Posted on January 8, 2024
F1 swiftly transitioned its broadcasts from high definition to real HD, and in 2017, it embraced 4K ultra-high definition. Now, in collaboration with its official broadcast connectivity partner, Tata Communications, the groundwork is being laid for the anticipated next industry standard – 8K resolution.
The forthcoming images will exhibit four times the sharpness of current F1 broadcasts. While some may question the necessity of such a leap in picture quality, Dhaval Ponda, Vice President and Global Head of Media & Entertainment Business at Tata Communications, asserts that 8K is the future. Ponda explained that as global audiences have become accustomed to 4K content, especially the younger generation, the transition to 8K is well underway and offers finer details and higher quality.
Ponda identifies three crucial stages for F1 to embrace 8K broadcasts. Firstly, establishing the underlying digital infrastructure requires significant investment in next-generation technologies. The second step involves collaborating with technology partners to establish an 8K ecosystem, with Ponda emphasizing that change is a collective effort involving various companies, sports broadcasters, and federations. The final critical step is ensuring that 8K screens are affordable for consumers, which Ponda believes will happen as technology costs decrease.
Enhancing the viewing experience extends beyond improved image quality. Lag reduction is a critical improvement area. Currently, fans at the circuit experience a 1.5-second latency, while TV viewers face a delay of six or seven seconds. Tata is actively working to minimize this delay through better hardware, improved processing power, and investments in edge-based infrastructure.
Ponda envisions a near future where lag is significantly reduced, allowing viewers to witness events on their screens almost simultaneously with the live audience’s reactions. The focus on edge-based digital infrastructure is expected to drive these advances.
Furthermore, the challenge of synchronizing different elements of content consumption is being addressed. Ponda notes that most content across primary screens, digital screens, and venue screens is currently out of sync due to fragmented technology. Tata has collaborated with leading digital players to deliver a synchronized experience across various screens, ensuring that viewers can enjoy consistent video consumption regardless of the device.