Harley Sutherland
The first commercially available 4K camera for cinematographic use was the Dalsa Origin, released in 2003. The Dalsa Origin II is no longer available, as Dalsa discontinued the Digital Cinema division in 2008. The Origin II was available via a rental-only model similar to Panavision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of first 4K camera | 2003 |
| First 4K camera model | Dalsa Origin |
| Resolution of first 4K camera | 4096 × 2048 (8.3 megapixels) |
| Year 4K became popular | 2010 |
What You'll Learn
The first commercially available 4K camera was the Dalsa Origin, released in 2003
The Dalsa Origin is well-suited for visual effects photography employing digital compositing and travelling matte photography on larger budget productions. The camera was developed by a collective group, including a cinematographer and the founder of Cinema Products, Ed DiGiulio. During development, the camera was tested by several members of the filmmaking world, including Daryn Okada, ASC, and Allen Daviau, ASC.
The Dalsa Origin has a resolution of 4K (4096×2048) at a high-bit depth. The camera outputs an uncompressed, RAW Bayer pattern 16-bit image, which was considerably higher than other cameras limited to 8, 10, or 12 bits. This results in a linear exposure latitude equivalent to over 13 stops. The camera's final configuration can run 1–30 frames per second.
The Dalsa Origin II, also known as the Evolution, was an upgraded version of the camera released in 2007. It featured improved image quality and a simplified touchscreen interface. The Dalsa Origin II is no longer available, as the company discontinued its Digital Cinema division in 2008.
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YouTube began supporting 4K video uploads in 2010
In 2010, YouTube began supporting 4K video uploads. This was five years after the first 4K camera was made. The online video-sharing platform, which was launched in 2005, had previously supported plain old HD. At the time, only a handful of people had access to a 4K camcorder, and 4K projectors were neither simple to find nor affordable.
YouTube's support for 4K content was announced at the VidCon 2010 conference. This meant that the platform now supported "resolutions from 360p to 4,096p". The reference resolution for 4K was 4096 x 3072.
YouTube's support for 4K was a result of leading manufacturers producing 4K cameras. Users could view 4K video by selecting "Original" from the quality settings until December 2013, when the 2160p option appeared in the quality menu.
In November 2013, YouTube began to use the VP9 video compression standard, saying that it was more suitable for 4K than High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC). Google, which owns YouTube, developed VP9.
The first commercially available 4K camera for cinematographic purposes was the Dalsa Origin, released in 2003.
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The first 4K home theatre projector was released by Sony in 2012
The VPL-VW1000ES features a new SXRD 4K panel, which produces outstanding deep blacks, and when combined with Sony's Iris3 technology, the projector can achieve a dynamic contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1. With 2,000 ANSI-lumens of brightness, the projector can accommodate screen sizes up to 200 inches diagonally.
The projector also includes Sony's “Reality Creation” upscaler technology, which allows users to upscale SD or HD, as well as 2D or 3D, content to 4K resolution. This feature was particularly useful at the time, as native 4K content was scarce.
The VPL-VW1000ES provided a premium home theatre experience, with a price tag to match, retailing for approximately US$26,000. This high price, along with the limited availability of 4K content, meant that the VPL-VW1000ES was likely out of reach for the average consumer.
However, it represented a significant step forward in home theatre technology, offering consumers an immersive viewing experience with exceptional image quality and detail.
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4K TVs entered the market in 2013
The first 4K cameras were invented 12 years before 4K TVs entered the market in 2013. The Dalsa Origin, the first commercially available 4K camera, was released in 2003. 4K technology was developed by several research groups in universities around the world, including the University of California, San Diego, and Keio University.
In 2013, 4K TVs entered the market, with some UHDTV models available to consumers for around US$600. The 4K television market share increased as prices fell dramatically throughout 2013 and 2014. By 2014, 4K content was becoming more widely available online, including on Apple TV, YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon.
The release of 4K TVs was preceded by the development of 4K cameras and projectors. After the announcement of 4K cameras, 4K projectors for cinemas were produced and installed in major-city cinemas. Then came 4K PC monitors, online streaming, and TVs. Finally, the 4K TV standard and 4K TV broadcasts were established.
The need to provide affordable televisions globally and the rise in production capacities are major factors driving the growth of the 4K TV market. The technological advancements in television sizes and their resolutions, as well as the surge in investments and the growth of the electronics industry, have also contributed to the market's expansion.
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The first 4K TV standard and 4K TV broadcasts were introduced in 2016
The introduction of the 4K TV standard was a response to the increasing demand for higher-quality viewing experiences and the growing availability of 4K content. By 2016, 4K content was becoming more widely available online, with platforms like Apple TV, YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon offering a range of 4K programming. Additionally, the prices of 4K televisions had been falling, making them more accessible to consumers.
The ATSC 3.0 standard, also known as NextGen TV, enables TV stations to transmit 1080p and 4K video over the air, providing a significant upgrade in picture quality. This new standard supports resolutions of 3840 x 2160 pixels, commonly referred to as 4K UHD, with an aspect ratio of 16:9. This is four times the number of pixels found in 1080p HD resolution.
The introduction of the 4K TV standard and broadcasts was a significant step forward, but the adoption of this technology has been gradual. Many older TVs do not support the ATSC 3.0 standard, and even newer TVs may lack compatible tuners. Additionally, the availability of 4K broadcasts is still limited, with only a few stations in select markets offering this enhanced viewing experience. However, the number of stations and markets offering 4K broadcasts is expected to grow in the coming years.
The journey towards 4K television began with the development of 4K cameras, which were first introduced in 2003 with the Dalsa Origin. This was followed by the introduction of 4K projectors for cinemas and then 4K PC monitors. The establishment of the 4K TV standard and the initial 4K broadcasts in 2016 represented a pivotal moment in bringing this technology into the homes of viewers, marking a new era of ultra-high-definition television.
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Frequently asked questions
The first commercially available 4k camera was the Dalsa Origin, released in 2003.
The Dalsa Origin had a resolution of 4096 x 2048 (8.3 megapixels).
Yes, 4k cameras were invented before 4k televisions. The first 4k televisions were released in 2013.
It made sense for the camera to come first because traditional film cameras and projectors used 35mm film, which is roughly equivalent to 4-6k resolution. A 4k camera allowed for a fully digital production workflow without sacrificing quality.
