4K Casinos

4K or Ultra HD is the next step in resolution for electronics devices. Whether it is TVs, PCs, tablets, smartphones or even projectors, vendors are developing more 4K devices to add to their arsenal of products and software developers are following in suite. From a vendor’s perspective, 4K means a new wave of demand for devices while 4K content is a way to bring new user enjoyment and experience to shows, games and other viewing platforms. Both content and devices typically grow go hand in hand in the market, but with industry news spiking interest in devices these days, how has this trend evolved in terms of content, particularly for the gamer that wants to take online casino playing to the next level?

We all hear about new devices entering the market that support 4K but we have heard a more dismal portray of content developments due to complications in either converting content resolution or switching to new devices that film, design or create 4K content largely as a result of high costs and limited demand in the market. So far in 2015 we have seen TV shows move to 4K and many movies are now being shot in the format, set to be released in 2016. The market is growing and despite an overall limited 4K content market in 2015, casino enthusiasts are lucky there is one casino beginning to piece together new games that are Ultra HD compatible set to be released throughout 2015 into 2016 – Royal Vegas.

Royal Vegas has been an established casino since the early 2000s when it also received international certification from the Gaming Authority of Malta. Since then it has been its own authority in developing high-quality casino games ranging from an assortment of slots, blackjack and even new bingo games for real money. The casino’s live dealer has been a popular form of gambling, bringing the real-life experience to one’s PC device, and is well known for having some of the largest payouts in the industry.

When speaking with customer service at the casino’s online 24/7 platform, we here at Real Money Gambling found the casino is in fact developing a whole new range of solutions to meet new trends in the market ranging from compatibility for new smart devices to different content formatting support. While we were not told details on the specifics, we guess that Royal Vegas will release a new lineup of games either originally designed in 4K resolution or work with developers to convert Full HD content into 4K content, much like many other software developers have done for already existing programs in the industry.

Waiting for Royal Vegas to release its new software may not be the only solution. There are a number of methods for converting HD and Full HD content into 4K, as outlined by several blogs that have researched this topic in depth. It is a pity that more vendors in the TV and smartphone segments have not taken a more proactive stance in promoting this in order to boost visibility for the 4K market but at least there are some sources pointing toward a solution for PC devices and smart TVs. Once converted through free software that compresses data and retransmits it into a signal to reach Ultra HD, players can go about as they wish and play 4K gams including casinos on their device provided it is equipped with 4K support.

4K Developments

4K means a device has horizontal resolution of 4,000 pixels. The technology first sprouted back in the early 2000s but became popularized when the first displays supporting 4K entered production back in 2012. Back then the displays had low production yield rates and were only being produced n limited quantities for specialized niches in the film and TV industries. As of 2015, supply chain makers out of Taiwan, Japan, China and Korea have worked to drop production costs for the technology and have since increased yields to that of Full HD, bringing the pricing down for Ultra HD TVs drastically.

In 2014 into 2015 the industry saw a big push from monitor vendors who aimed to release new units geared toward high-end gaming experiences extending into shooting games and online casino action. These vendors saw 4K TV costs coming down and the amount of compatible content rising, and hence boasted efforts to promote new products marketed as a type of alternative and experiential gaming experience.

In 2016 the industry is expected to see the rise of 4K smartphones and tablets, which will spur a new wave of mobile device demand and relevant content, hence the push from content makers such as Royal Vegas to meet new and potential business opportunities. Panel makers previously allocated all their efforts to the production of larger-size 4K displays as part of their strategy to keep profit margins high but now that display production is ample there will be enough capacity for other devices.

Overall, 2016 will be a major year for the online world to reshape its content, push new solutions and create new opportunities extending into the casino world and beyond. Initially we will see devices pushing 4K content but we expect in the future it will be the other way around.