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8K is coming! Do we really need her?
In early September, BOE and Sharp unveiled their latest innovations: 8K LCD technology. This marked the beginning of a new era in the battle for future color TV supremacy. However, the 8K standard is still surrounded by many buzzwords. The core debate is simple: if 4K content is still scarce, how can 8K possibly survive? Many believe that the path to 8K should be gradual, with each step building on the last—just like rice being cooked slowly. This perspective has become mainstream, as people worry about how far 8K can go with such limited content.
So, what do panel manufacturers think about the 8K era?
On August 31, Sharp launched the world’s first consumer-grade 8K TV in Shanghai, Taiwan, Tokyo, and Berlin. The AQUOS LCD-70SX970A model was priced at 68,888 yuan, making it one of the most expensive TVs on the market.
Then, on September 7, 2017, during the International Winter Sports (Beijing) Expo at the National Convention Center, BOE shocked the industry by unveiling a full range of 8K display products, including 27-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch, 98-inch, and 110-inch models.
One is Sharp, the pioneer of LCD technology, and the other is China's largest display panel manufacturer. Both are investing heavily in 8K, showing strong confidence in the technology.
The technical challenges of 8K displays, especially LCDs, are not as daunting as they seem. For example, achieving 2K resolution on a 5.5-inch phone screen is no problem, and scaling up to large TV screens doesn’t automatically mean higher costs.
Industry insiders point out that 8K large-size display panels are technically mature and have high yields. However, current production is still experimental and low-volume, which keeps costs high. The cost difference between 8K and 4K is similar to that between 4K and 2K. In fact, for large-sized displays, higher resolution doesn’t necessarily mean higher costs.
For instance, a 65-inch 4K TV has the same pixel density as a 32-inch 2K TV. When you cut smaller modules from a larger substrate, the technical difficulty remains similar. Similarly, an 80-inch 8K TV is comparable in specs and cost to a 40-inch 4K TV.
Therefore, when combined with the trend toward large-screen TVs, 8K shouldn't be seen as a technical or cost barrier. The real issue lies in downstream applications, particularly content.
Content is the biggest bottleneck for 8K adoption. While 4K products already dominate half the market, real 4K content is still lacking. Why? Because content involves multiple stages, from camera technology to storage and transmission. 4K requires four times the data of 2K, while 8K needs 16 times more. Building an upstream system that can handle this volume is a major challenge.
From the perspective of broadcasters and TV stations, the transition to high-definition and full-HD hasn’t been long. Their existing systems are still in a stable, profitable phase. Introducing 4K or 8K would require significant investment and may face resistance.
Currently, manufacturers are pushing for 8K, but the content industry isn’t seeing enough benefits to justify the upgrades. Many prefer to stick with the existing 2K systems, which are still profitable.
This situation echoes the past, where the broadcasting industry skipped the HD phase after digitalization, moving directly to full-HD. The same could happen with 8K—skipping 4K due to its close proximity to 2K.
Looking ahead, the broadcasting industry plans to first adopt 4K with lower complexity before moving to 8K. Japan’s NHK has been researching 8K since 1995, and it has been used in events like the 2005 Aichi Expo and the 2012 London Olympics. 8K became an international standard in 2012, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were set to broadcast live in 8K, followed by the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
But why skip 4K? Broadcasters want to maintain technological leadership and ensure a longer interval between major upgrades to recover previous investments. This might lead to a direct jump from 2K to 8K.
For the TV industry, 8K is not just about higher resolution—it’s a strategic move. With mobile devices dominating, traditional TVs need to offer unique value. A bigger screen and clearer image can differentiate them. High-resolution video with rich audio and wide color gamut will help TV retain its relevance.
Moreover, 8K could pave the way for future technologies like holographic 3D. Higher resolution is essential for advanced display effects, and 8K may be just a stepping stone.
In terms of pricing, the first consumer-grade 8K TV from Sharp costs 68,888 yuan, which is eight times the price of a regular 70-inch TV. This makes it unaffordable for most consumers.
However, history shows that once prices drop, demand rises. As production scales up, costs will decrease, and 8K could follow the same path as 4K.
The key bottleneck is manufacturing capacity. Current 8.5-generation lines can only produce three 65-inch panels with low efficiency. To make 8K affordable, new production lines like the 10.5-generation ones are needed.
BOE’s Hefei 10.5-line project is expected to start production in 2018, enabling economic production of 65-inch and 75-inch panels. This will kickstart a cycle of scale production, cost reduction, and increased sales.
With more 10.5-generation lines coming online, the 8K TV market is set to grow. By 2020, some consumers may even get to experience 8K during the Tokyo Olympics.
In short, 8K TV is no longer a dream—it’s a reality being built step by step. We just need to wait for the new era to arrive.
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