EBU Members are progressively moving to HDTV production and HDTV broadcasting. HDTV broadcasting will be made in either of the 720p/50, 1080psf/25, or 1080i/25 formats. HDTV production will also use these formats.
1080p/50
In order to provide a greater margin for processing for programmes where the highest quality is needed, Members are also considering some programme production using the 1080p/50 format which has more ‘headroom’. Manufacturers are beginning to make 1080p/50 production equipment, so this is becoming more practical. Decisions about the use of 1080p/50 will be taken by individual broadcasters, based on the type of programme, its use, and other factors.
4k
2011 has seen several manufacturers make available cameras and camcorders that have four times the resolution of the 1080p/50 format. This ‘4k’ format has 2160 lines and 3840 sample s per line. Whether this format is used for HDTV production where even more headroom is valuable is not yet clear. It will depend on such factors as price, availability, and compatibility with existing infrastructures. This format has some elements in common with one of the digital cinema formats, but operates at a higher picture rate, so some overlap of use might eventually occur.
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Evolution
And we should not forget research is performed on an even higher definition format (8k), too! However, for the moment, HDTV programme production will use one of the three formats given above (720p/50, 1080psf/25 and 1080i/25). And we may see an evolution over time to some programme production using either the 1080p/50 or 4k formats depending on their cost, availability, and convenience.