Telepresence and immersion with high-definition digital displays: Background and future directions for research

As Ultra-High-Definition Televisions (UHDTVs) increase in size and screen resolution, viewers may choose to sit closer to them for a greater sense of immersion in programme or game content. The article reviews the evolution of the immersive aspects of widescreen motion picture formats such as Cinerama and IMAX and their influence on widescreen television displays. Potential areas for future research in telepresence and immersion are suggested with the advent of 4K and 8K UHDTVs and the development of ultra-wide-angle digital Head-Mounted Displays (HMD). Producers of widescreen motion pictures, television programmes and video games are creating content with the goal of increasing viewer immersion – and digital display technologies are evolving to replicate the theatrical motion picture experience in the home. Future research will be required to study the positive and negative immersive effects of these technologies as they are adopted by consumers.