Ultra HDTV (also known as “Super Hi-Vision” or “Ultra HD”), is an experimental video format conceptualized by the Japanese public broadcasting network, NHK.
Unlike standard HDTV, Ultra HDTV is four times as wide and four times as high, producing an astonishing 7,680 × 4,320 pixel resolution. Ultra HDTV is 16 times the pixel resolution of standard HDTV. Some believe that Ultra HD technology raises Ultra HDTV health concerns.
In addition to the significant upgrade in video quality, sound quality is also significantly increased with Ultra HDTV. 24 channels of audio can be used with 24 speakers, producing a difference comparable to the Ultra HD video resolution.
Currently, only 3 cameras are able to capture video in Ultra HDTV format, and can only capture about 20 minutes (requiring 4 terabytes) in a single day. Needless to say, our current infrastructure is not designed to meet the Ultra HDTV requirements.
Several sources suggest that Super Hi-Vision technology will be used in the 2012 Olympics and will be widely available by 2020.
- September 29th, 2010 – NHK and BBC successfully broadcast a Super Hi-Vision signal from England to Japan.
- May 19th, 2011 – Sharp unveils its 85-inch Ultra HDTV prototype.
The following diagram compares Ultra HD resolution to today’s currently available resolutions:

