Amazon Studios, the original film and TV production arm of Amazon.com, today announced that it plans to shoot all 2014 full original series, including comedies and dramas, in 4K Ultra HD. 4K is the latest and most advanced in high definition video, utilizing displays with an aspect ratio of at least 16:9 and capable of showcasing video at a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels or 8.3 million pixels—that’s four times the number of pixels as standard full HD. 4K means customers can enjoy their favorite movies and TV shows with unprecedented picture clarity—details are sharper with smoother lines so that even up-close images seem clearer and more realistic.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20131216005725/en/Amazon-Studios-Shoot-2014-Original-Drama-Comedy

Manufacturers like Sony and Samsung have their new 4K TVs as a revolution in imaging. Sony's website describes their displays -- which range in price from $3,000 to $25,000 -- as "four times clearer than HD." Samsung's $40,000 85-inch TV promises "a new form of fulfillment" with its "simply breaktaking resolution."

Are these marketing claims plausible? And just what are the limits of the human eye's ability to perceive resolution? Here's an easy way to visualize it:

A person's field of vision covers about 200 degrees, a little more than a semicircle. At arm's length their index finger's fingernail will appear to be about the width of one of those degrees. Imagine that fingernail covered in 120 alternating black and white stripes — being able to discern those stripes at that distance is just about the theoretical limit of the human eye.

In reality, though, hardly anyone has such superb vision. In fact, most people would be unable to discern pixels or lines twice that size. And whether a phone or tablet display meets that standard depends on how far it it is from the viewer. In a living room, a viewer's 40- to 60-inch TV is positioned at a fixed distance, probably seven to nine feet away. Unless pixel-hungry TV fans buy far larger set, or push their couches much closer, any increases in resolution simply won't be perceived.

http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/enough-pixels-already-tvs-tablets-phones-surpass-limits-human-vision-2D11691618?ocid=msnhp&pos=1

BenQ will launch Ultra HD LCD TVs with refresh rates of 120Hz as soon as the second quarter of 2014, with panels to be supplied by affiliated AU Optronics (AUO), according to the company.

BenQ will launch 55- and 65-inch models initially, the company said. In addition, BenQ will launch WCG (wide color gamut) Full HD LCD TVs with NTSC of over 90% soon and WCG Ultra HD models later, the company indicated.

"Panel makers are planning for nearly 27 million Ultra HD TV panels to be produced in 2014, while vendors have somewhat more modest expectations for the end market. There is a significant difference in outlook between China and other regions."

DisplaySearch said Ultra HD TV shipments are expected to total 1.9 million units in 2013, rising to 12.7 million units in 2014. China will have an 87% share of Ultra HD TV units in 2013, dropping only slightly to 78% in 2014. This means that Ultra HD TV shipments within China will lead all other regions combined by a factor of three in 2014.

Very bad news to LG and Samsung. not only to their 4K plans, but also to their StupidTV platforms as Chinese manufacturers like to support full fledged Android with their advanced models.

Samsung's Tizen is DOA.

Most funny thing that Samsung plans to use Tizen and LG will use WebOS :-) Their idea is to fully control apps and services, but I think it'll be big failure.

A $1,000 4K TV will be on display at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, but it's not coming from Sony, Samsung, or another well-known TV vendor. Instead, the brand etched into the 50-inch Ultra HD set is none other than Polaroid — a name synonymous with film and instant photography. It's important to note that the product seen here is actually manufactured by Empire Electronics, another company that has simply paid to license Polaroid's brand. It's likely not far off from other off-brand 4K TVs, some of which have already dropped below $1,000.

Seems like rebadged Chinese TV for me. As this company has nothing except old name.

During a pre-CES briefing today, Shawn Dubravac, chief economist for the Consumer Electronics Association, said he "wouldn't be surprised to see 75 UHD TV announcements" this week. That number could be as high as 150, including hardware rollouts, distribution deals, and more, as manufacturers and programmers begin "coming together to figure out what that's about," he said.

While Dubravac said it will be a while before most people upgrade to UHD, he pointed out that, according to CEA research, close to 500,000 UHD TVs will be sold this year, up from just 60,000 in 2013.

Looks pretty bad comparing to China situation.

Check out this 4K upsampling cable :) http://www.reviewed.com/video?event=ces2014&video=3023527957001

@igorek7

US will be far behind in 4K wagon. Check posts above. Whole CES coverage by leading newspapers now looks like big hoax, same as with tablets. Were biggest actual manufacturers and sellers are either just deducted from actual numbers or hidden in "others".

It is also will be very hard for LG, Panasonic and Samsung, but their SmartTV platforms are dead already, even before updates become available.

One idea I agree with the article is that the modular scheme consisting of relatively dumb display + small replaces external devices is seemed to be avoided by the major TV manufactures in the desire to make us buy each time the "whole thing". Anyway, let's see what will happen this year.

Sales of small Chinese produced TV addons are very big now. This year they'll come to big retail and will be much more powerful.

As for Chinese manufacturers, all their good models will be 4K, passive 3D and four core chips with Android.

The Blu-ray Disc Association has recently decided to standardise a specification for 4K content on Blu-ray discs. Victor Matsuda, Vice-President of the Blu-ray Disc Association told this to a Hollywood Reporter.

http://www.myce.com/news/blu-ray-4k-specification-to-be-finalised-by-the-end-of-2014-70125/

Primer of one of Android TV boxes and sets from Chinese. I have Konka TV myself and they are pretty good.

Modern 4K TVs use quad core CPUs, same as mid level tablets, able to play any video or Android games. Usually you just use wireless Bluetooth keyboard with trackpad, or you can connect stationary mouse and keyboard.