14 DAY TRIAL // People and cable operators, not to mention satellite TV providers, are still warming up to the idea of 4K content (3840 x 2160 pixels), but already work is being done on 8K (7680 x 4320).
NHK's Science & Technology Research Lab has been testing 8K since May 2012.
The Japanese company has since come a long way. The first test consisted of 8K signal being sent over UHF frequencies over 2.7 miles.
The most recent one, which took place just a short while ago, broadcasted such streams over 16.8 miles.
The signal originated at the NHK offices in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture, in southern Japan.
16.8 miles is about the same distance achieved by current digital over the air broadcasts in Japan, which basically means that 8K is almost ready for deployment.
It's only the utter lack of 8K content that will keep this from happening for probably a decade or so, or more.