The first 4K TV channel has already gone live in Europe, although the only content being shown for the moment is demo footage and not actual programs. However, they plan to launch their first channel offering this improved visual content once they are able to analyze consumer demand. However, a Japanese broadcast company has said that they will show the 2014 World Cup in 4K.

By then we would have been treated to some amazing 8K TVs at next years CES, but for now all we are interested in is 4K TV because by 2014 the price of these TVs that support the improved quality would have gone down in price, and if this is the case then knowing that Japanese consumers would be able to watch World Cup in 4K would surely help 4K TV sales?

There has been some confusion recently because some people had assumed that the cameras being used would not be able to record in 4K and then would need to be upscaled, but this is not the case because many sporting events have already been filmed in 4K, such as the recent Olympics, although it was only broadcast to select people.

When we come to the start of the 2014 World Cup and you live in Japan or are visiting, then we would advise you to start sucking up to your friend now if you wish to view the huge sporting event in a quality that has never been seen before. Let’s hope that the likes of USA, UK and other parts of Europe screen the 2014 World Cup in 4K as well, as these would be a perfect way to help generate sales of those TVs equipped to handle the technology, as well as promoting their new 4K sports TV channel.

The next big leap in TV technology is 4K, and while it may seem like a long time since this was first announced, we’re only now starting to see these Ultra HD TV sets hit the market. However, there are two concerns, the first is by the time these televisions are at a more affordable level then 8K will be released, and secondly there is a lack of 4K content.

Samsung said during their CES 2013 press event that if they build it then the content will come, and news that the world’s first 4K TV channel now going live in Europe is proof of just that. For now the only TV channel content to be able to take advantage of this new format is from the French-based satellite provider Eutelsat.

We hope that this will start the snowball effect and that more TV channels offering 4K content will follow because it’s clear to see that brands like Samsung, LG and Toshiba have all invested heavily in 4K technology and are desperate for more content than is currently available.

However, we shouldn’t get too excited just yet because we’re told that the world’s first 4K TV channel is just to show what is to come from Eutelsat, so will be showing a series of demo reels and no actual programs. Let’s not get too depressed about this because the satellite provider shows that they are preparing for a full on 4K TV channel, although one would presume that they will want to wait until enough of their customers actually have a 4K TV set in order to take advantage of this Ultra HD content.

We have seen all of the 4K TV hype generated at this year’s CES expo in Las Vegas, but how long will it actually be until consumers can afford 4K television sets to replace their current setup with regards to gaming? That may be a long way away unfortunately due to high costs, but we do have a fantastic glimpse of the future to show you – more specifically, a video showing off The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim running on a 4K TV.

Those of you who forked out huge amounts of money on a 3D TV at launch (myself included), are now probably regretting that decision since 3D gaming now appears to be drying out real fast. 4K TV tech is now the coolest thing on the block and those who hope to own a 4K TV at the first opportunity may have to pay up to $25,000 – a price tag that currently awaits buyers looking to pick up Sony’s 84-inch 4K TV announced late last year.

That doesn’t even include the new Sony 4K OLED TV, which was announced as the world’s first of its kind at CES 2013 just a few days ago, which is expected to sell for a near fortune and obviously off limits to the average consumer. While we wait for the prices to drop on 4K TV sets which may take some time, we have a look at how the PC version of Skyrim operates on one 4K TV courtesy of a German website.

PCGamesHardware has shown off Skyrim running with a 4096×2160 resolution and it’s safe to say that the game looks absolutely incredible. If you watch the HD version of the videos, you can see close up just at the extra level of detail that the boost in resolution offers and it is mouthwatering stuff thinking of how next-gen games are going to look, when hooked up to one of these monitors.

If the video of Skyrim doesn’t impress you, there is also another video giving you a glimpse at what Battlefield 3 looks like on a 4K monitor as well – stunning stuff. Unlike 3D, 4K technology looks like one trend that is likely to stick around for a very long time. Let us know if you plan to pick up a 4K powered TV once prices are reduced.

Watch Skyrim and Battlefield 3 on 4K resolution here – don’t forget to switch on HD.

We have been hearing about OLED TVs for a number of years and Sony launched a small TV some time ago, so it is understandable if a few tech enthusiasts feel more optimistic about OLED and 4K TV at CES 2013. There is certainly more televisions on offer this year that include 4K or OLED technology, although we do wonder what is realistic in terms of being affordable in 2013?

You would have found OLED screens on smaller gadgets for years, including the new Toshiba OLED smart watches. Over the last few days we featured some of the latest innovations in televisions at CES 2013 and these have included the new Westinghouse 4K LED TV, Toshiba Ultra HD 4K TV, and even a 4K 20-inch tablet from Panasonic. One thing a number of these 4K and OLED gadgets have missing is a price, some are brave enough to display a figure, and this becomes obvious when we consider the reality about how affordable certain technology is like OLED.

Tim Moynihan has wrote an article taking a look at what is reality compared to fantasy at CES 2013, which is focused on the topic of OLED and 4K TV. He looks at the visible difference between the two technologies separately, and gets up close with some of the first OLED TV sets arriving in 2013. These include the likes of LG’s 55-inch OLED TV with a model number 55EM960V, although the $12,000 price will be unrealistic to the majority of consumers. Moynihan also takes a look at the new 4K TV sets arriving and that were showcased at CES 2013.

The price of the large screen 4K OLED TVs is still ridiculously high at this time, so if you were hoping to purchase one of these big screens in 2013 you might want to reconsider. It is worth noting that Vizio are planning to offer a more budget friendly 4K TV at the end of 2013, in the form of their 70-inch XVT Ultra HD TV that currently has no exact price. You can also take a look at a video via the above link that had been shot at CES and explains the 4K and OLED offering in under a minute.

In case you missed it: We have included a video below that features Samsung’s CES 2013 press conference about OLED TVs and a new UI.

When it comes to TV announcements during CES, the one company that we look forward to seeing what they have planned is Samsung, as they are the biggest TV maker in the world. We already knew that they had a number of Samsung Smart TV 2013 updates planned, such as a new Hub interface, but we have also learned that they also wish to show off their very own 4K TV as well, which we will talk about at a later date.

The new five-screen interface will not only be included in the new 2013 range of Samsung Smart TVs, but also some of the older models by way of an update via an add-on device – although this will not be the case with all models. Samsung knows that since TVs began to connect to the Internet they needed to offer new ways to keep us occupied, which they have done a decent job of so far, but the South Korean TV maker knows that they need to simplify things to keep consumers interested.

You’ll see in the video below just how simplified the new Hub interface is, which will now be ready to use the moment you turn your TV on. You will be met with 5 screens, On TV, Video On Demand, My Content, Social and Apps.

Will you want the new 2013 features on your 2012 Samsung Smart TV? Going back to the 2012 models, as we said above you will be able to get these updated features for those who feel cheated that they have missed out. However, there is a downside, as you will have to purchase a Samsung Evolution Kit, which is expected to cost $200-$300. You will have to decide if you wish to pay the extra just to give your 2012 Samsung Smart TV some extra processing power.

Personally I’m not prepared to pay any extra to get these new features, as it is just too much money for what I would get in return.

The announcements are coming in thick and fast for what we can look forward to seeing during CES 2013, and one device that will get a great deal of attention is the TV, although this has been the same year after year. Technology moves at a fast rate with televisions, and the big advancement will be UltraHD TVs this year, and the Toshiba L93000 Series Ultra HD 4K LED TVs are the first to start the ball rolling.

This new range will have to be something special because there’s going to be a great deal of competition, although we don’t think Toshiba will be worrying about the Westinghouse 4K LED TV, which will be on show during CES this year. However, the L93000 Series will have to contend with the Sony XBR-84X900 84-inch 4K TV, but it does have one serious issue that works against its success, the price, which is $25,000.

While Toshiba has been happy to give us a rough release date for their HD 4K TV, which is in the summer, they seem more reluctant to offer us the Toshiba L93000 Series Ultra HD 4K TV price, let’s hope that they drop a few hints during this years event. However, it has already been reported that these new better quality TVs will come in three sizes, 58-inch, 65-inch and 84-inch.

Toshiba has packed some great technology into this new range, such as ClearScan for a 240Hz refresh rate and quad and dual core processor. However, let’s hope that they have gotten over their Achilles heal, which seems to be poor build quality – although I had a Toshiba TV for years and did not have one issue.

We do love the idea of 4K TVs, but the only worry is where is the future because there isn’t much 4K content at the moment, this could end up being an even slower process that 3D was a few years back, which is still struggling to get the recognition that it deserves.

We wouldn’t expect the Canon EOS-1D C 4K camera to be one of the most sold considering its high price, just under $12,000, but this DSLR would be perfect for the professional photographers that like to shoot movies while in motion. This is shown in the first video sample below, which features the Canon EOS-1D recording while a 4×4 is being driven down a hill and under a number of other situations.

It is pretty obvious why the start of the video is a little shaky, although our readers should remember this is a test to see how well the Canon EOS-1D C shoots under these conditions. There are massive improvements with this 4K camera as seen in the video sample, but every digital camera has a limit and this explains the shaking at the start. Would you be happy with this performance after spending $12,000?

The second video sample presents “Micro Expressions” and demonstrates further motion image photography, which is a great presentation that touches on a number of benefits shooting 4K video and creating stills from that video. This video features a few interviews with industry leaders, and they discus the benefits of Canon’s EOS-1D C for professionals.

You can see the movie recording size related figures in the table below, which is followed with another table that features required storage card performance and answers a few questions some of you might have about what cards to use when recording 4K video.

Do you think the Canon EOS-1D C camera is worth the money? If you’re wondering what you’ll find in the box, then take a look at this page on the official website, which also provides links to the full specifications, user manual, and drivers. The Canon EOS-1D C release date has already past for Japan, although those of our readers in the US should expect the camera this week.

Consumer electronics fans will be glad to get Christmas out of the way as this will pave the way for CES 2013 and while there will be a huge range of products on show, one that will certainly grab some attention is the new Westinghouse 4K LED TV. However, there’s a fear that if this 110-inch 4K LED TV still looks like a Westinghouse then it could put a few people off, but it’s all about value as well.

What makes this model so special is that it’s significantly larger than what we have seen in recent months, and this is something that Westinghouse will play on. However, because they have yet to share any details, such as the 110-inch Westinghouse 4K LED TV specs and price, it has been reported that there are a few surprises in store for consumers during CES 2013.

In the past this television manufacturer has been guilty of not building TVs with sexy thin bezels like Samsung, so are not very pleasing on the eye. However, we do know that many consumers have been happy with their Westinghouse TVs because of their value for money and how long they last consumers, although this isn’t the case for everyone. What we do find amazing is that you get a cheap brand manufacturer like Westinghouse bringing out a 110-inch 4K TV, when some of the big boys don’t even have one on the market yet.

As we mentioned above there are a few smaller 4K LED TVs coming to the market, one such model is the Sony XBR-84X900 4K Ultra HD TV, but you’ll really need to be committed to this kind of technology as it will set you back $24,999.99 – cannot see the larger Westinghouse version having a price anywhere near that figure can you?

It has been a while since we first learned about OLED TVs so just maybe we could see more affordable OLED displays on show during CES 2013, surely this would be something consumers would much rather see than oversized TVs that are out of reach for a majority of us?

We love it when a company takes their already good product and turns it into a great product and that is exactly what GoPro have done their new GoPro HERO3. This has not been simply a matter of repackaging, adding a few sleek curves and a new color scheme, the GoPro has had a serious makeover both inside and out. GoPro have really given their new 4K camera some thought and made some inspired changes and added some fantastic additional features.

For any PR followers who are not familiar with the GoPro they are wearable, shockproof and waterproof cameras and have been widely used in adrenalin sport circles since 2004. In the last couple of years they have been adopted by most major TV stations and used to capture HD images for broadcasting. The cameras can be attached to the body with various straps, harnesses or can be helmet mounted or attached to vehicles, bikes and boards with quality suction or sticky pads.

There are 3 models of the HERO3, White, Silver and Black. The top spec Black Edition boasts 2X faster video performance, 3X photo performance and also includes a waterproof Wi-Fi remote.

The first and most obvious change is the fact that the GoPro 3 is 30% smaller and 25% lighter than previous models, now weighing in at just 2.6 ounces; impressive considering the previous incarnation was barely noticeable when worn. A new reduced-distortion aspherical lens means recorded images are so much sharper and suffer much less distortion and this combined with a newly designed flat lens waterproof housing means a much better image is captured above and below water.

We at PR, feel the biggest addition has to be the built in Wi-Fi and the optional Wi-Fi remote. With built in Wi-Fi the HERO3 can also be controlled with iOS Smartphones and Tablets running the GoPro app. This allows full camera control and live preview on your App enabled product.

The highest spec Black Edition boasts cinema quality video at 2X the resolution and frame rate of previous models and offers video modes of 1080p-60, 720p-120, WVGA-240, 960p-100 and 1440p-48. For those of you with 4K TV, you can see Sony’s 84-inch 4K TV here, the HERO camera can also record in a mouth watering 4KP-15 fps high-resolution video. Imagine 4K home movies! Photo performance is 3x improved on previous models and now can capture 30 separate 12 megapixel frames a second and performs incredibly well in low light conditions.

We have owned the HER02 for a while and the quality of video and pictures taken have been outstanding. Unfortunately we have noticed a couple of issues with the HERO2 and are really hoping that GoPro have addressed these with the new Editions. We found the menu for controlling the camera sometimes confusing and it took a long time to learn the scrolling route to alter various settings and to change functions. The biggest problem for us however is the occasional fogging of the camera when sometimes used in very cold water or the camera was worn against the body for long periods of time, GoPro do sell anti fog inserts to combat this, but loosing footage of a recent Maldivian surf trip was a painful lesson learnt.

With prices starting at $199.99 for the White Edition through to $399.99 for the Black Edition GoPro have created a tiny, robust and innovative camera that punches well above its weight. The GoPro official video below is well worth a watch for jaw dropping quality and action.

The GoPro HERO3 is on pre-order now and will be available for shipping from November 15, and we don’t expect this release date to change. Let us know your thoughts on the new Go Pro HERO3 and will anyone here be rushing out to place an order and let us know of any other improvements you wish they had made?

Here at PR, there is nothing we like more than a big screen experience, so the forthcoming arrival of Sony’s new 84-inch Ultra HD 4K TV has left us drooling. It is sure to be a big hit with those with deep enough pockets to afford it, although the $25,000 price tag will be out of reach for most.

With 4 times the resolution of standard HD sets the 4K LCD screen contains an impressive 8 million pixels, 3840×2160, and by using edge lit LED technology the picture is crisp, realistic and the color contrast exact. This means viewers can enjoy a wider 60-degree viewing angle and sit much closer to the unit. Sony has for the first time introduced passive 3D, which they claim is the closest thing to 3D theatre in your own home. 2 pairs of 3D glasses are included.

Virtual 5.1 Surround Sound is provided by a 50w amplifier driving 10 speakers, configured in 2 banks of 5 that are fitted neatly to the side of the unit. This leads to claims of a truly immersive sound experience and an enlarged sweet spot so everyone in the room can enjoy the sound quality.

The TV panel dimensions are a whopping 84×44 inches and will bring the feeling of the theatre to any room. Due to the edge lit technology the TV is only a little over 3 inches thick. With 4 HDMI sockets, built in Wi-Fi and 2 USB sockets Sony have got the connectivity options covered.

Although the Sony XBR-84X900 is certainly leading the way in big screen home entertainment, there are undoubtedly a few issues. Of course the eye watering price tag will be a big concern to most, but in time, as with all technology this is expected to drop significantly. One of the biggest issues surely has to be what to watch on your new super screen. YouTube does support 4K content, although it does seem to be limited in choice. There are a few cameras out there that are capable of filming in 4K for you, such as the new GoPro Hero 3 (which we will review here soon) if home editing is your thing. It should also be remembered that there are currently a lack of compatible disc or media players available. There are however some Blu-Ray players that are able to upscale Blu-Ray discs to 4k.

So it appears the future is here and really big TV screens are a reality, but will they be coming to a lounge near you? With Sony facing competition from LG who have produced an 84-inch 4K Ultra HD TV of their own for $20,000 this can only be a good thing. After all we all like a bit of healthy competition. We will run a comparison of the Sony XBR-84X900 and the LG 84LM9600 here soon. Will anyone here be rushing out to buy it, or what price would you be willing to pay for that true home theatre experience?

You can check out Sony’s official video below, which showcases the new 84-inch 4K TV although we’d love to know your thoughts on the specs and price.