China advances in the race to become a global 8K benchmark: the keys at the 4K HDR Summit 2023

• The 4K HDR Summit 4K HDR Summit will again put on the table the rise of 8K and the keys to the sector in its ninth edition.

• China is looking to take the global lead in production, according to experts working in 8K such as Olivier Chiabodo, CEO of The Explorers.

• “In 2024 there will be a Chinese camera of the same quality as the one we usually use but 30% cheaper,” Chiabodo assures.

The 4K HDR Summit will once again put on the table the keys to 8K and the booming progress of the sector in China. The National Digital Content Pole of Malaga will host from 13 to 16 November the ninth edition of this benchmark event on Ultra High Definition and, how could it be otherwise, the 8K will be one of the topics to be addressed by leading experts who will gather in the Andalusian city.

The Asian country wants to lead the world in 8K production, according to experts such as Olivier Chiabodo, CEO of The Explorers and speaker at this edition. The Chinese boom in 8K is a reality and the Chinese industry is paving the way to become a world reference in the sector.

In Chiabodo’s words, China has “a strong project” and there are already companies working Ultra High Definition content that are looking at the Asian country. “We have been working with them for a long time. In the next two or three years they can be experts in 4K and 8K.”

The Explorers is an active member of the Ultra High Definition World association in China and worldwide. UWA with all its members is developing a new high quality standard in 4K and 8K that will be open source. The HDR Vivid and Audio Vivid standard will probably be one of the most widely used in the world in the near future, thanks to its quality and the fact that it’s free and open source.

In fact, Chiabodo does not rule out that the involvement of Chinese engineers in projects such as the one carried out by The Explorers will lead them to develop equipment with the same features as those they currently use but at more affordable prices: “I am sure that in 2024 there will be a Chinese camera of the same quality as the one I use but 30% cheaper,” says the CEO of The Explorers.

According to Chiabodo, the Chinese industry has taken the lead in both production and high-quality TV channels and screens. “The Chinese market is growing very fast,” he says, urging to look to the Asian country for synergies and collaborations.

Precisely, The Explorers have been immersed in the recording of 8K content for some time since, as they advanced in the last edition of the 4K HDR Summit, “8K is the future”. According to Chiabodo, “in five to ten years it will be the high-end format, it is the best quality that exists today” and it seems that China has already taken note.

The conferences of the 4K HDR Summit 2023 can be followed through Medina Media Events’ ‘The Observatory‘. On this platform, attendees will also be able to schedule video meetings with other participants and speakers, as well as visit exclusive online demos. This ninth edition will be held on 13 and 14 November, in person, at the Digital Content Hub in Malaga, and on 15 and 16 November, virtually.

The ninth edition of the 4K HDR Summit is supported by the City Council of Malaga, the National Digital Content Hub, the Digital Agency of Andalusia, ATEME, Canal Sur Radio and Television, Axión, Fraunhofer, Mediakind, Synamedia, EVS, Telefónica, ADM Group, AJA, Hispasat, Cellnex, Eutelsat, Rohde & Schwarz, Canon, SONO, Hurí, UHD Spain and Europa Creativa Media Desk Andalucía.