4K Ultra HD TV

4K TVs: Increasing Pixels by 4 Times

All the major TV manufacturers sell 4K TVs and you will find the clarity of image and detail gives you the type of audio visual experience at home that you only ever dreamed about. The 4K screen resolution is 3,840 x 2,160 pixels which gives a total of 8 million pixels. That's four times the pixels provided by a Full HD television set. This is still an emerging technology and some users feel the image and viewing quality provided by a top of the range 1080 pixel TV is better than they received from a new 4K set, this could be due to purchasing an entry level model with poor image processor capabilities. When you buy 4K TV with powerful processing capabilities you will enjoy 4K picture quality at all times. It's also essential to consider the benefits of buying a 4K TV with HDR capabilities.

Ultra HD Resolution

4K resolution TVs are digital televisions providing viewers with horizontal resolution of 4,000 pixels, they are also known as UHD or Ultra HD TVs. The picture quality is near cinematic, hardly surprising given that this technology is used for cinematography. These televisions give approximately four times the image quality of standard 1080 pixel HD TVs. The first 4K TVs were launched in 2014/2015, they generally had larger screens, produced by manufacturers such as Sony and Samsung, with comparably high price tags of £20,000 upwards. This is now starting to become mainstream technology and is now available on smaller TV screens at much cheaper prices. 4K technology screened in cinemas provides 4096 x 2160 resolution, while the tech provided to consumers is just slightly lower at 3840 x 2160.

Size Does Matter

Once you decide to opt for a 4K TV you'll need to spend time researching the different available models. Most 4K TVs are on the large side, with 40-inch screens or above. A screen of this size is so viewers can appreciate the finer image and detail fully, watching shows on 4K TVs with a smaller screen size would not give you the full advantages of this new technology. Sports fans will be particularly impressed by these televisions and the high quality and smooth and sleek image, and motion displayed. BT Sport has already introduced a 4K sport channel so sports fans get the crisp image and viewer experience they desire. Gamers who own an Xbox One S, a PlayStation 4 Pro, or want to connect their PC to the TV can take advantage of a 4K TV model as well.

Flat Panel TV or Curved Screen?

You can opt for a flat panel or curved screen 4K TV, this will likely depend on manufacturer and model you choose. Panasonic, LG and offer flat screen models, while both companies other both flat and curved screen 4K TVs, such as Samsung and LG. Manufacturers are pushing for more consumers to buy curved screens as they say it is a far better viewing experience. This is the immersion technology argument, whereby viewers watching a slightly curved TV screen feel more involved as the images wrap around peripheral vision. It is true to say that watching curved screen does give this feeling, allowing you to feel as if you almost watching in 3D. Some manufacturers, for example Samsung, enhance this by increasing the image depth enhancement. The slightly curved screen also gives viewers the sensation they are watching in wider screen. Other arguments for buying a curved screen TV include better contrast effects and that this type of screen is better suited to the rounded shape of the human eye. Another valid argument for curved screens is that their design looks fantastic in any interior, particularly when they are on stands.

There are several arguments against curved screens, including the fact that increased reflections on the screen mean interior lighting will probably need to be reviewed. Some critics argue that the curved screen actually reduces viewing abilities, and it's true that the best place to benefit from the immersive experience can only be when you're sitting directly opposite the centre of the screen. Not many living areas will allow everybody to sit in this position. It's also been suggested that the real benefits of screens of this nature can only be experienced with TVs offering screens of 70 inches or more. From an interior design aesthetic, curved screens really don't hang on the wall as well as flat screens and the higher price tag for curved screen TVs may be hard for many people to justify.

4K TVs Have HDR

High Dynamic Range (HDR) refers to the detail and colour quality available on these televisions. HDR is commonly used terminology within digital camera use, and photographers using HDR mode find that it provides greater brightness and ultimately, more luminous images. The contrasts between light and shade are much more pronounced in HDR mode. This mode allows you to look into dusky or shadowy depths on the screen and actually pick out some of the shapes and forms within the darkness, while the added brightness gives far more life and energy. From the buyer's viewpoint, a TV that is HDR enabled gives a far more lifelike image than has been possible to date. Most 4K TVs are also HDR, the benefits of HDR being that smaller screen sizes also provide great viewing, which is not necessarily the case with 4K TVs.

Many filmmakers and TV producers feel that the HDR technology is more valuable than that of 4K. Although 4K gives added pixels, adding dynamic range and contrast to screenings gives people far better viewing experience. The biggest providers of streaming content, Amazon and Netflix, both supply content in HDR. You need a compatible Smart TV to stream HDR from Amazon or Netflix and the available content is still somewhat limited, House of Cards, Orange is the New Black and Daredevil were all filmed using HDR technology for example. HDR technology is also available at selected Dolby Cinemas which are designed to compete with IMAX.

The drawbacks of HDR are that the technology requires higher levels of storage or bandwidth for streaming, and also where HDR is used indiscriminately the viewer experience can be quite awful as images can look tasteless and tacky.

It does seem that manufacturers are committed to providing the new 4K and HDR technologies in tandem, so you will have a variety of options on content and entertainments available to you. Hisense is one of the manufacturers providing budget 4K TVs with HDR compatibility.

LED

Most 4K TVs feature LED (light emitting diodes) screens which are very thin and can be hung or placed easily anywhere around the home. The LED family of TV panels are part of the LCD group, but LED features better backlighting. This is because the LEDs will backlight the screen and cut the need for fluorescent backlight systems that are installed in conventional LCD televisions. LED TVs use less energy, so it's an eco-conscious buying decision, but the development of the new OLED TVs may well reduce their market value. If you're considering buying a 4K TV, choosing an LED or OLED screen should be one of the most important factors to influence your decision.

OLED

Organic light emitting diodes (OLED) screens have even better colour, vibrancy and quality, however they are the most expensive 4K TVs currently on the market. OLED technology TVs don't require backlighting as every pixel on screen is a small LED (light emitting diode) in itself. These TVs feature even thinner screens, around 4mm, with even thinner ones currently in prototype. Further advances in OLED technologies may see these screens become flexible or transparent. The OLED technology is also available in 1080 pixel televisions which are hugely popular and will support 4K resolution. Curved, flat, and even bendable televisions are available using this technology and LG is the popular provider.

LG OLED TV

Smart TV, Connections, and Gaming Requirements

Most modern televisions on the market now are Smart, meaning your TV is internet enabled. Smart TVs have the added benefit of a variety of preloaded apps, such as Netflix streaming. Your Smart TV will also allow you to browse the Internet from the comfort of your living area. Each 4K TV manufacturer has different custom layouts, setup possibilities, and controls for these televisions, so make sure to check out what would be easiest for your chosen TV prior to making any purchase. If you opt for a 4K TV which is not Smart you can still access Smart services by adding streaming boxes such as Roku or Apple TV, while a YouView set top box will give you Freeview and access to Internet TV. Furthermore, connecting your computer to the TV allows you to use the larger screen as a computer monitor. You'll need a HDMI cable or DisplayPort cable to connect your 4K TV to the Internet and take full advantage of all the available Smart content, play games, and access services. Older 4K TVs will use HDMI 1.4 connections, giving you gaming speeds of 30 frames per second which is slower than recommended. Newer 4K TV models require HDMI 2.0, giving 60 frames per second which is the speed most games are designed to run. TVs with DisplayPort inputs are still fairly rare, so being able to game at optimum levels using a 4K TV is still a way off. If you intend to use your TV for gaming the input lag test results are critical to your overall gaming experience and these results refer to the time taken by the TV to process its response to controllers. As TVs become even more complex and incorporate more features, the time required to perform video processing tends to increase. If you need to buy a 4K TV for gaming you'll want to find one with the best lag test results. At present the faster 1080pixel TVs provide better results in testing for input lag.

Many users feel the advantages of sitting close to 4K TVs when gaming can outweigh other disadvantages as it's like using VR headsets. The main drawback is that it's impossible to view the complete screen at once when sitting up close. This can be a real negative when playing games with critical information bars in corners, like health bars, equipment counters or maps.

Is the 4K Technology 3D Compatible?

Toshiba is one manufacturer providing a 4K TV with passive 3D capability, what this means in layman's terms is that you'll only need the inexpensive 3D glasses to view films in near cinema quality. Most TVs need viewers to wear the expensive active 3D capability glasses to obtain the best viewing experience on television. As already discussed above, many viewers find the immersive-type viewing offered by larger screens, coupled with the enhanced visuals, to be as effective as 3D TV.

Available Content

There is a large range of content available for 4K TVs, Hollywood films, TV programmes and shows have been filmed using 4K technology for a number of years. Streaming it to devices and downloading is already possible from Netflix and Amazon, but you will require broadband of 15Mpbs or above. You may find some 4K TVs don't yet support broadband of 15Mpbs and above. YouTube has a considerable amount of 4K content and dedicated 4K channels. A number of 4K TV channels are in the pipeline alongside BT Sport Ultra HD which was the first 4K sports channel in Europe. Sky Q box is 4K and allows the viewer to watch and record up to four channels simultaneously. The major problem with this technology in the UK is that many providers still don't give the full HD 1080pixel definitions, therefore, the jump to 4K is a big one. Virgin and Freeview transmit at the reduced 1080i format at present.

Accessories for 4K TV

• 4K Blu-ray Players – Available 4K Blu-ray players offer greater storage capacity and more disks are coming to the market as the popularity of 4K TVs increases. 4K disks for Blu-ray are cheaper, as the films were shot using this technology and do not need to be converted.

• 4K Ultra HD Camcorders – Another useful device to increase enjoyment of any 4K TV is the 4K Ultra HD Camcorder, which allows you to capture films in the greatest detail and with perfect colour and imagery. Professionals have been using 4K devices for a while now and buying your own 4K camcorder gives enables to shoot professional-quality films and photos at any time which you can later watch on your 4K TV device.

• Compatible Devices – 4K TVs are backwards compatible, so existing Blu-ray players, cable devices and DVD players can be used with these TVs and you will discover the viewing experiences are enhanced. To really make the most of your new TV it's recommended to opt for the latest devices, Blu-ray players, camcorders and associated disks.

The Downside of 4K TVs

Expense is the major downside of 4K TVs at this moment, they are becoming more affordable but you should consider all features carefully prior to making a purchase. The development of HD TV took around ten years to become mainstream, however, it's unlikely 4K TV will take so long to become established. One major drawback of 4K TVs is they use up to 30% more power than typical high definition TVs. This could amount to a considerable surge in utility prices over the long term and is an important consideration for any consumer with energy efficiency and environment concerns. It's important to make a number of checks and look at reviews before buying any 4K TV because the available quality of so many top of the range 1080 pixel TVs is higher than ever before for modern consumers. The TV market is fast paced and 4K TVs are still very much in their infancy, but increasingly available and becoming more affordable since 2015.

Best Time of Year to Buy 4K TVs

The marketplace for 4K TVs is developing at this moment, with more models released constantly and falling prices. When newer models are released to the market, discounts are highly likely on older versions. You need to weigh up the pros and cons of buying a new device which will likely have better streaming and content compression features against the purchase of a substantially cheaper model that is already outdated in many ways. First generation 4K TVs from Philips and Samsung are already in need of replacement tuner upgrades, while other providers need to make firmware fixes to maintain the colour quality of devices and keep them at standards offered by the newer TVs. Trials are already being conducted on 8K TVs, which is likely to be the next popular device launched to the market over coming decades.

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