It seems like only yesterday that high-definition TV was the buzz-word; but it appears the industry is already looking toward the "next big thing": ultra high-definition TV (UHD).

UHD, which supplies anywhere from four to 16 times the resolution of 1080p (1,920 x 1,080), or 7,680 x 4,320 pixels (known as "8K"). "4K" resolution is also available, providing 3,840 x 2,160 pixels. The technology will show its face in professional applications over the next five-to-10 years, however, research firm In-Stat says it won't hit the mainstream market until for some time.

In addition to resolution far beyond HD, UHD also provides 22.2 multi-channel, three-dimensional sound," claims Michelle Abraham, In-Stat Analyst. "This is a vast improvement over the currently available end user viewing experience in the home."

In-Stat predicts that broadcasters will start offering UHD content to an available market between 2017 and 2022. By 2021, 5% of households in Europe will be equipped to view UHDTVs, up to 28.2% by 2025. Not surprisingly, Japan will be among the early adopters of the technology.

While HDTV has reached the relative mainstream market today, there is still plenty of work to be done in getting consumers, as well as broadcasters, fully and completely on board with the technology. Yet we're already thinking of UHDTV as a mainstream option. If anything, it shows the quick-moving nature of the industry. And here I thought 3D would be the next big development.

Still, it begs the question: do we need even more resolution in a picture?

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