Re: 4K Streaming
tns2
Community Leader
Community Leader

@optivity wrote:

HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) H.265 w/4K compression is supposed to become the de facto standard used to stream Ultra HD content from source to your TV.



Which makes it less likely the current boxes will be able to handle it.  They would have to be awfully powerful CPU power to do it in Software(they're not), or have a decoder chip. 

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Re: 4K Streaming
optivity
Contributor - Level 3

I don't own a 4K Ultra HDTV and I doubt the ARRIS platforms are equipped with an onboard H.265 HVEC decoder, let alone support HDMI 2.0, so streaming ultra high-definition content is a moot point during the forseeable future.

If these specs/standards hold true this will lead to our next round of equipment upgrades around (5) years form now.

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Re: 4K Streaming
film111
Specialist - Level 1

The only advantage there is in getting a 4K set today is if it also has 3D.  That way, owners can utilize and enjoy content (via cable, satellite, streeaming, or Blu-Ray) that already exists.  Otherwise, it's best to wait until the 4K sets can improve their performance with 480, 720p, and 1080i material.

Of course, equipment upgrades will be required for 4K...you'll need a new Blu-Ray player, of course.  (MAYBE one will be out by Xmas 2015)...but I'd prefer to wait a year on those as well.  Audiophiles already are now having to buy new receivers in order to take advantage of the Dolby Atmos format which is now starting to be included on some Blu-Ray titles.

And there's yet ANOTHER tv upgrade being worked on for 2016!.  

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Re: 4K Streaming
tns2
Community Leader
Community Leader

@film11 wrote:

The only advantage there is in getting a 4K set today is if it also has 3D.  That way, owners can utilize and enjoy content (via cable, satellite, streeaming, or Blu-Ray) that already exists.  Otherwise, it's best to wait until the 4K sets can improve their performance with 480, 720p, and 1080i material.

...

Most of the UHD TV's do a fabulous job with 420, 720p and 1080I material.  So that is not a reason to wait.

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Re: 4K Streaming
PJL
Master - Level 3

@CRobGauth wrote:

Sure there is. they only have the same bandwidth for TV that most cable systems do.

And I am not sure there is any 4K content out there available to stream.

Not to mention too few customers with 4K TVs.


1) The OP asked about OP streaming (which is what VOD is), not "4k channels" which are the bandwidth limitation of the QAM system use by FiOS (and many other cable systems).   4K offered in a streaming mode is clearly possible with FiOS and the inherent IP bandwidth capabilities of the system would suit this well.  But it would involve new STBs since even the Quantum STBs do not support HVEC, the prevalent 4K UHD standard..

2) There is a lot of 4k UHD content available "to stream" including Netflix, YouTube and other sources on-line sources.  But if Verizon were to "stream" the content via the VOD process for movies, etc. content is currently available in 4k format for such VOD streaming.  DirecTV currently does this (their newer STBs support the 4K HVEC standard).   But again, the current FiOS STBs do not support HVEC, 

3) There are increasing numbers of 4K sets out there.  It wasn't too long ago that 1080p 50" flat panel TVs were around $3K.  Back then (about 5 years when I bought my last TV) the FiOS HD offerings were slim. and have increased to what they are now.  I just got a 65" 4k UHD set for $2.2K, and I have access to Netflix, YouTube and other on-line 4k streaming.  As the price drops and the adoption rate increases demand for 4K will increase too -- and eventually FiOS will catch up.  It will happen -- just don't expect it any time soon.  (And the HD content, upscaled to the 4k TV, is and improvement over 1080p display of the same content.)

This is just a data point from one very happy 4k UHD TV owner.

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Re: 4K Streaming
film111
Specialist - Level 1


2) There is a lot of 4k UHD content available "to stream" including Netflix, YouTube and other sources on-line sources.  


I don't think I'd categorize HOUSE OF CARDS and BREAKING BAD re-runs, and maybe 9 or 10 movies like SMURF 2 and HITCH on NF as "a lot."

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Re: 4K Streaming
jwblyth
Newbie

Christmas was pretty no, (VERY) good to me this year!  OK, so I just got a new Vizio 55" uHDMI set and see that I can stream (some) Netflix in Ultra and I realize FiOS will not work for Ultra until they upgrade SetTops; although I initially thought that "Fiber Optic" would somehow always be the best connection...  And I know I am ignorant about all this video streaming and all, but,

I am having REAL DIFFICULTY understanding how Netflix or Amazon can stream Ultra to me when they need to go through the FiOS.  

I have the new Gateway FiOS router but have as yet not figured out how to optimize the 5GZ Wireless; and I yet I am also pretty sure the Ultra streaming does not  care nor is affected one way or the other; but HOW DO Amazon and Netflix manage (considering I have not as yet tried connecting either the new Smart TV or the new XboxOne directly to the Router)..so HOW DO they get their signal to me?

Something is missing in my understanding of how this technology works; of course.  Can anyone help explain this to me? 

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Re: 4K Streaming
copper45
Enthusiast - Level 2

Verizon Fios data is a must to help push the 4k streaming, that is if they like to keep those customer that have fios and not have to deal with the chance of comcast or goggle pushing there weight around. Verizon idea of putting everything and everyone in the cellphone to be able to mtm will be the end of the best service and that is Fios.

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Re: 4K Streaming
CRobGauth
Community Leader
Community Leader

Simple.
Amazon, Netflix and otehr streaming providers don't have to worry about bandwidth to your house.

They have as much as you pay for.
Cable providers on the other hand, have a limited size pipe they can use.

Even though FIOS has fiver to your house, they use a technology called QAM that limits how much TV bandwidth they have to carry TV signals. If they carry more high bandwith channels, then they can carry less of them.

Re: 4K Streaming
joeterp1
Newbie

@CRobGauth wrote:

Simple.
Amazon, Netflix and otehr streaming providers don't have to worry about bandwidth to your house.

They have as much as you pay for.
Cable providers on the other hand, have a limited size pipe they can use.

Even though FIOS has fiver to your house, they use a technology called QAM that limits how much TV bandwidth they have to carry TV signals. If they carry more high bandwith channels, then they can carry less of them.


If you’re a Verizon FiOS customer, however, there is a silver lining to this story: When in fact 4K becomes a reality, your high bandwidth, fiber-to-the-home connection will already be capable of feeding your new monster UHD TV all the Ultra High Definition content that's available. Until then, sit back and enjoy your HDTV on FiOS TV, the highest quality video experience available to your home today.

http://www.verizon.com/about/news/fios-ready-4k-tv-when-ultra-hd-finally-goes-mainstream/

Also, if Comcast, DirecTV, and Dish are offering 4K via apps built into tvs or special STBs, why can't Verizon have a similar solution? Why would Verizon push out all these new Quantum STBs before they had 4K support?  Doesn't seem very forward thinking.

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