4K & Next Stages: What’s Next in IFE Display?
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Ask any techy to tell you about the latest technology in screen resolution today and the conversation will likely revolve around 4K and Ultra High Definition (UHD) technologies. In a session at APEX TECH Conference Universal City, California Larry Iboshi, Imagik International examined how this emerging tech could influence in-flight entertainment (IFE) and factors airlines should consider as they look to the future of IFEC and screen resolution.
“The IFE industry should be aware that consumers will have UHD in their homes and plan for it,” explained Iboshi, citing a projected 40 percent penetration rate for 4K within the TV market by 2018. And with content providers such as Netflix and DirecTV beginning to offer content in 4K, passengers might be demanding these technologies in flight sooner than later, mirroring what we’re seeing with passenger expectations when it comes to Wi-Fi and connectivity.
“The physical space you have on an airplane simply doesn’t match what you experience at home.”
But is 4K and UHD technology the best fit for IFE? If we look closely at “optimal viewing distance” recommendations for UHD for example, the answer is, technically, no. As Iboshi outlines, optimal viewing distance for a 55-inch HD TV is eight feet. Translate this to the world of IFE screens (and the physical space available on an aircraft to a passenger in business class) and you’re left with a required 32 inch screen to meet the optimal viewing criteria. “The physical space you have on an airplane simply doesn’t match what you experience at home,” adds Iboshi. Despite these setbacks, Iboshi notes that the viewing quality is there and, for marketing purposes, airlines might still consider 4K/UHD technology.
So what are the alternatives? Iboshi points to AMOLED (active matrix organic light emitting diode) technology which allows for high speed, a high color gamut and a wide viewing angle. “But this alternative comes with a price,” adds Iboshi, highlighting the current cost of AMOLEDs. There are also “aging issues” that can occur with this technology, which, may not be as large of an issue for short-term gadgets like our smartphones, but those issues are a big concern when it comes to airplane screens.