Sharp, sharper, 4K: the new image standard conjures up four times as many pixels on the screen as the HD standard. This guide tells you whether it makes sense to migrate to the new standard and what needs to be taken into account when doing so.
I see in HD — what a feast for the eyes it was a few years ago when the first high-resolution films and TV shows were broadcast. Now HD, with its 1920 x 1080 pixels, has become the established standard and almost every household has a HD flat-screen TV. However, as is the case in the fast-paced world of technology: Its successor is already hot on its heels, and it provides far better image quality than HDTV.
4K comes up trumps with 8 million pixels
There are several names for this successor: 4K, Ultra HD and UHDTV. The term 4K is rather catchy — the new standard is ultimately bringing four times the amount of pixels to the screen. There are 8 million pixels instead of the 2 million with full HD. Resolution is 3840 x 2160 pixels. This is an advance in terms of quality, like when we switched from “normal” TV (SD) to full HD.
But we are still missing 4K content
A further parallel: Like when HD was introduced, there are already a large number of TVs offering the new technology, but almost no content has been produced in super-high resolution. Although public and large private broadcasters have shown an interest in the new technology, it remains to be seen when they will be broadcasting at least some of their programmes in 4K.
Some streaming providers such as Netflix and Amazon are already showing series and films in 4K, but the choice is still limited. The first 4K films will appear on Blu-ray disc this year, but don’t be blind-sided by the label “4K mastered”.
Blu-rays labelled in this way do not provide full 4K resolution, but rather have been scaled down to full HD.
Up-scaling provides an improved image
Anyone buying a 4K TV still benefits from enhanced image quality. The devices up-scale the image material to ultra HD resolution. This applies to TV programmes and Blu-rays that you watch on the box. This up-scaling allows 4K TVs to generally perform well, but we should not expect miracles.
The projected image is clearer and cleaner but you cannot see any more detail.
Anyone wanting to buy a 4K TV needs to take a tape measure with them. The devices are comparatively large. Most manufacturers offer models with a screen measuring 43 inches (108 cm) diagonally-across. A device like this can easily dominate a small room from a visual point of view.
This means that you can sit closer to 4K devices than you can to HD devices. You should sit around two metres away from an ultra HD TV. We recommend a distance of about four metres for large HD TVs.
What technical details should you look out for
Very important when purchasing a 4K TV: The device should have a HDMI 2.0 port in order to be fully future-proofed. HDMI 2.0 is able to transmit enormous quantities of data of the 4K image material.
The TV can subsequently be connected to external 4K-ready devices such as set-top boxes, media players and Blu-ray players via the HDMI 2.0 port. Also important: The TV should support HDCP 2.2 copy protection, which is used to encrypt the 4K content.
If you would like to receive 4K programmes from streaming providers, you’ll also need a TV that can process the H.265 video standard.
4K TVs are still relatively expensive
Before purchasing a 4K TV you should also bear in mind that: The devices are still relatively expensive.
You will have to cough up at least 1000 euro to call one of the new 4K devices your own, such as the Samsung models UE55JU6450 and UE48JU6550.
Image sources
Fotolia / 98512104 / rommma
