the latest technology to improve the way HD content appears on the screen.
This means you can get near 4K quality from non Ultra HD content.
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That will certainly make this latest TV more desirable but, it’s still hugely frustrating that programming is limited and the industry seems well aware of the problems
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk Mike Fidler, UHD Alliance chairman, told us: “We’re getting most of the current content through UHD Blu-ray which is still delivering a premium experience and, obviously, through the expanded level of streaming from services such as Amazon and Netflix.
“They continue to expand their 4K products that they are delivering to market
“On the other hand, on the broadcast side, it’s still pretty minimal.
“For the most part they are restricted to marquee events such as the Winter Olympics.
“There’s not a lot of conventional programme that’s out there on the networks, but they are looking to expand and there’s some announcements to be made with content providers, but it’s a little bit behind.”
“There’s more constraints on the broadcast side with the build up of the infrastructure as well as the cost of implementing those changes.
“It’s moving, but not as quickly as we’d all like”
Although 4K content is currently sparse there could be some better news on the horizon as TV companies could beginning upgrading their content.
When asked when terrestrial TV will begin getting more 4K programming Mr Fidler replied: “I think 4K will be coming sooner.
“This is just speculation but obviously if you go out today and look to buy a new TV it’s hard to buy anything but 4K.
“That’s the way the market has shifted and obviously that appetite for consumers is growing.
“The reality of streaming from competitors kind of challenges the retention and loyalty of customers that are on more conventional distribution whether it’s on cable or satellite.
“I think in the future you will see parallel growth.”