The Merits of 4K

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What is 4K?

You’ve probably heard the buzzword 4K but do you really know what it means?  4K means 4 times the resolution of 1080p, better known as HD (high definition).  That means 4096 pixels by 2160 pixels.  You may have also heard the term UHD, or Ultra High Definition.  Both 4K and UHD are synonymous with the latest high definition video standard.  Little known to the public, there is a slight difference in resolution between 4K and UHD, with 4K being slightly higher resolution, but you will often hear the terms being used interchangeably.

With 4K, the viewer experiences life-like images that immerse you in an exhilarating video experience.  It brings the fantasy of television and movies closer to you while delivering the crispest, cleanest picture possible.

So is 4K just a hype, like 3D was? 

The manufacturers certainly don’t think so as they are all heading to this new format, just as the switch was made to HD.   At the latest Consumer Electronics Show (CES), not one major TV manufacturer announced new 1080p televisions for the coming year.

While some would argue that the difference between 1080p and 4K is not easily discernible by the human eye, it largely depends on the screen size and the viewing distance.  The larger the screen, the more noticeable the higher resolution becomes.

Even if you buy into the whole idea that you don’t need the better resolution of 4K, the newest television sets (which are all 4K) come with a lot of new features that can greatly affect the picture quality. 

Let’s discuss picture quality for a moment. 

Many experts in the industry agree that contrast ratio is the most important aspect of picture quality.  Can the display achieve the darkest blacks and the brightest whites similar to what the human eye can interpret in real-life?  Other important components of picture quality are the color saturation and accuracy and the resolution or detail of the images.

There are several technologies coming to market this year aimed at improving those aspects of picture quality that are truly impressive:

  • High Dynamic Range (HDR)—By utilizing HDR technology, the TV is able to use a wider range of light and color to create darker blacks and brighter whites that creates a better life-like image for the viewer at a significantly higher contrast ratio than previously available.

  • Local dimming—This picture enhancement quality has been around for awhile and uses a backlighting technology so that portions of the screen are dimmed while others are brightened to improve the perceived contrast.
  • Quantum dots—Officially they are known as “semiconductor nanocrystal technology” that are used to help create more light and thus produce a brighter, more vivid and more accurate color similar to what the human eye sees.  It also increases the color depth.  Several manufacturers claim that it boosts a TV’s color accuracy by 30%.  (Keep in mind that various manufactures have their own proprietary names for this technology, such as Samsung’s SUHD and Sony’s Triluminos labels.)

The degree to how well each display can implement these technologies varies of course by manufacturer and even TV models.  That’s why you should consult a specialist, like Annapolis Home Automation, to help you find the best picture quality for your budget.

Now that I have a 4K TV, what can I do with it?

As technologies evolve, there are many competing manufacturers trying to bring their technologies to market first.  This can result in not only compatibility issues but also leaves the consumer confused (remember the debate between VHS and Beta?)  Fortunately, companies like TV manufacturers Sony and Panasonic and media giants like Disney and Netflix have joined together to form the UHD Alliance, which aims to standardize the 4K content field, as well as other technologies such as HDR.  Their goal is also to encourage the creation of high quality 4K content and ultimately get it into the hands of the consumer quicker.

The biggest argument against 4K TVs right now is the lack of content.  However, there are several ways to get it.

  • The best option available today is the Sony 4K Media Server FMPX10 which sells for $699 and allows you to stream Netflix and Amazon video in 4K along with downloading movies via Sony’s server in true 4K.  Sony releases new titles daily, which can be bought or rented.
  • Streaming 4K content is already available from service providers such as Netflix, Sony Video Unlimited, and Amazon.  DirecTV streaming should be released this year as well.
  • 4K Blu-ray discs, called Ultra HD Blu-ray, are expected to hit the market by late 2015.

The true revolution for 4K will be in streaming as consumers continue to change the way they want to view movies and shows.  In the meantime, many 4K televisions will upscale your current content to make it look better than ever!

What does all this mean for you, as the consumer?

With the push for 4K becoming greater, consumers will see prices on 4K TVs continuing to drop and more hardware coming to the market.   It also means that manufacturers are reserving their best technologies like quantum dots and HDR for their high-end models which are 4K TVs.   To get the newest, best features, you will need to go with a 4K TV.   The true benefit of a 4K TV just may be the enhancement to picture quality features that it has, not just the higher resolution.

With these rapidly developing technologies, comes an exciting world of unbelievably realistic viewing!  Even if this isn’t the best time for you to buy a TV, you should definitely consider the benefits of a 4K TV and keep it in mind for the future.