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| Netflix tests 'ultra high definition' 4K video streams | Netflix tests 'ultra high definition' 4K video streams |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| Netflix, the TV and film streaming service, has started testing "ultra high definition" video. | Netflix, the TV and film streaming service, has started testing "ultra high definition" video. |
| Also known as 4K the technology offers four times the amount of detail as 1080p high-definition content. | Also known as 4K the technology offers four times the amount of detail as 1080p high-definition content. |
| Netflix said it plans to offer the first titles in 4K to customers next year. | Netflix said it plans to offer the first titles in 4K to customers next year. |
| But some analysts question whether broadband speeds in the UK are fast enough to cope with ultra high definition streaming. | But some analysts question whether broadband speeds in the UK are fast enough to cope with ultra high definition streaming. |
| "Average broadband speeds in the UK are 7.6 megabits per second, you would need to have at least double that speed to watch 4K reliably on a streamed basis," says IHS broadband analyst, Richard Broughton. | "Average broadband speeds in the UK are 7.6 megabits per second, you would need to have at least double that speed to watch 4K reliably on a streamed basis," says IHS broadband analyst, Richard Broughton. |
| "Currently only 15% to 20% of households have the speeds necessary." | "Currently only 15% to 20% of households have the speeds necessary." |
| Despite wide availability of broadband networks in the UK's towns and cities, only 4.8 million customers are taking advantage of "superfast" speeds, defined by Ofcom watchdog as 30Mbps or above. | Despite wide availability of broadband networks in the UK's towns and cities, only 4.8 million customers are taking advantage of "superfast" speeds, defined by Ofcom watchdog as 30Mbps or above. |
| Craig Nelson, spokesman for the Internet Service Providers' Association, told the BBC: "We think streaming of 4K TV services will require minimum broadband speeds of about 100Mbps to work properly, but only businesses, production houses and a limited amount of homes currently have that kind of speed. | |
| "A lot will depend on the compression technologies, or codecs, service providers use. | "A lot will depend on the compression technologies, or codecs, service providers use. |
| "The real hindrance won't be broadband speeds but the availability of screens." | "The real hindrance won't be broadband speeds but the availability of screens." |
| Only a few manufacturers currently make 4K TVs and, as with all cutting-edge technologies, they are expensive. For example, Panasonic's 65in LED 4K TV costs £5,500, while Sony's equivalent costs £5,000. | Only a few manufacturers currently make 4K TVs and, as with all cutting-edge technologies, they are expensive. For example, Panasonic's 65in LED 4K TV costs £5,500, while Sony's equivalent costs £5,000. |