Since 4K TVs are now the new standard, streaming behemoths are now increasingly offering native 4K digital content to those who subscribe to them, and 8K appears to be just around the corner. Since this appears to be the new normal we must make a distinction between 2 terms that have now become synonymous: UHD (Ultra High Definition) and 4K.
Ultra HD and 4K typically appear similar to a regular viewer, but the 2 terms define two totally different types of content – even though the 2 terms are used interchangeably by manufacturers.
If you look at the numbers
When one is considering clarity, they usually pay attention to the pixel count, and the higher the pixel count is, the higher the resolution of the image is. 4K tech was initially introduced for use in digital cinemas, the places that made the spec the standard for production in cinemas with 4,096 by 2,160 pixels. 4K TVs come with the same type of resolution – which is about 4x the resolution of the 1080p standard – while Ultra High Definition has a display resolution of 3,840 by 2,160. This is a few pixels short of a true 4K display resolution, and UHD is typically rounded up and is referred to as 4K for simplicity’s sake. In reality though more detail and texture is shown in 4,096 x 2,160 display resolution than Ultra High Definition.
To be honest, getting a 4K television rather an Ultra High Definition television doesn’t really make much of a difference to someone who isn’t highly technical since they both offer a great resolution. If you want something with the highest picture clarity though, you’ll probably want to get a 4K unit as it will display all 4,096 by 2,160 pixels.
There is also a newer version of UHD that has a resolution of 7,680 by 4,320 pixels titled 8K. These models are currently kind of expensive and there isn’t a whole lot of 8K content on the market right now. You don’t have to fear though because 8K will be more readily available in the near future.
Going past resolution
Even though the screen’s resolution is one of the main specs one should consider, there are other factors that one should consider such as:
- Refresh rate
- Upscaling capabilities
- Anti-reflective properties
- The availability of content
- The brightness of the room
Upscaling
When content that is of a lower resolution than the native 4K is viewed, upscaling helps raise the resolution by optimizing and converting the content for a 4K TV. It adds pixels to the display to make it fit a 4K display.
QLED or OLED
QLED TVs have a higher brightness level and provide slightly better viewing at different angles than OLED. OLED screens provide the most true-to-life image, and often don’t work very well in brightly lit rooms (they can be suscept to screen burn).
Refresh Rate
Something else one must consider when they get a new television is the refresh rate.
The refresh rate is usually written in Hz or hertz, and is the number of times per second the television refreshes the image. Movies are usually filmed in 24 fps (frames per second, while live television will usually refresh at 30 hz (30 fps) or 60 hz. Most of the newer 4K televisions will refresh at 60 hz, and higher end and midrange models will refresh at 120 fps.
Refresh rate is most noticeable when one is watching content with quick movement, lots of action, or sports. And gamers who are using the newest consoles will need a higher refresh rate to improve the experience.
While it seems counterintuitive, 1080p televisions with refresh rates of 60 hz, will look better than 4K televisions with refresh rates of 30 Hz. Making refresh rate a vital spec for anyone purchasing a new television .
Side note: To use a 120 fps television, one must have access to at least 1 HDMI 2.1 port for teh device that will be connected to it.