Korea has started broadcasting in ultra high-definition (HD) through ultra HD cable TV channel U-max.
The ultra HD format has a resolution of at least 3840x2160, and boasts a maximum of 22.2 channels of quality sound.
Minister of Science, ICT & Future Planning Choi Mun-Kee was quoted in a report in Korea.net that the test broadcast was the first time worldwide for the new format.
"This will affect related areas, including electronics and equipment makers, as well as the content industry," he said.
The report said U-max intends to secure 200 hours of ultra HD programs this year and invest KRW40 billion ($38.4 million) into obtaining more ultra HD content by 2016. But the cable TV industry as a whole also plans to invest an additional KRW650 billion ($624.2 billion) to build related infrastructure by 2017.