Ruqayyah Snyder
4K TV is a technological revolution that offers an unrivalled viewing experience with breathtaking clarity and fine detail. Australians have been buying 4K Ultra HD TVs for over six years, but the country has yet to fully adopt the DVB-T2 broadcasting standard, which enables 4K Ultra HD transmission. While there are a variety of brilliant 4K TVs available in Australia, the country is lagging in implementing modern broadcasting standards, with most content still being broadcast in standard definition. With the first 4K TV channel launching in Australia in October 2022, the question remains: when will Australia start to fully broadcast in 4K?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current status of 4K TV in Australia | 4K TVs have been available in Australia for over six years, but as of 2021, Australian free-to-air networks have not yet adopted the DVB-T2 standard, which supports 4K and 8K Ultra HD broadcasting. |
| First 4K TV sold | The first 4K TV was sold in the US in October 2012. |
| 4K TV trials in Australia | Preliminary trials were conducted in 2018, with a second phase in 2019 in Brisbane and the Gold Coast by organizations including TX Australia, Broadcast Australia, and Free TV. |
| Current broadcasting standards in Australia | Australia is lagging in adopting modern broadcasting standards, with most content still broadcast in standard definition. |
| Government role | The Australian government's media reforms aim to improve the variety and quality of content, but critics argue for a more consumer-centric approach. The government's focus on reducing the spectrum for free-to-air networks may fund the transition to DVB-T2 but could lead to media overcompression. |
| Image quality | 4K TVs offer unparalleled image quality with a vast resolution superiority compared to HD, resulting in a breathtaking sense of clarity and a truly immersive broadcast experience. |
| Price range | 4K TVs range in price from around $800 for smaller screens to $15,000 for large, top-end displays. |
| Available brands | Various brands offer 4K TVs in Australia, including LG, Panasonic, Apple, and more. |
| Streaming services | Major streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video offer content in 4K, enhancing the viewing experience. |
| Streaming devices | Streaming devices such as Apple TV 4K, Google Chromecast Ultra, and Foxtel Now box support 4K streaming. |
| Gaming | 4K enhances the gaming experience, with support for PlayStation and Xbox Wireless controllers. |
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What You'll Learn
4K TVs have been sold in Australia for over six years
There are a few options available for those wanting to watch 4K content on their TVs. Pay TV giant Foxtel launched its 4K live channel in 2018, offering a range of movies, documentaries, music, and sports. Stan is also offering 4K football in Australia as of 2023. Additionally, all major streaming services provide 4K content, and 4K Blu-ray discs can be played on compatible players. Video games can also be played in 4K if you have the right console.
The Australian government has stated that media reforms will support the Australian media industry and improve the variety and quality of content for Australians. However, there is a lack of clarity on how these improvements will be achieved. One core issue is the adoption of DVB-T2 broadcasting, which enables 4K Ultra HD transmission. While most digital televisions sold in Australia support this standard, the country is yet to fully implement it.
Trials of DVB-T2 have been conducted in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, but full-scale implementation remains pending. It appears that Australian free-to-air networks are waiting for government funding to transition to DVB-2. In contrast, many European countries mandated DVB-T2 in televisions sold after January 2017, and it is expected that DVB-T2 will cover over 75% of homes in Europe by 2022.
With the first 4K TV channel in Australia about to launch, it seems that 4K broadcasting is finally taking off in the country. This technology offers an unrivalled viewing experience with stunning imagery and a truly immersive broadcast experience. With a range of 4K TVs available in Australia, from modestly priced options to top-end displays, Australians can now enjoy the benefits of this technological revolution.
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DVB-T2 broadcasting enables 4K Ultra HD transmission
Australia has been slow to adopt modern broadcasting standards, and while Australians have been buying 4K Ultra HD TVs for years, most content is still broadcast in standard definition.
The adoption of DVB-T2 broadcasting, which enables 4K Ultra HD transmission, is critical to addressing this issue. DVB-T2 is a digital video broadcasting standard that allows for the transmission of high-quality 4K and 8K Ultra HD content. It was first introduced in September 2017 and has since become the global standard for television broadcasting.
In Australia, preliminary trials of DVB-T2 were conducted in 2018, with a second phase in 2019 in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Despite this, full-scale implementation is still pending, and Australian free-to-air networks are yet to adopt the standard. This is in contrast to many European countries, which mandated DVB-T2 in televisions sold after January 2017.
The delay in Australia may be due to the government's focus on reducing the spectrum available to free-to-air networks, potentially to auction it to mobile network operators. While this approach could fund the transition to DVB-T2, it also risks media overcompression.
To view 4K content, Australians will need a TV that can display 4K images, with prices starting around $800. With the first 4K TV channel in Australia launching in October 2022, and the availability of 4K content from major streaming services, the time is now right for Australians to immerse themselves in the breathtaking images that 4K TV has to offer.
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Foxtel is the only TV network broadcasting in 4K
4K TV is a technological revolution that has been flying under the radar for a couple of years. While Australians have been buying 4K Ultra HD TVs for over six years, there are no TV networks broadcasting in 4K except for Foxtel, which launched its 4K live channel in 2018.
Foxtel is Australia's only pay TV provider and delivers 4K content via satellite. To access Foxtel's 4K channels, you'll need to have a satellite service and the iQ4 set-top box. There are only two channels showing 4K content: Movies Ultra HD and Sports Ultra HD. However, not all content on these channels is in 4K; it is upscaled by the iQ4 set-top box.
Foxtel's limited 4K offering has been attributed to poor internet speeds. Streaming 4K content requires a consistent, high-speed internet connection, and Foxtel subscribers would need a minimum of 25Mbps download speed to stream 4K content reliably.
Despite Australia's slow adoption of 4K broadcasting, there is a range of 4K TVs available in the Australian market, with prices starting around $800. These TVs can handle 4K content from external streaming devices like Apple TV 4K and Google Chromecast Ultra, as well as major streaming services like Netflix, Stan, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Apple TV+.
While 4K TV is still in its early days in Australia, with just one dedicated 4K channel, the future looks bright. With advances in technology, we can expect to see more 4K content and channels, providing Australians with an immersive and cinematic viewing experience.
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4K TVs range from 43 to 85 and start at around $800
4K TVs have been available in Australia for over six years, and the technology is now flying under the radar. With four times the resolution of Full HD TVs, 4K TVs offer around 8 million pixels, resulting in incredibly clear and detailed images. This enhanced resolution provides more detail, colour accuracy, and enhanced contrast in both bright and dark scenes. The bigger the screen, the more noticeable the resolution advantage becomes, with 65-inch TVs (and larger) bringing the "wow factor".
Despite the availability of 4K TVs, Australian free-to-air networks have yet to adopt the DVB-T2 standard, which supports 4K and 8K Ultra HD broadcasting. While Australians are increasingly purchasing 4K TVs with DVB-T2 capability, most content remains broadcast in standard definition. This has led to a lag in Australia's adoption of modern broadcasting standards.
However, there are other options for viewing 4K content. Pay TV giant Foxtel launched its 4K live channel in 2018, and all major streaming services offer 4K content. Additionally, 4K Blu-ray discs and video games, with the right players and consoles, can also provide a cinematic experience.
If you're considering purchasing a 4K TV, it's important to note that prices vary depending on size and brand. 4K TVs range from 43 to 85 inches and start at around $800, with prices heading up to $15,000 for top-end displays. When choosing a 4K TV, it's recommended to go for a name brand and shop within your budget. Additionally, consider the HDR capabilities of the TV, with OLED TVs, such as those from LG, and LED LCDs with "local dimming" being recommended options.
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4K TVs have twice the number of pixels as HD TVs
In Australia, the excitement around 4K TV has been building for years, with Australians purchasing 4K Ultra HD TVs with DVB-T2 capability for over six years. However, as of 2021, Australian free-to-air networks have yet to fully adopt the DVB-T2 standard, which is essential for 4K and 8K Ultra HD broadcasting. This lag in adopting modern broadcasting standards means that while Australians are buying 4K TVs, most content remains in standard definition.
Despite the delay in implementing DVB-T2, there are still options for viewing 4K content in Australia. Pay TV giant Foxtel launched its 4K live channel in 2018, and in October 2022, channel 444, Australia's first 4K TV broadcast channel, was introduced. With a range of 4K TVs available in Australia, from modestly priced options to top-end displays, Australians can now enjoy an immersive broadcast experience with stunning imagery.
While 4K TVs offer superior resolution, it's important to consider other factors that impact picture quality. High dynamic range (HDR) performance, overall contrast ratio, and colour can enhance the viewing experience beyond just pixel count. Additionally, the size of the TV also affects the viewing experience, with larger screens accentuating the resolution advantage of 4K.
In summary, 4K TVs offer a significant upgrade in image quality due to their higher pixel count, and Australians can now access 4K content through select channels and streaming services. However, the full potential of 4K broadcasting in Australia is yet to be realised, pending the widespread adoption of DVB-T2 by free-to-air networks.
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Frequently asked questions
4K TV is already available in Australia. Australians have been buying 4K Ultra HD TVs for over six years, and the first 4K TV channel, Foxtel, launched in 2018.
4K TV is a format known as Ultra HD (UHD). The designation "4K" refers to the number of pixels that make up the width of the image, which is 4096 pixels for UHD and 3840 pixels for TVs. This results in an image made up of 8.2 million pixels, compared to 2 million for HD.
4K TVs offer an unrivalled viewing experience with breathtaking images and clarity. The bigger the screen, the more noticeable the resolution advantage, with 65-inch TVs and larger bringing the "wow factor". 4K TVs also support HDR, enhancing the colour and contrast of content for a cinematic viewing experience.
To watch 4K TV, you need a TV that can display 4K images, ranging from 43" to 85" from various brands. You will also need a streaming device that supports 4K, such as Apple TV 4K, Google Chromecast Ultra, or Foxtel Now box.
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