Next-generation ultra high-definition (HD) broadcasting has become a reality for the first time. U-max, an ultra HD cable TV channel, recently went on the air and started broadcasting four hours of ultra HD programming five times per day, including documentaries, cartoons and live concerts. The ultra HD format offers images that are four times clearer and sharper than current HD formats and boast a maximum of 22.2 channels of quality sound.



"We started broadcasting in ultra HD for the first time worldwide, after a test run last July," said Minister of Science, ICT & Future Planning Choi Mun-Kee at a ceremony at the International Convention Center Jeju on Jeju Island on April 10 to mark the beginning of ultra HD broadcasts. "This will affect related areas, including electronics and equipment makers, as well as the content industry."

U-max intends to secure 200 hours of ultra HD programs this year and invest KRW 40 billion into obtaining more ultra HD content by 2016. It will also consider broadcasting major sporting events this year, such as the FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the Asian Games in Incheon, in ultra HD. The cable TV industry also plans to lay out an additional KRW 650 billion to build related infrastructure by 2017.

For now, the cable industry intends to provide ultra HD (UHD) broadcasts and video-on-demand (VOD) services in a format that does not require set-top boxes, but it will start supplying set-top boxes to viewers in the latter half of this year. Viewers with UHD TVs equipped with built-in set-top boxes will be able to watch UHD TV programs.



By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
jun2@korea.kr