Skip to main content

Japan planning world’s first 4K/Ultra HD live broadcast for the 2014 World Cup

Global events like the World Cup have long been a proving ground for cutting-edge technologies. Last time around, we saw the beautiful game in 3-D. But according to Reuters, World Cup 2014, will be broadcast in 4K/Ultra HD.

Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications says it will deliver the cup in the nascent format by using free capacity on its communications satellites, favoring this method over the use of standard broadcast satellites. Apparently, the bandwidth needed is still too much for the latter to handle.

This is big news. The world’s biggest sporting event, delivered via the next generation of TV tech? Sign us up. Despite the fact that the 4K/Ultra HD adoption rate is probably south of .00000001 percent, it’s nice to see to see the technology slouching towards Brazil to be born.

Here’s hoping that by the time the tournament kicks off, 4K/Ultra HD TV prices will have fallen enough for football (or, soccer, if you must) lovers to take advantage of this news en masse – but that’s about as likely as the ol’ US of A besting the field to become champions.

Though waiting for 4K/Ultra HD feels a bit like calender-watching around Christmas time, it is further along the pipeline than anticipated. Fingers crossed that this first broadcast goes off as planned because, if it does,  it will only open up the floodgates. Word is the BBC is already planning its first 4K/Ultra HD broadcast, though it may be slightly less compelling to your average sports nut. It has pegged a wildlife program for its initial broadcast, which reportedly stars Meerkats.

Editors' Recommendations

Adam Poltrack
Adam is an A/V News Writer for Digital Trends, and is responsible for bringing you the latest advances in A/V…
Best Samsung TV deals: Save on 4K TVs, QLED TVs, OLED TVs, 8K TVs
A person watching a Samsung TV.

If you’re looking to upgrade your home theater, a good place to start your shopping is with one of the best TV brands. Samsung falls into the category, as the electronics company is super popular and makes some of the best TVs of the year. Samsung is also a good TV brand to shop if you’re in the market for some TV deals, as many of its top models often see a discount. You can currently find a good number of both 4K and 8K Samsung TVs with their prices marked down, and we’ve taken the liberty of rounding up all of the best Samsung TV deals. Reading onward you’ll find more details on how to save by putting a Samsung TV at the center of your viewing experience, as well as some information on which particular Samsung TV may have the features that are right for you.
65-inch QN85C Samsung Neo QLED 4K Smart TV — $1,300, was $2,000

We find the QN85C to be sitting at just about the perfect price for a TV right now, while still maintaining the qualities and freshness of a much more quality TV. While it is 4K, it uses mini-LED tech, which allows for fine-tuned light control. Remember that the best QLED TVs are typically renowned more for their brightness than contrast; this tech can tip that need for contrast in the QN85C's favor. Other great features of this TV include audio with Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound, 4K upscaling, and motion acceleration to keep fast moving content smooth.

Read more
This Samsung 65-inch 4K TV is 33% off at Walmart right now
The Samsung 75-inch LED 4K Smart TV on a media cabinet.

It's time to upgrade your home theater setup with this offer from Walmart -- the 65-inch Samsung CU7000B 4K TV, which has a relatively affordable original price of $600, is currently even cheaper at just $398 following a $202 discount. This is one of the most attractive TV deals in the market right now, so it's going to draw a lot of attention from other shoppers. Before they snap up all the stocks, you need to complete your purchase if you don't want to lose your chance at the savings.

Why you should buy the 65-inch Samsung CU7000B 4K TV
First and foremost, you need to check our guide on what size TV to buy to make sure that you have enough space in your living room for a 65-inch screen. If you do, then the Samsung CU7000B 4K TV is an excellent choice. With 4K Ultra HD resolution and Samsung's Crystal Processor that upscales all content to 4K quality, you'll be watching your favorite shows and movies with lifelike details and vibrant colors. You'll also never run out of things to watch, because similar to the best TVs, the Samsung CU7000B 4K TV is a smart TV with access to the most popular streaming services.

Read more
Best 65-inch TV deals: Get a 65-inch 4K TV for under $400
A Vizio 65 inch TV hangs on a living room wall.

There are a lot of TV options out there, with each of the best TV brands making a number of different models utilizing different technologies and smart features. Sizing is another thing you need to consider when shopping. A 65-inch TV is a good combination of size and pricing, with some of the best TV deals often including 65-inch TVs. Retailers aren’t holding back on 65-inch TV deals right now, with models by TCL, LG, Samsung, and Sony seeing discounts, among others. We’ve rounded up what we feel are the best 65-inch TV deals currently taking place, so read onward for more details on how to save.
Hisense 65-inch A6 Series LED 4K TV — $378, was $430

Despite its low price, this TV sacrifices nothing in terms of picture quality. I brings the modern clarity of 4K resolution to your living room. It’s even able to upscale older content into Ultra-HD resolution. The Hisense A6 4K TV is a good option for gamers and people who like to take in the fast-paced action of sports and action movies. It has a 60Hz refresh rate at 4K resolution, which makes sure the TV can handle the rigors of next generation gaming consoles and intense, fast-paced scenes. This keeps the image from tearing, lagging, or breaking apart, even during the fastest moving action sequences.

Read more