10 reasons why 2014 will be the Year of 4K

RedShark News by Patrick Jong Taylor

4K has been on the mind of producers, cinematographers, editors and other pros for some time now. But 2014 will be the year it breaks wide for video professionals and consumers alike, and here’s why

If you’re a regular reader of RedShark, then you are no doubt familiar with 4K as it pertains to video acquisition (RE: cameras) and post workflow. We have also covered 4K uptake on the consumer front. For much of 2013, I was skeptical that 4K (or UHD) would penetrate the home market anytime before the latter half of this decade. But after a fresh reading of the tea leaves, I must admit that I was flat-out wrong.

2014 WILL be the year 4K hits the mainstream for both video professionals and consumers. Keeping perspective: I don’t believe every home will have a 4K television by the end of the year, but it will grace enough homes that most of you will at least know someone with a 4K set. And 4K will quickly become the most desirable delivery format for television broadcast around the world.

Here are the ten reasons why I’ve changed my tune and embraced the inevitability of 4K in 2014 (in no particular order):

10. Apple
With the introduction of the revamped Mac Pro, Apple reaffirmed its commitment to video professionals with a machine capable of handling 16 concurrent streams of 4K content. While the real-world value of the new Mac Pro is still a source of debate among pros, it’s hard to argue with the sheer speed and power of its creation. Yet even the most ardent supporters of all things Apple were surprised by the new Mac Pro's (albeit brief) pairing with a Dell 4K monitor on the official Apple site.

Here at RedShark, we wondered whether the omission of a 4K Cinema Display meant that Apple was prepping a whole range of 4K displays for the office and the living room. Rumors abound of 65” and 55” Apple television sets to debut by Christmas 2014 at the astonishing price range of $1500-$2500. read more...