Even as Quantel said it was shipping its first 8K finishing system, Quantel and Snell released results from an international survey indicating that transitions to next-generation technology like 4K and video-over-IP are expected to happen slowly.

Of more than 1,000 respondents, only 34 percent described 4K as "relevant now." The largest portion (60%) said 4K would become relevant "only in the future," while some 6% said they didn't think it would ever become relevant in their operations.

Of those who said 4K would be relevant only in the future, a majority of 62 percent said it would take more than two years for 4K to become relevant. Smaller numbers expected 4K to gain relevancy in two years (24%) or one year (14%). And one in five respondents believe it will take more than five years for 4K to become relevant to their business.

The prognosis was similar for IP video. Asked when SDI routers will be "completely replaced" by IP, 64% said it will happen within five years (including a cutting-edge 3% who said it will happen "immediately"). But that leaves a not-insignificant 36% of respondents saying they expect the changeover to happen only "within 10 years" (27%) or "never" (9%).

The survey also pitted high frame rate (HFR) and high dynamic range (HDR) technologies against each other, asking respondents which one would "bring most economic benefit" to their businesses. HDR won that bout by a margin of 2:1.

"The results of our survey will go a long way to dispelling the myths and claims around IP and 4K," said Quantel and Snell CEO Tim Thorsteinson in a prepared statement. "It clearly shows that broadcasters see these as key future concerns, but for the vast majority a full-on infrastructure lift-out and replacement with IP and 4K is not going to happen any time soon."

Why are Quantel and Snell publishing these results? The companies are positioning themselves as voices of reason in a sea of hype, promising "future-flexible solutions" that prepare customers for these transitions without forcing them.