ABI Research, a provider of research services in global connectivity and other emerging technologies has released a new report, the Mobile, Multiscreen, and Cloud Video Delivery. The report unveils new insights on the adoption of the 4K or Ultra HD, saying that the growth of this technology will be steady, but not expected to rise very quickly. According to the report, currently, a large chunk of streamed HD content is being delivered in the 720p resolution or lower. TV screens, on the other hand are tilting towards the 1080p resolutions while mobile devices see continuously enhanced to their display resolutions.
In its statement, ABI Research said that providers of over-the-top (OTT) video services who deliver their content exclusively on the internet, which includes channels such as Netflix, VUDU and M-GO, are pushing the 1080p and Ultra HD for connected Customer Elecronics end-devices as part of their strategy to increase their content appeal and appear more innovative. Traditional distributors of rich video content, on the other hand, are likely to continue delivering their content on 720p as they target smartphones and tablets as the primary targets, continuing to leverage existing Pay TV services as their ‘main’ distribution channel for TVs. For mobile content, the chosen resolution, including among OTT service providers, is still the 720p.
“We expect Pay TV operators will seriously consider 4K movie services over IP connections directly to smart TVs, bypassing the set-top box. This will allow them to compete with OTT providers on feature set before rolling out 4K capable set-top boxes in 2015 to 2017. With the TV Everywhere household user base expanding from 4% (worldwide) in 2013 to over 20% by 2019, a number of consumers will be ready for these services.”
- Michael Inouye, Senior Analyst, ABI Research
“TV Manufacturers, such as Samsung and Sony, are doing everything in their power to seed the market with 4K content and services in order to convince consumers to purchase higher priced and higher margin 4K TV sets. Sony, with its motion picture division, is in a good position and has released a significant amount of remastered content on a download-based movie player. Meanwhile, Samsung in a similar fashion offered early adopters a free USB HDD with two full-length 4K videos and additional 4K clips.“
- Sam Rosen, Practice Director, ABI Research
