Comcast has announced plans to introduce an Ultra HD set-top box later this year, called the Xi4. Comcast previously had an exclusive deal with Samsung, offering the Xfinity in UHD catalog directly to Comcast customers via 2014 Samsung UHD TVs. Now this catalog will be available to anyone who uses the new Comcast box--mated with a UHD TV, of course. Comcast has also announced that next year's Xi5 set-top box will support High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology.
From Comcast
Comcast has announced that it will launch a 4K ultra high-definition (UHD) set-top box later this year as it brings the Xfinity in UHD catalog to the X1 platform. The new X1 set-top box, the Xi4, will deliver Xfinity TV customers 4K UHD content--four times the resolution of high-definition--directly to the television, enabling X1 customers to enjoy unlimited virtual 4K linear channels by creating personalized playlists from the Xfinity in UHD library. Customers will also enjoy high dynamic range (HDR) programming--increased color, contrast and brightness--with the launch of a new HDR set-top box, the Xi5, next year.
Comcast will add hundreds of titles to the Xfinity in UHD catalog and library, including films originally produced for IMAX and other Giant Screen Theaters from K2 Communications and Havoc TV like The Ultimate Wave Tahiti, Antarctica, Rocky Mountain Express, Fighter Pilot and Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia. Full current seasons of hit TV shows such as Syfy's Defiance; USA's Playing House, Satisfaction and Suits; and original programming from STARZ including Outlander and Power will also be included.
Initially launched last year on 2014 Samsung UHD TVs, Xfinity in UHD offers one of the biggest and best 4K libraries available today, providing Xfinity TV customers with on demand access to full current seasons of some of the season's hottest shows, Giant Screen films and more at no additional cost.
Additional Resources
• DirecTV Now Offering 4K VOD at HomeTheaterReview.com.
• Verizon Adds Scaled-Down Customizable FiOS Package at HomeTheaterReview.com.
