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Thales introduces technology to enable 4K UHD IFE content

According to the company, Emirates’ passengers travelling on the future 777X fleet will be first to have a 4K viewing experience.

Thales has recently introduced security and encoding technologies for its 4K inflight entertainment (IFE) systems to enable streaming of premium Ultra High Definition (UHD) content.

Thales will be the first IFE supplier to deliver 4K screens to the full cabin and its latest technologies guarantee 4K inflight entertainment experience on the market. As the launch customer, Emirates’ passengers travelling on their future 777X fleet starting in 2020; will get a 4K viewing experience.

Powered by processing capability, Thales’s new 4K passenger GUI promises to bring an impressive cinematic intensity on every screen.

According to the company, the solution complies with the Studios highest security level standards using Digital Rights Management (DRM) and hardware level encryption within each screen. This technology combines software and hardware components representing a forward-looking investment and opening the gateway to access premium UHD content in the cabin.

Thales has worked with Hollywood movie studios to define and implement the optimum bit rates to display 4K content in an IFE environment, the company said in a statement. The solution uses Variable Bit Rates (VBR) encoding technology with bit rates up to 40+ Megabits per second (Mbps) providing video quality that promises to be 10 times better than traditional IFE systems and streaming platforms.