4K TVs debut at CES - to launch in 2012

We have seen 4K TVs before but at CES 2012 the 4K technology made a big splash. It was not the king of the show but 4K panels were exhibited by all the major players, including Samsung, Panasonic, Toshiba, and Sony. Sharp and LG are even planning to release TVs with 4K resolution in 2012.

4K TVs debut at CES
We have seen 4K prototypes in the past but at CES the manufacturers revealed that they are ready to move. We saw 4K panels from Sharp, LG, Samsung, Panasonic, Sony, and Toshiba.

At CES Sharp was the biggest advocate for 4K resolution, and had a range of 4K demonstrations set up. The demonstration below is a 4K panel compared to a Full HD panel. The 4K panel shows upscaled Full HD content and the Full HD shows transparent Full HD content. However, the 4K screen still excelled in picture detailing and looked very impressive.


Sharp’s 4K demonstration

Sharp also promises to make 4K reality later in 2012. We have no details at the time of writing, but 4K is coming soon, Sharp says. Sharp also exhibited their extremely impressive 8K TV . This panel is still a prototype but it demonstrates how far Sharp has come in the resolution field.


LG’s 4K Cinema 3DTV

At LG’s booth we found their new 84-inch 4K Cinema 3DTV. LG wanted to demonstrate how great passive 3D pictures look on a 4K large-format TV (3D content was reproduced in Full HD). And people were clearly convinced because the TV attracted a massive crowd. LG plans to release the TV in the second half of 2012.


Samsung’s 4K demonstration

Samsung also exhibited 4K panels but refrained from telling any details – but it certainly looked impressive on the 70-inch LCD panel.


Panasonic’s 20-inch 4K-panel

Panasonic did not reveal actual TV panels with 4K resolution. Instead they revealed a smaller 20.4 inch LCD panel with an impressive pixel count of 3840x2160 – or just 4K. The panel has a pixel density of 216 ppi (pixels per inch).


Sony’s 4K projector

Sony had no 4K TV panels on display but they once again exhibited their 4K projector and a new Blu-ray player with 4K upscaling – both products coming in 2012.


Toshiba’s glasses-free 3DTV with 4K resolution

Toshiba also showcased a 4K TV; more precisely their glasses-free 3DTV. The TV has already been released in Asia and will arrive in the US in 2012. The 3D resolution is far from 4K but with 2D content, Toshiba can make the 4K magic happen.

With all these 4K demonstrations it is evident that 4K TVs are approaching fast - and faster than we expected. At the moment Sharp seems to push the hardest, which also makes sense with their many large-size TVs coming out.