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Sony to show 2014 World Cup final live in 4K Ultra HD in London

Sony will broadcast the 2014 World Cup final in 4K Ultra HD live at the Vue cinema in Westfield White City, London. 

Along with the closing game of the tournament on July 13, football fans will also be able to watch a quarter final in 4K on July 4. 

While tickets will be limited, Sony and Vue are planning to release tickets to few lucky football fans and details of how you can get them will be released shortly. 

Sony's F-55 cameras are being used to film a selection of World Cup 2014 games in 4K
Sony’s F-55 cameras are being used to film a selection of World Cup 2014 games in 4K

The two matches will be streamed live via satellite from the Maracana stadium in Brazil direct to the cinema. A small number of games are being filmed – but not publicly broadcast – in 4K, the next generation of high definition. 

David Bush, head of Marketing and Business Development at Sony Professional Solutions Europe said: “These live 4K screenings mean we’re able to bring an entirely new viewing experience to the world of football. 

“Sony is providing all 4K cameras and other production technology for the FIFA World Cup broadcast production. We are also in the unique position of being able to offer not only production equipment but also 4K BRAVIA TVs in consumers’ homes and 4K projectors in cinemas. The confirmation of these live transmissions to cinema represent another trail-blazing example of Sony’s end-to-end leadership in 4K.” 

Sony has already shot one match – Columbia vs Uruguay – in 4K. Sadly for viewers at home, by the time 4K Ultra HD standards are defined the World Cup will be long finished. Even if you shelled out for a 4K TV now, you aren’t going to be able to watch this World Cup in 4K at home. 

The BBC is currently running tests of live World Cup 2014 feeds to see how live 4K TV could when broadcast on Freeview signals and streamed via broadband. Even though the BBC will be giving viewers in Glasgow a taste of live 4K with its Commonwealth Games coverage, it’s not currently planning to publicly show off any World Cup broadcasts. 

Getting hold of a ticket to these events will be your only chance of watching any live World Cup 2014 action in 4K. 

The games will be shown in 4K Ultra HD – four times the details of Full HD – at 60fps (frames per second). Recombu has been lucky enough to witness some 4K test footage at 50fps. You can read our first impressions of the footage here.   

Image: Sony

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