The Confusion Surrounding 4K

Last week, the blog discussed what 4K means to the customer and it caused quite the stir with my CI co-workers.  In an effort to clear things up a little and to add to the controversy of the subject, this post will outline some of the topics discussed in our offices.

Right now, 4K to the CI means confusion. This is because 4K, to most people (consumers), means twice as many pixels horizontally and twice as many pixels vertically to make up the picture on the TV.  4K meant the HD picture quality had to be improved for the consumer wanting bigger and bigger TVs.  Non-4K TVs have a 1080p picture with 1920 pixels horizontally and 1080 pixels vertically.  Since the 4K televisions double both the number of horizontal and vertical pixels, we get: 2 x 1920 = 3840 and 2 x 1080 =2160.  Meaning 3840 x 2160, which equals 4K for the consumer.  This doubling is where the consumer gets the term 4K.  Here is a visual that helps people grasp exactly what that math represents:

However, the term 4K is not interchangeable for both the professional and the consumer version of this technology.  The term “4K” has been pushed on the consumer, but there is a professional 4K, which is totally different. Technically, “4K” is not correct when discussing the professional grade in cinemas and theaters.  The CI using the commercial grade resolution is actually dealing with a picture that is 4096 x 2160 pixels and call this the “real 4K.” This does not sound near as sleek as 4K – I can understand why the marketers wanted to use 4K. It just sounds better, but is confusing the subject.

To distinguish between the two, the Consumer Electronics Association coined the term ULTRA HD, or UHD for short.  For whatever reason, the TV makers stuck with 4K instead. It just sounds better than UHD.  Because it still is confusing to the professional CI to have two terms, things (at least for now) seem to have settled on using the term UHD 4K for consumer TVs.  I guess that is so they can leave room for UHD 8K in the future - which really will make things more confusing.

My question is why couldn’t the /Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) use one term for the consumer (ULTRA HD Anyone) and 4K for the CI?  Like regular gas and premium gas.  I am sure the concept would have caught on and not have confused a soul.

What is 4K?

4K ready cables.  4K televisions.  The term “4K” is being thrown around a lot lately and does anyone really know what it means?  I recently tried to explain the importance of 4K and how it will impact everyone’s life one day over dinner with a group of friends.  I was met with “I just don’t get it” comments.  Undeterred, I went to work and started a conversation on what is the best way to educate the consumer on the importance of 4K.  Other co-workers have had similar conversations with their friends and family members. 

“What is this 4K I keep hearing about? Should I care? Is this something that should be important to me?”

“I understand that it is something to do with TVs, but does that mean I have to replace all my other gear to go with it – a new Blu-ray player, a new AV receiver, new Blu-rays, new set top boxes or even new cables?”

“Will I have to upgrade my subscriptions to services like Netflix?”

These are some of the questions that came up in our office during our discussion of how to educate customers on the importance of 4K.  These questions led me to this blog post and what needs to be addressed first.  Metra Home Theater Group needs to define what 4K is for our customers before anyone will understand why it is important.

THE DEFINITION OF 4K – stands for four times the resolution of a high definition 1080p TV picture to newer TVs.  The picture looks stunning, especially with 4K content.  The terms 4K and/ or Ultra High Definition (UHD) can be used interchangeably.  So if you are in the market for a new TV, purchase a 4K TV because 4K is coming and according to statistics released by Strategy Analytics, half of U.S. homes will have Ultra HD/4K TVs by 2020.

Eventually, customers will have to purchase a new Blu-ray player and Blu-ray movies, but they are not available for purchase yet.  Most UHD TVs are Smart TVs which means you can watch UHD/4K content using Netflix or Amazon.  In addition, receivers older than six months may not support the UHD content.  Meaning, if you want to see UHD/4K content on your new TVs, you will need an updated receiver.  As the standard moves toward UHD, cables that support UHD content will have to be used in conjunction with your components.  Investing in UHD/4K ready cables will be necessary at this time.

The best advice that Metra Home Theater Group can give you at this moment is the following:  if purchasing a new TV and you plan on having it for 3 years, get 4K Smart TV and the UHD cables needed.  Start making the investment so you are prepared when 4K/UHD becomes the standard. 

The Installer Institute Offers New Custom Integration and Home Automation Training

With Bike Week over and spring getting ready to start here in gorgeous Florida, it is time again for some training and I am not talking about baseball spring training.  I am referring to the new Advanced Training - Custom Integration and Home Automation classes starting next week on March 23^rd at Installer Institute.  Seems like we just returned from a successful CES just a few weeks ago and now BOOM!  It is March and it is time for training.  Calling all Integrators that want to up their knowledge and have been enduring a cold, cold winter.  Come on down to sunny, warm Florida to attend the classes and enjoy the weather.  Metra Home Theater Group is proud to offer high level education to those looking to enter or advance their skills in the field of Customer Integration through the advanced training program.  Click here to learn more.

Spring Break and Bike Exhaust

The traffic has gotten horrible here in gorgeous Florida, which means Bikers and Spring Breakers have descended at the same time.  We are currently halfway through Bike Week 2015.  For those of you not familiar with Bike Week, and have no idea what I am talking about, let me try to explain it in a nutshell.

Bike Week is when about 500,000 people of all ages travel to Daytona Beach area with their motorcycles and leather.  You may be thinking Sons of Anarchy and Jax Teller – um, not everyone looks like Jax Teller.  Disappointing, I know.  This event does provide the best people watching east of Mardi Gras.  It is the spring break event for grownups with motorcycles. There is an official Bike Week Calendar online that includes events like Amateur Arm Wrestling and David Allen Coe concerts.  All the fun is located from downtown Daytona Beach to US. 1 in Ormond Beach.

Now, factor in the Spring Breakers from colleges up north flocking down here like birds for winter.  On the beach are the college kids getting sunburnt and drinking beer.  It has been predicted that the colder than usual winter means the college crowd will be larger than previous years.

In short, there is quite the party brewing here in sunny Florida. 

All of this travel has me thinking about packing lists, and I came across a packing list for your tech gear I wanted to share.  Click here to see list.  Because parties like the one shaping up here in Florida, should be documented and shared online for everyone to enjoy.

 

 

 

 

WHAT IS THE INTERNET OF THINGS?

The term "Internet of Things" (or IOT for short) is everywhere.  Do you know what this means?  Do you know how this effects you?  I took some time to read up on the Internet of Things to educate myself because frankly, the phrase annoys me.  It sounds pompous.  This phrase reminds me of rich people saying “money does not solve everything.”  Really?  Money does not solve everything?  I am pretty sure money would have solved my problem of trying to figure out how to pay for books for college.  With that being said, the IOT sounds like it might solve everything.  The IOT is being thrown around in articles about everything from kitchen appliances to smartwatches. Yet no one has explained exactly what the Internet of Things means.  There is a hashtag to following and everything – yet no explanation.

Until last Friday.

I found Dan Sung’s article at Wearable.com and he explained what the internet of things means:

“It's an all-compassing term that refers to the internet changing from a giant network of connected PCs to a mega-network including everything around you. From your kitchen to your car and everything in between, the Internet of Things (IoT) is changing the world”

Read the fully article here. 

It is a wonderful explanation of how this Internet of Things revolution is important, how it could change our lives as we know it and the downside.

Read the article and see if it reassures you on the Internet of Things and how it is set to change everyday life. 

Personally, I have gone from annoyed to a little scared.