MIPTV Showcases Television's Next Revolution: 4K Ultra-HDTV And Beyond

PARIS, April 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its 50^th anniversary theme of Screening the Future, MIPTV has partnered with Sony Corporation to present what will be the next game-changing innovation in television's evolution, ultra-high-definition. Organised by Reed MIDEM, MIPTV will take place in Cannes, 8-11 April 2013.

A top-level line-up of conferences and technical presentations will demonstrate to producers of today that 4K is the broadcast standard of tomorrow – and that they need to plan for it now.

With HDTV now an established transmission standard, broadcasting industry experts predict that viewers will soon be enjoying even more spectacular TV images, with the advent of Ultra-HDTV using the 4K standard (3840 x 2160 pixels). This offers a four-fold increase in resolution over current HD, and is already being tested with wider consumer adoption forecast for 2015-2016.

Programme-makers and broadcasters need to be ready for these changes, which is why MIPTV has decided to bring the spotlight on this new technology.

On Monday April 8, from 17.00pm - 17.40pm the MIPCube producers' hub will be the venue for a 40-minute taster on 4K, providing a snapshot of what this technology has to offer.

The main event will be the Ultra-HDTV Super Session on the morning of Wednesday 10 April in Auditorium A, during which MIPTV delegates can get the latest forecasts, view the latest 4K content, and hear experts explaining why they are already shooting in 4K or planning for Ultra-HDTV.

Among heavyweight speakers are Mike Gunton, head of the BBC's world-famous Natural History Unit, who will deliver a keynote on the 4K production of the corporation's latest factual shows, and how it is planning to extend 4K-image capture as a way of future-proofing its output. His presentation will include footage from the BBC's latest 4K wildlife production, "Survival," screened with a Sony 4K Digital Cinema Projector SRX-R515p.

Also keynoting will be Gary Davey, E-VP, programming at Sky Deutschland, the man in charge of the entire entertainment offer including all premium movie channels and the Sky Welt package. Sky Deutschland has already carried out 4K tests.

Addressing the new technology from the point of view of a satellite carrier will be Norbert Hoelzle, CCO, SES Astra Luxembourg, Europe's largest satellite operator, who will present 4K footage sent via satellite to a cinema screen. Tom Morrod, Research Director at London-based IHS Electronics & Media, will unveil the latest research from HIS-Screen Digest on 4K/Ultra-HD and how its impact will be felt by every link in the broadcasting value chain.

A panel discussion will feature technologists sharing their hands-on experience of 4K. Participants include Berti Kropac, Managing Director of Germany's Kropac Media, which has carried out the 4K tests for Sky Deutschland, and has shot commercials for Audi and others using the technology.

Other panelists include Barry Bassett, Managing Director of VMI, which rents high-end digital cameras and trains operators in the latest equipment including Sony's latest PMW-F55 4K Ultra-HDTV camera; David Wood, Deputy Director, Technology & Development, for the European Broadcasting Union; Maryline Clare-Charrier, Orange Labs, France, and Project Leader of the 4EVER consortium (Enhanced Video ExpeRience), the French initiative to support the production and delivery of Ultra-HDTV; and Jerome Vieron, CEO, ATEME, France, one of the world's leaders in video compression, in particular the newly standardised High-Efficiency Video Encoding (HEVC) needed for next-generation TV.

The Super Session will be interspersed with screenings of test footage shot in Ultra-HD from Europe and the US, allowing producers to get up-close and personal with the pictures.

A Meet the Speakers networking session at MIPTV's Producers' Hub will give delegates the chance to have one-to-one conversations with the expert panelists.

Throughout the MIPTV market, SONY will be staging a continuous display of 4K material in prominent positions within the Palais des Festival, and will also be demonstrating its new giant 84-inch 4K Bravia television.

"The 4K format is more than just the next step along the road in terms of improved image quality. It offers spectacular detail that opens the possibility for a whole new way of shooting; such is the richness of the image quality. MIPTV aims to make producers aware that 4K is here, and it's now, and that they have to plan for it," said Laurine Garaude, Director of Reed MIDEM's Television Division.

For more information about MIPTV, please download the MIPTV Highlights.

About MIPTV – Founded in 1963, MIPTV is the annual international market and creative forum for content on every screen. It brings professionals from the global TV and online content industry to Cannes, France, for four days of exhibition, conferences, screenings and networking. It is a key market for buying and selling content and early-stage content development. MIPCube constitutes a special programme exploring tech and creative approaches with the community re-inventing the content experience within MIPTV. The weekend prior to MIPTV, MIPDoc and MIPFormats constitute a two-day showcase for non-fiction and unscripted programming. In 2013, MIPTV celebrates its 50^th anniversary. www.miptv.com

SOURCE Reed MIDEM