CES 2011: Sony Shows Off The First 4K TVs (that's 4000 x 2000 pixels!)

Sony is planning to launch its first 56'' TV with a 4K display later this year.


This is something we mentioned on the site recently: on the largest TVs, Full HD is reaching its limits, so we think it's time to upgrade to an even higher resolution.

The big manufacturers seem to agree, and once again, they're moving faster than we thought. Nobody really imagined we'd have 4K TVs for at least a few years, but they're already on their way—at the very top end of the market, anyway. We're hoping that the technology will trickle down to ordinary consumers within the next three years or so.

We're sure some of you will be thrilled, but others are more likely to be frustrated at yet another technical standard. After moving over to LCD, then HD and Full HD, we then added built-in tuners, which now support HD. After that it was time for 3D, which started off active, but soon will support passive technology and then will work without glasses. And 4K TVs are now coming over the horizon. But that's progress, you see.

Note: the only 4K TV actually on display on Sony's stand is being used for a demo of glasses-free 3D, with no news on a 2D model. So Sony has paved the way for 4K television, but is remaining tight-lipped about when it will come, what it will look like or how much it will cost.

> CES 2011 Live from Las Vegas: See all news

> Buyer's Guides: Our Pick of The Best Products