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Amazon, Netflix sharpen 4K focus

With 2014 touted as 4K’s “breakthrough year”, Amazon and Netflix have revealed a number of high-profile partnerships designed to bring Ultra HD viewing to the masses.

Amazon yesterday announced deals with electronics giant Samsung, as well Hollywood studios such as Warner Bros, Lionsgate, 20th Century Fox and Discovery, to offer content in 4K.

“2014 will be a breakthrough year for Ultra HD and it is important to deliver on not only the top-of-the-line products but also great content to fully enjoy the benefits of Ultra HD,” said Samsung Electronics’ Kyungshik Lee.

Amazon Studios, the online retailer’s production arm, last year pledged to produce all its original series during 2014 in 4K.

Likewise, Netflix has confirmed all future original productions – including the second season of House of Cards – will be available to stream in 4K, as well as announcing deals to make its 4K content available via Samsung, LG and Sony televisions.

4K is the latest and most advanced in high definition video, displaying content in four times the number of pixels as standard full HD, though Toshiba and LG are showing off ‘5K’ at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week.

In related news, US internet TV firm Roku used the event to announce the integration of its software directly into smart TVs for the first time.

The company has partnered with TV manufacturers TCL and Hisense to build and distribute a line of Roku TV models. The new models are expected to be available for purchase this fall from retailers in the US and Canada.

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