SEOUL (ANN/KOREA HERALD) – South Korean telecom giant KT Corp. on Tuesday introduced the world’s first IPTV set-top box featuring built-in artificial intelligence (AI) and 8K resolution capabilities, marking a significant leap in digital home entertainment technology.
The newly launched “Genie TV Set-Top Box 4” is the first of its kind worldwide, equipped with an 8K UHD chipset that delivers visuals with four times the resolution of 4K UHD and 16 times that of standard full HD.
Speaking at a press briefing in Seoul, Kim Hoon-bae, Executive Vice President of KT’s media platform business, highlighted the device’s advanced AI functionalities, stating, “With a 50 per cent boost in CPU performance and a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), it optimises both image and audio quality, creating a highly personalised viewing experience based on user preferences.”
The set-top box is designed to enhance convenience and adaptability within smart home settings. It automatically adjusts screen brightness to improve viewing in any lighting condition, reducing the need for blackout curtains. The device also detects when users arrive home, automatically switching on the TV to display their preferred channels.
Additionally, the Genie TV 4 offers optimised audio settings for various genres, including movies, dramas, sports, and music, and a voice emphasis feature that enhances dialogue clarity. For a more customised experience, users can access selective viewing features that allow them to locate scenes featuring their favorite actors or musicians.
Notably, the device also provides a real-time AI sign language function during emergency broadcasts, enhancing accessibility. When idle, the AI background screen offers practical information such as weather updates and book recommendations.
In smart home environments, the set-top box’s “AI quick viewing mode” enables voice control of registered electronic devices, enhancing connectivity and ease of use within the home.
The device’s AI-powered 8K upscaling technology also ensures that content—whether broadcast, over-the-top streaming, or YouTube—can be viewed in ultra-high-definition, even if the original source is in lower resolutions like full HD or 4K.
Looking ahead, Kim revealed that KT plans to further enhance Genie TV’s capabilities with a powerful AI agent in 2025, following a strategic partnership with Microsoft established in September. “Our goal is to make the IPTV set-top box a central AI hub for seamless connectivity,” Kim said, noting that future AI solutions will be developed in collaboration with Microsoft and other major tech partners.
