The TV technology industry is constantly evolving. New technologies are emerging that improve the viewing experience. Today, users have little understanding of the features of 4K and UHD TVs. What is this?
This is exactly what we will talk about now. Let's study the features of this format in detail. Let's look at how it differs from other standards. Let's analyze whether it's worth spending money on buying a TV with 4K support.
What does 4K mean on TV?
Commercial names are accepted for 5 television resolutions:
- High Definition (HD or 720p) – 1280 x 720.
- Full HD (1080p) – 1920 x 1080, the most popular TV format.
- Ultra HD (2160p) – 3840 x 2160, used on modern TVs;
- 4K UHD, full frame – 4096 x 3072, academic – 3656 x 2664, widescreen – 4096 x 1716, DCI Standard – 4096 x 2160, boxed – 3996 x 2160;
- 8K – 8400 x 3600, 7680 x 4320, 8192 x 4320, 10000 x 3600, 8192 x 5120, 8192 x 8192.
You can evaluate the progress of modern TV resolutions by watching the video
High definition television standards such as 4K or UHD are approved by special organizations in Europe or the USA.
In the technology market, the HD standard is secretly considered 1K, and Full HD – 2K.
Statistically, 4K is still inferior to Full HD technology in prevalence among the general population of the CIS countries. But the cost of TVs with a resolution of 4000 pixels on the long side is regularly decreasing and becoming more competitive.
Just because a TV supports 4K doesn't always mean it will produce high-quality video without additional hardware. The first models of such TVs could only work in tandem with a video player, signal receiver or SMART set-top box. Such television screens are not able to decipher modern codecs on their own. In fact, at first, buyers purchased TVs with 4K monitor functionality.
In addition to a fixed resolution, 4K assumes a frame refresh rate of 60 Hz and an aspect ratio of 16:9. For full-frame execution, a 4:3 ratio is provided, but this configuration is much more expensive - it is more often used in cinema.
Modern 4K is supported by different types of displays:
- OLED – screens based on organic light-emitting diodes. This implementation does not require a backlight; each diode emits itself when current passes through it. The technology is characterized by small dimensions, high brightness, saturation, wide horizontal viewing angle, and energy efficiency. A significant drawback is the fragility of the materials.
- QLED is a development in which the South Korean corporation Samsung had a hand. QLED is called a quantum dot display and uses liquid crystals with LED backlighting. Nanoparticles change color when interacting with current, due to this a new picture appears. The main advantage of such displays is a very wide color range. The size of one point is 2-10 nm. Some experts consider QLED to be just a commercial move.
- IPS - classic liquid crystal technology is characterized by low price, good image transmission and reliability. Based on IPS, many subtypes have been created, such as LCD, LTPS, PLS, SFT. In-Plane Switching screens respond to the need for changes within 5-8 ms; in this indicator, displays are inferior not only to LED competitors.
- TN is another option based on liquid crystals. TN stands for Twisted Nematic. The essence of the technology is to twist crystalline molecules into a spiral to change the light flux that goes to the filters. This solution does not provide a large dynamic range or contrasting colors. The viewing angle of the displays also suffers. Among the advantages of TN are ease of implementation, low power consumption and fast response.
Modern 4K set-top boxes and TVs adapt videos or low-quality images automatically. The system tries to bring the image to a resolution of 3.5-4 thousand pixels on the long side. Thanks to this feature, even old movies can be watched in improved quality.
It is important to know
The resolution format completely determines the quality of the picture and the number of pixels (dots) from which it is composed.
The more pixels and higher image quality, the better:
- Within the same screen, higher resolution content will appear more detailed;
- Such pictures can be displayed on very large screens without the risk of loss of quality.
With the development of digital technology, it became possible to compress a video file into binary code. As a result, the volume of data has decreased and it has become possible to transmit content in higher definition.
Initially, the first format was SD/HD with a resolution of 720x576. With the development of both the signal encoding itself and the means of data transmission, new formats with higher definition appeared.
The table below clearly shows the quality of various HD formats using a picture as an example.
| SD | 720x480 and below |
| HD | 1280x720, 1440x1080 |
| Full-HD | 1920x1080 |
| Ultra-HD | 3840x2160 |
| 4K, DCI | 4096x2160 |
| 8K | 7680x4320 |
Comparison of 4K sizes with Ultra-HD and other resolutions with each other
The 4K format refers to a more modern standard that appeared relatively recently.
The following characteristics are defined for it:
- The name itself indicates the number of horizontal pixels of the image, and the size itself is 4096x2160 (and not the fourth generation, as some believe);
- To play videos of this resolution, you will need the H.265 video codec (you need to download it separately, and not upgrade to H.264).
Attention! Some users may think that a player with H.264 support can easily play back the 4K format, given that it works SD, HD and Full-HD. This is a misconception, because... 4K refers to High Efficiency Video technology, different from High Definition Video. The same applies to the Ultra-HD format.
Advantages and disadvantages of 4K format
The 4K high-quality picture transmission standard has its pros and cons. Let's give the main ones.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| All modern TV manufacturers rely on technology. It is supported by screens, set-top boxes, video projectors, and cameras. | High cost of models that support the format. |
| High picture clarity when viewing photos, videos and games. | The large weight of 4K films – it reaches 160 GB |
| Even old Full HD films are transferred to 4K. | Not much content relative to the total |
| Possibility of automatic image enhancement. | Such TVs are not suitable for small rooms - high quality is unnoticeable on screens that are too small and at close range. |
Satellite operators offer broadcasting of a number of channels with 4K resolution. Also, videos in high definition can be viewed on special streaming services after paying a subscription fee.
4k Ultra HD as an ultra-high definition television standard
The “4K” or “Full HD” marking is used by TV manufacturers to indicate the screen resolution of a particular model. The term "4K Ultra HD" is also used to identify ultra-high definition television broadcasts. The advanced UHDTV standard ensures broadcasting clearer and higher-quality images.
The UHDTV standard can have a resolution of not only 4K, but also 8K - 7680x4320 pixels. NHK managed to broadcast the picture with such high resolution. Broadcasting in 8K is an ambitious project. 4K Ultra HD TV is supported by many TV providers. For example, the Russian operator Tricolor TV launched the first broadcast in this format in 2013. Interest in television broadcasting in ultra-high definition format is growing gradually. It is supported by several channels, the first of which was launched in 2014.
How 4K differs from UHD
Equipment manufacturers are accustomed to saving money without losses. So, 1 GB of any drive on the market is equal to 1000, not 1024 MB. When ordering a 1TB hard drive, the buyer does not receive at least 24 GB of free space.
Similarly, they decided to save money on the 4K standard, equating it to UHD. The latter is 256 pixels short of the required size. Manufacturers are silent about this - it’s more profitable for them.
Historically, 4K and UHD are not related. They have common features, but they differ in scope, resolution and even possible aspect ratios. Let's compare the specified characteristics in the table.
Differences between 4K and UHD television standards
| Name | Permission | Application area | Aspect Ratio |
| 4K | From 3656 to 4096 px on the long side | Production or professional purposes. | 16:9, 4:3 and 256:135 |
| UHD | 3840 px on the long side for UHD 4K. 7680 px on the long side for Quad UHD. | Custom television or broadcast television | 16:9 |
The Digital Cinema Initiatives, a standardization consortium for the modern film industry, has initiated the emergence of true 4K for cinema. Modern consumer TV models do not use this standard.
Much later, equipment manufacturers picked up the name of the new format and began to use it to refer to UHD TVs. This is how a subspecies of Ultra High Definition called 4K UHD appeared. It does not reach the width of 4000 pixels, and the letters 4K in the name of the subtype are used to attract customers.
Modern resolutions are usually named by height - 720p, 1080p... So, for the UHD size the name “2160p” is more suitable than 4K UHD.
In UHD, exactly 4 Full HD pictures fit, and in DCI Standard 4K, a stripe of 256 pixels remains. DCI 4K is four times the size of full 2K.
You can understand which specific 4K is in front of you by resolution. Almost all the sentences you come across will be signed with a value of 3840 by 2160 pixels. It meets UHD specifications.
UHD differs from full 4K not only in picture quality, but also in the way photo or video content is encoded. The latter has JPEG2000 with a bitrate of up to 250 MB.
The UHD standard is divided into several generations - UHDTV, UHDTV-1 and UHDTV-2. With the advent of new technology, resolution, color depth, dynamic range, sampling, the list of available audio formats, and frame rate increase.
The resolutions of the standards under consideration are equivalent to 8-8.8 megapixel matrices.
What is 8K
The next step to improve image quality was the 8K standard with a resolution of 7680 to 10000 on the long side. Not a single operator in Russia is broadcasting channels in this format yet, there are very few films, and the devices are sky-high.
Even if you have raised money for such a device, you should not buy it for a small home. The image quality will only be noticeable on a screen of at least 85 inches.
The UHD ending was also added to one of the varieties of 8K - it is only relevant at a resolution of 7680 × 4320 pixels. As with 4K UHD, the size in question does not reach the values of full 8K – 8000 pixels in width. Therefore, the designation Quad UHD is often used instead of 8K UHD.
8K is a new product for the television market. Applying the standard logo has been officially allowed since 2021. The format is proposed to be used for:
- circular projectors to show 360° video.
- TVs;
- monitors;
- photo or video cameras.
8K cannot yet be called an offer for a wide range of people. It remains available only to the rich and organizations.
How to achieve high-quality images
To get high-quality 4K content, you will need:
- A TV or monitor whose matrix supports the format.
- A device that will decode the incoming video signal - it can be built into the TV model or separate.
- HDMI 2.0-2.1 cable. for lossless video transmission.
- If you plan to watch videos online, make sure you have an Internet connection with a speed of at least 20 Mbit per second.
- Video of the required standard. Consider videos from the last 2-5 years of shooting. Before this, 4K technology was not used, but enthusiasts are actively trying to bring the quality of old films to 4K - the resolution increases, but does not reach the required level.
When selecting an HDMI cable, buy options marked “High-Speed” and “Premium HDMI Certified”. Don't pay attention to other motivational inscriptions.
How much content is available for 4K TV
There are enough 4K videos to regularly fill up terabyte hard drives. All modern cinema has switched to 4K, and old films have begun to be adjusted to it.
To get content you can use:
- search networks;
- satellite telecom operators - most offer 4K packages;
- streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime;
- discs with licensed products.
For the last 3 options considered, you will have to pay a subscription or one-time fee.
RGB display vs RGBW display
Over the past three years, Ultra HD TVs with RGBW (red, green, blue, white) subpixels have appeared on the market. They offer worse picture quality than RGB subpixel TVs, but are priced lower than the top models.
What does it mean? We should carefully check the specifications of the TV we are planning to buy. It is also worth considering that the quality offered by RGBW TVs is not completely sufficient for us (it is worth checking the TV before purchasing, for example in a store).
Review of the best 4K TV models
Let's move from theory to practice. In Table 3, read the Top 7 available 4K and UHD TV models. We did not consider offers with a diagonal of less than 40 inches, because such high image quality on them is pointless.
| Name | Description | Price, rubles | Rating |
| Q90R 4K Smart QLED TV 2019 | Let's start with the most expensive model in the selection from the Korean brand Samsung. The Q90R features a large 55-75 inch display and a fast processor from Quantum. The offer is suitable not only for watching videos, but also for playing games. The developers have introduced the flagship Ultra Viewing Angle technology into the model - regardless of the viewing angle, the colors on the screen will not fade, and the image will maintain its integrity. For color rendering, the Direct Full Array 16X system was also used - the screen backlight was divided into 420 segments, which were alternated. | 199990-399990 | ★★★★★ |
| LG 43UK6200 | The 2021 model is simpler, but also much cheaper than the previous one. The screen offers an expanded color range with High Dynamic Range Imaging technologies – HDR10 Pro and HLG Pro. The 42.5-inch screen allows you to watch videos at a horizontal angle of up to 178°. To watch 4K video, 3 HDMI and 1 USB connectors are suitable. Decoding modules and a slot for CI cards are available for connecting to digital or satellite television. | 24990 | ★★★★★ |
| Samsung UE43NU7090U | The year before last version from the South Koreans. It received a rating of 4.5 on Yandex Market for good picture and sound quality. The 43 inch screen takes up little space. Frame refresh rate – 100 Hz. For listening to sound, two built-in speakers and Dolby Digital decoders are available. Reviews praise the model for its price-quality ratio, narrow frames and performance. | 25990 | ★★★★★ |
| TX-40GXR700 | Last year's forty-inch TV from the Japanese company Panasonic earned high marks from customers. The screen supports the extended color range of HDR10 and HDR10+ standards. Suitable for streaming, receiving terrestrial or satellite television, connecting portable hard drives with high-quality videos. The Japanese implemented adaptive dimming of the backlight in the model. | 27 990 | ★★★★★ |
| Mi TV 4S 43 | Chinese offer from Xiaomi. Screen size – 42.5 inches. Supports HDR10 and Direct LED backlighting. Screen refresh rate – 50 Hz. The view is possible at a horizontal angle of up to 178°. Performance is provided by the Mali-450 GPU graphics processor. 8 GB of internal memory of the device is available for saving data. The sound lacks bass, but the model justifies its price. | 22 990 | ★★★★★ |
| LG 65UM7300 | The 65-inch model is twice as expensive as most of those presented. For this money you get an almost frameless 165 cm display, Direct LED backlighting, HDR, and a full set of required functions. The “24p True Cinema” technology is interesting - with it you can watch old films at 24 frames, rather than converting them to modern mode. To prevent image blurring, you can increase its response with the True Motion system. 360VR virtual reality function is also available. | 57 990 | ★★★★★ |
| Sony KD-55XG8096 | Last year's Japanese model with a diagonal of 54.6 inches. Viewing angle – 178°. The model uses progressive scan for display. To increase the sharpness of the picture, the company has developed an algorithm that inserts frames, Motionflow. 16 GB of internal memory is available for saving data. To connect, use basic wireless and wired options, including Wi-Fi, HDMI and USB. Surround sound is provided by 2 built-in speakers. | 66 990 | ★★★★★ |
It is impossible to select the best of the 4K models reviewed; they represent different price categories, but offer users a similar set of functions.
For a detailed review of the most expensive model in the selection, Samsung Q90R 4K Smart QLED TV 2021, watch the video
Over the past 5 years, buying a 4K TV has gone from an exotic experiment to a rewarding purchase. All TV equipment users know about this format. Before deciding to purchase, determine whether you need such a device. Make sure you have enough space to appreciate the benefits of high resolution.
Why do you need UHD TV?
Many buyers, after they understand the difference between FHD and 4K TV, think about whether such a TV is needed for their home. There are several opinions on this matter, and they differ from the goals and desires of the buyer. TV usage options:
- watching TV shows;
- use as a PC monitor;
- connecting a game console;
- watching movies via the Internet and from a flash drive.
If you think that in the first case, buying a TV with the maximum resolution does not make much sense. Modern broadcasting does not provide enough picture quality to require UHD resolution to view it. This statement is partly true, but no one buys a TV for a year or two. A TV is a device that lasts until it breaks, and the service life of modern models reaches ten years. Based on this, it can be argued that in the foreseeable future, broadcasting will switch to a higher-format picture, which means that even for watching regular channels, it makes sense to buy an option that will not have to be changed in a year.
If the buyer connects satellite television to his device, then he can see the difference today. Many channels broadcast via satellite are in HD format, which means they will look better on 4K TV than on FHD. Another fact that speaks about the benefits of purchasing a UHD TV is the built-in image enhancement function. Without going into details, the processor of a modern TV improves the picture and tries to artificially “pull” it up to 4K; of course, this will be a conditional UHD resolution, but the difference is still noticeable.
If we consider other use cases - watching movies, accessing the Internet, a set-top box or connecting to a PC, then here you definitely need a TV with maximum resolution. When buying a large diagonal, the user thinks that he wants to some extent replace going to the cinema with it. Obviously the picture will be affected by the resolution and it is foolish to buy a large TV with a low resolution. Most modern buyers use online cinemas or simply download movies from the Internet, and in 2021 you can find a lot of high-definition content.
If a TV is primarily needed as a screen for a game console, then you should pay attention to the fact that PS4 Pro and Xbox One support 4K, which means they need the most modern TV not only with a good response time, but also a high-quality picture. A similar situation exists with PCs. Powerful models of desktop computers and laptops are equipped with video cards that can play videos and games in UHD.
So, to summarize the above, when buying a TV in 2019, it makes sense to overpay for the resolution, since it is worth it. An exception should be made if the TV will be used infrequently and a conventional antenna will be connected as a signal source, however, here too we should not forget that over ten years of its service the user’s desires may change and the device will have to be replaced with a more modern one. By the way, decent models with UHD are not much more expensive than FHD and the difference is not so significant as to think about saving.
