In 2017, Hispasat remained true to its commitment to bring Ultra High Definition (UHDTV or 4K) to end users by undertaking several initiatives to promote this technology. Indeed, Hispasat has a specific 4K channel in Europe and North America, which is distributed over Hispasat 30W-5 and Amazonas 3, respectively, the purpose of which is to act as a technological demonstrator available to the industry.
At the same time it has been working to showcase the use of the High Dynamic Range (HDR) as a complement to the 4K channel to improve image quality along with HVEC coding; the foregoing all on native 4K content.
With a view to promoting this technology and the progress made by Hispasat in 2017, several events were held such as the Hispasat 4K International Short Film Festival; not to mention the collaboration with Spanish national TV, RTVE, to digitise the National Film Archive into 4K. Moreover 4K content has been made available through the RTVE “red button” application.
Hispasat also contributed to the transmission of live events using UHD technology, such as the first live broadcast in Spain with 4K HDR technology of the Changing of the Guard at the Royal Palace in Madrid or the live broadcasting via satellite of Madame Butterfly from the Opera Week at the Teatro Real to numerous public squares, museums and cultural centres in over 200 Spanish towns and cities.
Moreover, smart TV has become an added feature to many homes, thus bringing about a drastic change in TV consumption by families. Hispasat continues to drive the SAT>IP system, as reflected by the growth of the SAT>IP Alliance in 2017 that saw new members join and the signing of a cooperation agreement with the DVB alliance.
