Ultra HD in 2011-2012 says Philips 

It seems Ultra-HDTV, predicted to be a technology that’s 15-20 years off, could be with us by 2011, or even sooner. 

Philips has just showcased in Lisbon its latest thoughts on consumer electronics equipment, in particular its 9000 Series LCDs which claim performance specifications even better than the Philips Aurea range of stylish high-end “ambilight” and active frame products.

But senior staffers at Philips suggest this is only the start. Danny Tack, a Philips marketing director, spoke enthusiastically about next generation TVs and in particular what might follow 1080p displays, helped by upscaled Blu-Ray discs, and the work being done by NHK engineers in Japan on 4K devices. Questioned on when the first 4K displays might appear, and Tack admitted not in the next two or three years, but “by 2011, 2012. In Japan it could be next year.”
 
http://rapidtvnews.com/index.php/ultra-hd-in-2011-2012-says-philips.html 

 

Personnaly, you can only see the limits of 1080p picture in extremely large screens at a decent viewing distance. So unless you have an image wall with a touch surface, acting as a multipurpose display for your home (a la Microsoft Surface), in short : the final evolution of TV+computer+domotic+other, more than 1080p is not viable commercialy, as is the SACD for mass market.

If 4K is just for movies, like SACD for music, the market will be very small, a niche videophile market. 

4K screens could be used for 3D viewing without special glasses with a lenticular system in order to create a great "more than 1080p" 3D picture, but that's another story! 

I have read a study from the BBC that Ultra HD is noticeable from 60 inch and larger.

 

 

Noticeable doesn't mean it will be a commercial success...

Wasn't it the BBC that claimed previously that 1080p wasn't noticeable before 50"??? Don't be fooled by pseudo scientific claims, believe what you see... 

Try to find a wall where you can hang a 60"' screen and have sitting space in a normal living room!

Personally, past 1080p I'm really only interested in contrast and colors.  I can see this arena turning into the digital camera system, where cheap pocket cameras are now boasting about having over 9 megapixels, but what good is it through a little junk lens.  I'll take an 8 megapixel digital slr over an 11 megapixel pocket camera, but the companies know how many average consumers just think that more mega pixels are better.