4K Fine Remaster Engine

Can you tell us about some unique Panasonic innovations?

Sakaguchi: Well, we used the example-based method to achieve our main goal, which was upconverting 2K Blu-ray Disc images to 4K images. Putting it simply, we gathered a large amount of data samples in order to complement the parts of the original image that were incomplete, then we compiled them into a database, and at the same time, we enhanced the technology so it would efficiently and instantly retrieve the best possible samples from the database. The 4K Fine Remaster Engine does this all by itself. We also reworked the tuning process leading up to the finished image, over and over again, until we were satisfied with the end result.

Takita: The thing that determines whether the example-based method can achieve an excellent effect or not is the amount and quality of the database. The more data the database contains, the greater the super resolution effect.

But it must be pretty difficult to build an unlimited database into a TV.

Yamamoto: That's right. The fact that there's a limit to the price that a customer is going to accept when buying a TV is a critical point in developing a home-use TV. On the other hand, TVs are used all over the world. It's important to create a library (a database) that'll be capable of achieving the super resolution effect, without noticeable gaps, for the kinds of images that people will come across anywhere in the world. Naturally, we don't want to compromise on image quality. So we worked hard to keep that balance.

Takita: Initially, in the research stage, we were collecting tens of millions of images from the world's unlimited image sources and using them to compile a database. Deciding how to make that database practical was our starting point. Then, limiting it to a TV for home use, we started selecting data from the viewpoint of, "what kind of images are most customers going to watch?" This led us to create categories using statistical methods. By adding a number of filters, we were able to focus on what was really needed. This selection part of the process turned out to be very time-consuming, though. It was a very difficult job.

Sakaguchi: After that, in view of the visual features, we started emphasizing some of the factors that would help us to verify the imaging, such as the diagonal and curved lines that tend to stand out in an image. Once we got past that point, we got into the area where we were relying on our intuition as engineers. As a result of this narrowing-down process, we finally reached the level of 100,000 image patterns that we had set as our goal. Since we didn't want to compromise on image quality, though, we were still a little bit greedy, and ended up with 120,000 patterns in all.

It must have been tough to watch the same scene so many times.

Ishikawa: Yes, it was. In order to understand the changes before and after adjustment, we had to keep watching the same scene until we literally lost count. Some people would be watching it without knowing anything about the other parts of the movie, and without ever hearing the soundtrack. At any rate, we didn't have the time to relax and enjoy the movie. The whole team had to stay focused on our goal of creating the ideal 4K image quality as we made adjustment after adjustment. As a result, though, we ended up with images that even the engineers were satisfied with, as evidenced by their sighs of approval. Thinking back on it now, those were really good moments. Oh, and I also got them to let me use some images of my favorite supercars for quality checking. (Laughs) As an engineer, my main goal is to achieve the best image quality for all the different kinds of scenes and sources, but I have to admit it was a lot of fun to be able to check the images using the supercars that I love so much. And the power, the dynamism, was so different than on an ordinary TV. I hope everyone who has that kind of love for images will try out our 4K TV!

What kind of images do you want the people who buy a Panasonic 4K TV to watch?

Sakaguchi: Personally, I like science-fiction movies that use a lot of computer graphics, so I'd love to have people watch Blu-ray Disc computer graphics where the definition has been raised to super resolution. That's one kind of image I hope people will check out.

Takita: I definitely want people to watch some of the animation that's popular now both in Japan and overseas.

Yamamoto: I want people to watch images of buildings and natural landscapes around the world, like the ones you often see in travelogues. I want them to see the outstanding definition and real-life effects that 4K gives you in both close-up and distant views.

Ishikawa: Naturally, our concept is to make every kind of image stunningly beautiful, but I think that people will be able to recognize the emotional impact of 4K best from the newest, most beautiful Blu-ray Disc images.