4K has become the usual quality in which we watch all kinds of series, movies, and documentaries on streaming platforms like Netflix or Disney+. But even conventional television does not offer us this quality. At least for now. But in Valencia DTT is already being tested in 4K or Ultra High Definition.
Although it is expected that from 2023 all channels will be in HD, it could soon go a step further and the resolution could become 4K. They are still specific and specific tests, but it may be that in just three or four years you will be able to see movies on television in the highest quality and with excellent resolution.
What is 4K and what will it take?
Before understanding what tests will be carried out in the Valencian Community with three 4K broadcasts, it is worth knowing what 4K is and why it is an advantage for viewers and inhabitants of the community when it comes to watching “conventional television” beyond Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and other platforms.
The first thing to keep in mind is that we cannot play 4K content without a compatible screen. We need a television capable of reproducing the signals in the 3840×2160 pixel resolution that offers this quality and we will also need to have DVB-T2. What is DVB-T2? DVB-T stands for Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestial or, what is the same, Digital Terrestrial Video Broadcasting. The 2 corresponds to the most advanced version, to the improved evolution of this technology and that allows us to have 30% more bandwidth and up to 60% improvement, which means that we can see 4K without any problem.
This will be the DTT tests in 4K
As reported by Europa Press, the trading company Infrastructures and Services of Telecommunications and Certification (Istec), as part of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Model, is already carrying out pilot tests and the first audiovisual broadcasts are already being carried out with an advanced format of 4K television through the Generalitat’s terrestrial television network.
The test will consist of three pilot broadcasts in each provincial capital. Three emissions from Istec of which the first has already been authorized. The first will cover the Valencia metropolitan area on Channel 41 and has already been authorized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation. In addition, authorization has already been requested for the remaining two broadcasts, for the pilot tests that would also allow it to be done in Castellón de la Plana and Alicante.
According to the aforementioned media, the Minister of the Treasury and Economic Model, Arcadi Spain, explained that these tests and first editions show that “the Generalitat has network infrastructure to be able to transport and disseminate new technology services, at the same time that shows the power of adaptation that it has to include experimental services in its telecommunications networks”.
Other channels in tests
There are also other channels under test running in 4K. For a few months the channels have been throughout the country but the frequency will depend on your province. At a national level, the only channel being tested on TVE 4K and we can watch it from some cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Seville or Valencia as long as we meet the technical requirements and have the DVB-T2 decoder built into our television.
In addition, from the summer of 2021 other channels such as UHD Spain are also tested by satellite or by Internet as long as we have the antenna oriented to Hispasat if we choose the satellite option. The channel is managed by Cellnex, Axión and Telecom CLM and it depends on the province to broadcast some content or others. Including popular festivals such as the Carnival of Cádiz or Holy Week in Seville.
