Even though the HDTV pig is only swallowed to the neck by the great snake that is the consumer electronics market, manufacturers are already looking for the Next Best Thing in TV. The reasons for wanting to go beyond range from pure competetive pressure to providing price-point support at the high end with new technologies to grace the flagship models. Here’s a very good overview of what’s next.

At last year’s CES we saw 1080p resolution displays all over the place, and now they’ve become somewhat commonplace. Of course, we expect tremendous numbers of 1080p TVs at CES 2007, and their prices will fall as they inexorably replace other resolutions, especially among flat-panel LCDs and big-screen rear-projection sets.

But what comes next? We think it’s a bit early to see many higher-than-1080p resolution displays. Instead of resolution, we expect manufacturers to focus on improving other aspects of television performance…

We’ve covered several aspects of what’s beyond HDTV here at DU in posts like this one on ultrawideband, this one on Ultra HD, this one on Laser HDTV, and this one on SED TV.



  1. Jägermeister says:

    3D TV / holographic TV

  2. Jägermeister says:

    or Smell TV… nothing’s like the fresh smell of Pat Robertson’s armpits when he’s all worked up on some issue.

  3. Eideard says:

    I expect the next advances in my own home theatre setup to come from both CES and MacWorld.

    Hopefully, DirecTV will announce full support for a couple HD tweaks for their new HR20-700 receiver that some of us have been Beta-testing for a spell, e.g., the E-SATA port which allows external storage and the Ethernet port which is “officially” aimed at Intel’s VIIV; but, allows a whole range of networking.

    MacWorld should introduce the consumer version of Apple’s convergence device — code-named iTV — which will bring your HDTV into the wireless home network using 80211.n. Even though they’ll have to kiss entertainment mogul butt with some sort of HDCP, the system should include component hookups — which usually allows an analog workaround from DRM crappola.

    Then, we can watch Cranky Geeks on the living room big screen. Hopefully, someone will nudge the ZD honchos up into 16×9 and, eventually, HD resolution. Just imagine John in Hi-Def!

  4. Mike says:

    I must be the only person who is unimpressed with the picture quality of the current, compression artifact laden, generation of cable and satellite HD service.

  5. Jägermeister says:

    #3 So, what’s next is to get it on the consumer market.

  6. moss says:

    There are significant differences in the “why” of what you describe, Mike. Satellite systems are burdened with regs from the FCC and Congress which require carrying so-called local TV stations before they can utilize their bandwidth for content.

    Cable systems haven’t the same proviso. They have no excuse.

    As DirecTV and DISH get their new birds up, this year, they have the opportunity to bring their HD-casts up to snuff. Though, until bandwidth meets or exceeds available product, we don’t get to see the final product.

    Incidentally, the OTA alternative isn’t always available. There are plenty of sleazy local channels who sublet their bandwidth and offer up the same range of hindrances as their competitors. The marketplace doesn’t get to sort any of this out until and unless real competition is allowed.

  7. moss says:

    #8 to #5 — half the glass is empty types never are alone. They have no responsibility to try to change anything.

    I can compare the same program [Desert Speaks] telecast HD OTA locally and on Discovery HD via D* to exactly the same standard. That doesn’t ignore the crippled HD-casts for channels other than the two HDNet channels and Discovery; but, as I mentioned above — those are political results not premised on technical limitations.

    Do you choose never to watch any of those channels? Your sweeping generalities make it appear so.

  8. ECA says:

    I waiting…
    Just waiting…
    I REALLY want to see HOW all the items are going to hook up…
    Add these and see how many ports you require..
    Game consoles.
    VHS, Still out there and RECORDABLE.
    DVR
    TIVO
    DVD
    BR/HD players
    wireless computer video and audio.

    Also 2 speaker dont make GREAT sound, so ADD audio funtions to ALL of this to a decent stereo..

    Even these basic are going to take a GOOD switching box. And that may be a problem with Up/down switching display modes.

  9. Tom says:

    Simply put, it will be decades at least before there is any resoluton higher than 1080I for commercial broadcast and 1080P for DVD. The technical, regulatory, and standards considerations insure that. Anything beyond that (like 4K that is presently in use for digital cinema) will be relegated to niche markets.

    Tom

  10. Mr. Fusion says:

    HD TV is still the same as having a Porsche. Yes it sure is pretty to watch. And it sure is fun to drive. But the content is still garbage and the speed limit is still half of what the Porsche can go.

    I just can’t get excited at watching “Dirty Jobs” on the Discovery Channel in High Definition and in surround sound.

  11. Angel H. Wong says:

    What’s next?

    UHDRM 😛

  12. ECA says:

    14,
    NOPE…
    BIGGEr computer monitors…with even MORE bits per inch.

  13. ECA says:

    Computer monitors have been able to do sizes that MOSt have never seen…
    MIGHT as well start using them as TV’s

  14. tkane says:

    Next big thing? Simple but we’ll not see it in a reasonable period of time: 1) fiber to the premises in all 50 states, 2) programming that can reasonably use HD.

    Why bother with higher resolution when there’s nothing to send and too few ways to send it there?


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