FIFA now reveals 8K TV production plans for 2014 World Cup

In fact, football's world governing body is going to be working on 8K production of a "few matches" at this summer's tournament in partnership with Japanese public broadcaster NHK.

MORE: Sony and FIFA to extend 4K Ultra HD coverage of 2014 World Cup

According to Advanced Television, Niclas Ericson – head of FIFA's TV division – told delegates at the annual MIPTV event in Cannes that 8K production was in the pipeline this year.

Ericson said: "With NHK of Japan we are also working on 8K production. This will include a few matches but is a very different arrangement, with a handful of cameras – only a few exist.

"But it does mean that we can down-convert the 8K camera work to 4K, and make those images available for the 4K productions."

BLOG: Will Ultra HD 4K be a winner at the 2014 World Cup?

Meanwhile, Ericson also shed more light on FIFA and Sony's planned 4K TV coverage at the tournament – particularly in relation to the possible broadcasting of the resulting pictures.

He told delegates that discussions were ongoing with "broadcasting clients" and that a "world feed" of 4K signals was being proposed, depending on who might then take those signals

"We hope that there will be a few Asian broadcasters, and then in the Middle East as well as Europe, [who] will take the 4K feed, as well as Globo in Brazil," he said.

MORE: 4K TV? Japan aims for 8K broadcasts by 2016

Under the proposals for extended Ultra HD 4K coverage of the 2014 World Cup laid out last week, FIFA and Sony confirmed that three games – at the Maracana – will be produced in 4K.

In addition to the matches themselves, 4K TV technology will be used in the filming of the Official 2014 FIFA World Cup Film in order to "further promote the growth of 4K content".

Sony will provide "extensive technical support", including the development of a 4K live production system. Equipment such as the CineAlta 4K live camera PMW-F55 will be used.

MORE: Ultra HD 4K TV – reviews, news and everything you need to know

by Pete Hayman

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Pete was content editor on What Hi-Fi?, overseeing production and publication of digital content. In creating and curating feature articles for web and print consumption, he provided digital and editorial expertise and support to help reposition What Hi-Fi? as a ‘digital-first’ title; reflecting the contemporary media trends. He is now a senior content strategist.