Amazon will begin shooting all of its original TV shows in 4K, otherwise known as Ultra HD, in 2014. The company plans to release 11 pilot episodes early next year, including Mozart in the Jungle, The After and Bosch, and those that are green-lighted for a full series will then be shot in the new high-resolution format. New pilots will also be shot in 4K, starting in January.
Neither Amazon Instant Video or LOVEFiLM, the company’s on-demand streaming service for the UK and Germany, support 4K streaming at the moment. It’s not clear whether Amazon is switching to 4K because it plans to introduce the option for its subscribers next year, or if it’s simply a means of future-proofing its original content.
It’s also worth noting that Netflix, which runs a competing service with its own original TV shows, is currently testing 4K video streams.
Regardless, pixel junkies should welcome the introduction of 4K original content from Amazon. Even if they don’t have an Internet connection that’s strong enough to support 4K streaming, new and existing subscribers will likely be able to watch them in a lower resolution, or buy them in a physical format further down the road.
➤ Amazon Studios to Shoot 2014 Original Drama and Comedy Series in 4K [Press Release]
Image Credit: EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
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