KCTV’s slow move to high-definition, what’s taking so long?

Korean Central Television HDKorean Central Television high-definition image

There was a little bit of excitement among North Korea watchers, myself included, earlier this year when the state TV broadcaster, Korean Central Television, took its first step towards high-definition broadcasting.

It was signaled by a switch in satellite transmission formats that increased the available screen resolution by more than five times, from just over 414,000 pixels to more than 2 million pixels.

That’s a big deal because getting information out of North Korea is difficult. Sharper, clearer pictures provide a look at North Korea that’s literally much more detailed. It will be easier to see the faces of officials several steps behind Kim Jong Un, the writing on posters and signs on walls and the daily changes taking place in Pyongyang.

To get an idea of the difference, take a look at these images. First the conventional standard definition image:

Korean Central Television announcer

Korean Central Television standard-definition image

And here’s the high-definition image. You can click on each picture to see them at maximum resolution to fully appreciate the difference.

Korean Central Television HD announcer

Korean Central Television high-definition image

But since the switch to an HD-capable satellite channel in January, high-definition is only being used for a fraction of the broadcast day.

The only thing seen so far in high definition so far has been the shot, shown above, of the state TV anchor in the studio. This usually appears twice a day, once just after the start of programming and once at the end of the day. All other programming, including the key evening news, is still being broadcast in standard definition.

Notably, coverage of Kim Jong Un’s work now looks like this, a widescreen picture crammed into a standard definition frame:

Kim Jong Un Korean Central Television

Pictures of Kim Jong Un are being shot in high-definition widescreen, but currently being aired within a standard definition window.

That indicates that high-definition cameras are probably being used to cover Kim’s activities — a natural choice for the broadcaster — but the production workflow is still all based on SD signals.

So why is the announcer in high-definition?

My theory is that it’s probably the only live programming seen each day, and in technical terms it’s easy for KCTV to take that live signal and put it straight on air.

The only other thing worth noting is that it’s unclear how much of this is available inside North Korea in high definition. A North Korean magazine made a mention of digital television tests in March 2013, but since then there has been nothing else reported. The vast majority of homes with televisions will have older analog sets, so KCTV will be serving those viewers for many years to come.

Here’s a recording of the closedown sequence from the Thaicom satellite signal. Thanks to Jaffar al-Majmuni for recording and supplying the footage. After the program guide, you’ll see the high-definition pictures before a return to the national anthem in standard definition. Be sure to switch the YouTube resolution to 1080P to see it at full quality.

(The audio momentarily drops for a few seconds, but soon comes back.)

5 Comments on "KCTV’s slow move to high-definition, what’s taking so long?"

  1. I have found a working live stream for the North Korean Central Television http://121.167.43.161:50000/chosun open it with VLC media player or visit this website [link removed]

  2. Don’t click onto the link provided in the other post from “Guest.” When I did so, my browser warned me about complaints of malware, and a file tried to download itself without my permission. Don’t make my mistake, folks.

  3. Thi is the same link I usually open to watch KTCV but it doesn’t work today. Usually working good, but not today. Will be trying again tomorrow.
    I noticed a quite incredible thing a couple of days ago on KCTV: a Western film (maybe German?). Dubbed in Korean but with original audio feebly present. Anyone knows if they are used to air any Western thing? Or was this an extraordinary event?

    • Sometimes KCTV actually airs foreign films, mostly Chinese and Soviet ones. I actually remember watching there a Soviet TV series “17 Spring Moments” about a Soviet spy in Nazi Germany. That film you have mentioned earlier could have been from East Germany. There’s also rumours that on other channels they air American cartoons.

    • Not working today either, at least when using VLC.

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