By Theron Trowbridge, Director of Encoding Operations & Advanced Video Technology, Deluxe Digital Distribution
4K is the new leading television technology that will capture consumers’ imagination. While the industry recognizes the potential, the processing, workflow, and delivery mechanisms must be re-defined for mass scale as subscribers embrace this exciting new viewing experience and 4K UHD devices proliferate.
As 4K unfolds, multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) will assume that files delivered by studios and content providers will conform to the optimal viewing experience across the multiscreen device landscape. In reality, all 4K is not created equal.
To prepare for 4K processing, workflows and distribution, MPVDs must sort through multiple issues to ensure that 4K-optimized content measures up to the requirements of a superior customer experience. In this paper, we will begin to frame the conversation to address the many questions that MPVDs will have to answer to distinguish true 4K-optimized quality content from everything else going by that name. We also consider steps operators can take to position themselves as leading providers of very high-quality content and the ways in which use of cloud-based management and storage can greatly reduce the costs of offering a 4K service.