Live From CES: Panasonic Intros Single-Cable Transmission of 8K

Panasonic hit CES with some true next-generation news. The company says it has developed a single-cable-and-connector solution that can transport uncompressed full-spec 8K video signals, thanks to a newly developed connector-equipped cable that uses plastic-optical-fiber technology.

Panasonic has introduced a single-cable solution for 8K-signal transport.

Working with KAI Photonics, a venture of Japan’s Keio University, Panasonic developed connector-equipped cables that apply its technology for the multi-level modulation of broadband signals. A transmission bandwidth exceeding 100 Gbps was achieved with a single cable.

Professor Yasuhiro Koike, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, observed, “I am delighted that Panasonic successfully developed a prototype cable for transmitting 8K images based on plastic optical fiber and its connection technology using ballpoint-pen–type interconnect, which was developed by Keio University. We would like to further cooperate with Panasonic to respond to the variety of needs for audiovisual transmission.”

Anticipating the spread of the corporate use of 8K devices in the B2B market, Panasonic aims to make this innovative connector-cable technology an international standard.

Technologies related to this proto model will be exhibited at the Panasonic booth at CES 2016.