KT launches 8K AI-powered IPTV set-top box

KT has launched the world’s first 8K AI-powered IPTV set-top box, its ‘KT Genie TV Set-Top Box 4’, marking a significant step in the evolution of AI TV. Unveiled on November 5, 2024, at the Novotel Ambassador Dongdaemun in Seoul, the new set-top box is designed to offer customers an immersive, personalized viewing experience using advanced AI technologies.

Key features of the Genie TV Set-Top Box 4 include:

• 8K Support: This set-top box is the first in the IPTV industry to support 8K resolution (7680×4320 pixels) with a UHD chipset. It optimizes the quality of content using a 50% faster CPU and AI processors (NPU) for real-time enhancement of both video and audio quality. It also supports 8K upscaling for Full HD and 4K content, ensuring ultra-high-definition viewing on both 8K and non-8K TVs.
• AI-Based Features: The set-top box includes on-device AI technology for optimal picture and sound quality adjustments. It also offers personalized features like the “AI Select” function, which helps users quickly find specific people or scenes within content, and the “AI Sign Language” feature, providing real-time sign language translation during emergency broadcasts to enhance accessibility for the hearing impaired.
• Automatic Environment Adjustment: The Android TV OS 14-based device is equipped with light sensors, four microphones, and Dolby Atmos support. It automatically adjusts screen brightness and volume based on the surrounding environment for a better viewing experience.
• Smart Home Integration: KT introduced the “AI Quick Mode,” which allows users to control smart home devices like air purifiers, air conditioners, and lights via voice commands. It also improves the process of connecting these devices to the TV, with automatic connection guidance when devices are powered on.
• AI Background and Information Display: When the TV is idle, the set-top box can transform the screen into an AI-generated background, offering weather updates, book recommendations, popular TV channels, and more. Future updates will expand the information displayed to include traffic, news, and personal schedule details.

Pricing and Promotions

The Genie TV Set-Top Box 4 is available for rental at 6,600 KRW per month (with a 3-year contract). To celebrate the launch, KT is offering a free stand to the first 10,000 customers who apply for the new box.

Future Developments

KT plans to extend the AI features of the Genie TV Set-Top Box 4 to other models by mid-2025. The company is also strengthening its media services through a strategic partnership with Microsoft, focusing on high-performance AI agents for a more interactive viewing experience.

KT aims to evolve the IPTV set-top box into an “AI hub” that connects customers with advanced AI features, positioning itself as a leader in the global media tech industry.