Korea Telecom (KT) has unveiled what it claims is the world's first IPTV set-top box supporting 8K resolution with on-device AI. To provide customers with a more vivid and immersive personalised viewing experience, KT introduced the latest AI technology in the "Genie TV Set-Top Box 4," allowing for automatic adjustments to TV picture quality, screen brightness, and sound to create an immersive viewing environment.
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8K UHD Chipset and AI-Driven Image Quality
KT said it installed an 8K (7680x4320, 33 million pixels) UHD chipset in the IPTV set-top box, offering an optimal experience by quickly optimising image quality and sound through a CPU with 50 percent improved performance and an AI-only processor (NPU, neural network processing device), which learns from customer viewing data.
Additionally, through on-device AI-based 8K upscaling technology, existing Full HD and 4K content can be enjoyed in ultra-high quality, including real-time broadcasts, OTT content, and YouTube. KT added that even if users do not have an 8K TV, AI image quality optimisation technology can achieve the best image quality according to the TV's specifications.
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Immersive Viewing Experience with Environment Detection
KT also installed a light sensor, four microphones, Android TV OS 14, and Dolby Atmos on the Genie TV Set-Top Box 4 to enhance the viewing environment. This technology detects the surrounding environment and automatically adjusts the screen brightness and volume, it said.
For example, the Genie TV Set-Top Box 4 brightens the TV screen in bright surroundings and dims it in darker conditions. If there is noise, such as from a washing machine or vacuum cleaner, the box will increase the TV's volume. It provides optimised sound according to content genres—such as movies, dramas, news, music, games, and sports—while the "voice emphasis" function ensures that dialogue can be heard more clearly.
Furthermore, KT claims it is the first to install an illumination sensor on a set-top box and also provides a storage detection function. The Genie TV Set-Top Box 4 learns the customer's media usage patterns and automatically turns on the TV when a person approaches during peak usage times, offering immediate viewing convenience.
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Partnership with Microsoft for an AI Agent
In partnership with Microsoft, KT will introduce an AI agent specialised for Genie TV to help users quickly access the information they need through natural conversations while watching TV.
Kim Hoon-bae, executive director of the KT Media Platform Business Division, said, "KT will evolve the IPTV set-top box into an 'AI hub' that connects customers and AI." He added, "In the future, in cooperation with global tech giants, we aim to elevate the media experience for the Korean people to a global standard."
KT has innovated the overall media operation process, from original content investment to processing, production, and monitoring, achieving significant results in AI conversion (AX). The company said it operates the entire process efficiently by utilising technologies such as AI-based box office prediction, a magic platform, AI object books, AI travel views, and Genie, until the content is delivered to IPTV.
