High definition (HD) video has helped to reimagine the way we consume content on our television screens, ushering in a new dimension of immersive broadcasting. The path to the mainstream has been a long and winding road for HD video, but today it’s helped to overhaul the clarity and colour of all kinds of live streamed content.

Whether it’s television broadcasts, live sporting events or real-time live dealer casino games, HD video is now at the heart of 21st century entertainment. When it comes to the latter, these live streamed table games and gameshows have become the beating heart of any online casino due to their authenticity, replicating the look and feel of a real-life casino floor. They’ve been so well-received that live dealer games have evolved from just table games to colorful gameshow-style experiences complete with elements of augmented reality (AR) overlaid.

The onset of HD video

The prospect of high-definition content began to rear its head towards the back end of the 1990s. Standard definition (SD) broadcasting had set the standard for generations of television viewers. Needless to say, as technology evolved, the need for crisper, more detailed video content grew. Televisions began to get larger and thinner, requiring video content in a much higher resolution of pixels than ever before.

SD broadcasts were usually supplied in 480p, standing at 720 x 480 pixels. HD broadcasts provided a 50% increase in screen resolution to 720p, equating to 1280 x 720 pixels. As time evolved, 1080p emerged, equating to 1920 x 1080 pixels, enabling even greater pixel counts for crystal-clear, vibrant imagery. The theory being that HD video could better recreate life-like visual content.

It wasn’t just increasing television sizes which accelerated the need for HD video. The improvements in camera tech made it possible to improve the clarity of broadcasts, plus the ability to digitally transmit broadcasts also supported a new wave of HD-ready television sets.

The benefits of HD content

Undoubtedly the number-one benefit of HD video over SD video is the detail of a broadcast. It’s possible for viewers to view all kinds of intricate detailing, expressions and real-world textures to get a real feel for on-screen environments. All of which helps to add an extra dimension to the storytelling of video content.

Furthermore, the ability to render a broad spectrum of colors with the utmost vibrancy and accuracy also heightens the realism of broadcasts. This has been proven to be hugely effective for nature documentaries, where realism and detail aren’t just beneficial but essential to the viewing experience.

Live broadcasts have also been made sharper with the integration of HD video. Live sporting events aren’t so grainy on-screen, making it easier to catch the biggest in-game moments. Today, even modest smartphones are able to capture HD-quality content, which has proven hugely popular in the face of the new TikTok craze.

What does the future of broadcasting look like?

The emergence of HD video has certainly changed the face of broadcasting for the better, but it’s not been without its hurdles to overcome. For media-rich digital streams, broadcasters have had to greatly increase their bandwidth to support live streaming of shows. Meanwhile compression technologies have also been forced to evolve at pace to convert HD content faster while maintaining the vibrancy and clarity that viewers have come to expect.

Speaking of evolving technology, HD video will soon be left in the darkness as broadcasters and streamers adapt to showcasing video content in even bigger resolutions. The emergence of 4K and even 8K has captured the imagination. 4K resolutions mean video content can be broadcast with as many as 4,000 pixels in view horizontally and 2,160 pixels vertically.

In fact, 4K content has been in use since the mid-2000s. In themovie world, the Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) set a new benchmark of 4,096p x 2,160p for all cinematic production. While HD and Ultra HD (UHD) have been the standard for consumer displays, cinema screens have been using 4K for the best part of two decades.

The transition is already underway to 4K for consumer devices and displays too, with even games consoles starting to offer video game titles in 4K. As full-fibre connectivity proliferates around the world, we should see sufficient bandwidth to support 4K viewing experiences for all four corners of the globe.

Share.

2 Comments

  1. Thank you I have just been searching for information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the best I have found out so far However what in regards to the bottom line Are you certain concerning the supply

Leave A Reply