4k news_news 26/03/2015 17:44 Page 1
EUROMEDIA
UHD
in association with DTG
Ultra HD
awareness grows
indings from satellite
operator SES suggest
that while consumers
in the main European
markets are aware of Ultra
HD, sales are yet to match
such awareness. Meanwhile,
the operator is taking steps
to ensure greater public
understanding of the
technology.
Revealing the figures at SES's
Satellite Monitor event in
London, Laurence Cribier, senior
market research co-ordinator,
confirmed that German viewers
showed greater awareness than
their European counterparts,
with 44% of all German TV
homes reporting having heard
about Ultra HD, but only 1%
actually owned an Ultra HD
screen.
UK viewers were next-ranked,
F
with 39% awareness, but greater
set ownership at 4%. French
viewers reported 34% awareness
and 3% ownership, with Spain
ranking fourth at 26% awareness
and 3% ownership.
SES confirmed in mid-March
that its Ultra High Definition
(UHD) demonstration channel
was available in the UK and
Ireland. Broadcast via ASTRA 2E
at 28.2° East, the new channel
will simulcast the UHD
demonstration channel that is
currently at SES's primary
European orbital position of 19.2
degrees East. The Ultra HD
content is broadcast using the
DVB UHD-1 Phase 1 signalling
specifications and is encoded in
the HEVC Main 10 standard.
The channel features a mix of
colourful and extremely detailed
scenes that demonstrate the
clarity of Ultra HD television urban sports, exotic animals and
nature, cityscapes - along with
footage of SES’s headquarters in
Betzdorf. It can be received with
a standard satellite dish
connected to a state-of-the-art
Ultra HD flat screen TV featuring
an integrated satellite tuner and
HEVC decoder.
"We are delighted to have set
up this demonstration channel at
the prime orbital position for the
UK market,” said Mike Chandler,
managing director of ASTRA
(GB) Ltd. “We are making use of
the capacity to enable UK and
Irish retailers, installers and
enthusiasts to understand the
technology that makes UHD
possible, and what it will mean
for their viewing experience. We
encourage our trade partners to
show our Ultra HD demo channel
at their points of sale for
demonstration purposes.”