Samsung, Sony and Panasonic have been busy showing off their latest breakthroughs in terms of image quality and screen technology at Europe's largest tech fair but this year the focus is as much on getting content to consumers as it is on the televisions themselves.
Until now, options for consumers looking for native content for their UHD TVs were limited. They could stream a TV show via Netflix, a video via YouTube or use a dedicated media player and download content to it.
But whatever the choice, it all hinged on how good and how fast the internet connection was. Prices for UHD TV sets are coming down to the point where they're considered affordable for the average US or European family, but the lack of native content or the need for superfast broadband is proving a huge stumbling block in terms of faster adoption.
However, Samsung has detailed the world's first consumer ultra-high definition Blu-ray player, meaning that come the holiday season, it's very possible that watching a film in 4K resolution will be just as simple as hitting ‘play' on a remote control.
The first films coming to the format include the latest reboot of the "Fantastic Four" and "Kingsman: The Secret Service" as Fox was on hand to help Samsung with the promotional push.
However, the content and features don't stop there. The device will be able to stream content too and Samsung is working with broadcasters to get them to commit to providing programming and movies. What's more, the company claims that the UHD Blu-ray player will be able to upscale content from a DVD or HD Blu-ray disc to make it seem like native content.
Panasonic is using this year's event to launch its first ever UHD TV sets and very impressive they are, too. They use OLED rather than LCD displays for the most accurate and responsive color palette and are the first models to achieve THX accreditation for image quality. The 65-inch display is also gently curved for a more immersive viewing experience and the set is expected to cost around $10,000 when it hits the shelves.
Sony, which has been a pioneer in both UHD TV and in getting content to consumers, unveiled a range of 4K and 3D-capable home theater projectors. And although it hasn't confirmed how much the devices will cost, it has confirmed that their bulbs are good for over 6,000 hours and that depending on the distance from a wall or a projection screen that they can throw an image between 60-inches and 300-inches in size.
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