Thursday afternoon at CES, RED's Ted Schilowitz participated in a panel discussion called Next Gen TV: building an ultra HD Ecosystem. Also on the panel were Chris Cookson from Sony, David Walton from JVC, John Taylor from LG and Jim Sanduski from Sharp. Moderator Rob Sabin from Home Theater Magazine led the group through a conversation covering 4k creation, distribution and display. Naturally RED has an interest in each touchpoint of 4K content.

Sabin began the discussion by introducing the origin story of 4K as a technology that grew out of the digital cinema world. Chris Cookson was first to speak. He elaborated on the history of 4K as a size not only perfect for viewing in theater and home but also an ideal size for scans of old 35mm negative. Cookson explained that, when it was introduced HD was a suitable digital equivalent for 35mm prints but could not contain all the visual information of the original negative. He also clarified that 4K is simply the proper size for our visual field. Theaters and screens at home have a closer relationship between the screen and eye and 4K fills that field correctly.

While Cookson ably made the case for 4K as a present day digital format, Ted (naturally) pushed the discussion towards the future. "What picture is good enough?" he asked before declaring that "4K is just a moment in time ."

Regarding 3D, the mostly agreed-upon consensus was that 4K offers something of a new perspective on the oft-derided 3D cinema. Cookson explained quite correctly that much of our recognition of 3D images happens in the brain not in the eye. "4K," he explained, "gives your brain those cues that you're watching 3D." Ted related the anecdote that when RED screens footage that was shot in 4K, mastered in 4K and projected in 4K, the reaction is often, "this is more 3D than 3D."

It was clear that 4K is no longer a novelty whose existence can be scoffed at as the discussion continued over codecs, panel size, and even the broadcast spectrum. 4K is the mainstream around which new standards will be created.