While many people were quick to upgrade their 1080p TVs to new and shiny 4K TV models, many also were hesitant, wondering if the upgrade was even worth it. A big question prevailed among sceptics: “Can you see the difference between 1080p and 4K?”
Have you been on the fence about 4K for some time? Want to know whether it is actually worth upgrading your 1080p TV to the new standard? You’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re going to show you everything you need to know about UHD technology!
Can The Naked Eye See The Difference Between 1080p And 4K?
A 4K display has four times the number of pixels as a 1080p display, so under the right conditions, it is totally possible to make out the difference between the two resolutions.
Whether or not you can make out the difference between a 1080p and 4K TV will depend on a few factors. One of the most important factors is the size of the screen. Because 4K displays have so many more pixels than 1080p displays, the pixels are allowed to spread out more. If a 1080p TV were to be too large, the resolution would appear stretched out and unclear.
Because 4K TVs are able to be much larger than 1080p TVs, this allows much more space to take in all of the visual detail. This also means that you can sit much further away from a 4K TV, without losing any of the visual quality.
You may have more trouble distinguishing between 4K and 1080p if the screen is too small. For instance, a 4K TV that is under 42 inches may not initially look any different from a 1080p TV of the same size. This is because the pixels are not able to spread out. This leads us to another factor that can play a role in determining the difference between 1080p and 4K.
Your ability to tell the difference between a 4K TV and a 1080p TV will be affected by your relation to the TV itself. Let’s say you had two TVs, of the same size, lined up side by side. One is a 4K TV, while the other is a 1080p TV. If you were to look at the two screens from around a distance of 6 feet. You might have more trouble telling the difference between the two.
If you were to head closer to the two screens and look at them up close, you would likely be able to make out a number of key differences in their resolutions. Individual pixels would become immediately clear upon approaching the 1080p TV, whereas individual pixels on the 4K TV may be a little harder to make out!
The size of a 4K TV, as well as your relation to it, plays a huge role in determining the clarity of the screen. If you want to understand the differences between 1080p and 4K, you definitely have to witness it for yourself!
So, while the difference between a 1080p and 4K TV may seem insubstantial to the uninitiated, seeing the two side by side can make it a night-and-day comparison.
What Is The Best Size For A 4K TV?
Seeing as size plays a large role in the quality of a 4K TV, you might be wondering which screen size best shows off the glory of 4K.
It’s generally recommended that a 4K TV be over 40 inches in size in order to make the most of the higher resolution. Displays below 40 inches in size simply would not allow enough room for the 4K image to spread out, which would make it much harder to differentiate it from a 1080p display!
When it comes down to which screen size is “Best”, it tends to come down to what you want from the screen, as well as the space you have available for it. 98 inch TVs, for instance, are fantastic for enjoying the best cinematic blockbusters with true cinema quality, but you will need plenty of space to accommodate them.
Not only do you need plenty of space for the TV itself, but you also need space to take it all in. You shouldn’t sit too close to a 98 inch TV, lest you want to be whipping your head around all night just to keep up with the action.
If you want to take in the full scope of any particular screen, you will need to sit at the right distance. In order to work out the optimal distance between your sofa and your TV, you will want to take the screen size, and then multiply that with 1.5. The number you end up with is the distance that should be between you and your screen! So, if you want to enjoy a 98 inch TV, make sure there are more than 10 feet between the screen and your favourite spot on the sofa!
What Are The Benefits Of 4K?
Sure, 4K TVs might have better picture quality compared to 1080p TVs, but is that all they have? Do they have other benefits that make those larger price tags worth it? Turns out, they do!
4K TVs Are Much Larger
As we mentioned already, 4K TVs have four times the number of pixels of 1080p TVs. This of course means that there is far more freedom for the image to spread out without losing clarity or sharpness!
One of the best benefits of 4K TVs is that they allow you to upgrade from a smaller TV to a much larger TV, without losing any visual clarity at all!
Though 4K TVs definitely look best on larger screens, there is also plenty of variety when it comes to sizes, whether you want centrepiece 65 inch TVs for your living room or more compact 40 inch TVs for your bedroom, there’s always plenty of variety when it comes to 4K screens.
4K Is Growing In Popularity
4K TVs are becoming more and more popular and more and more essential. Major streaming services, from Netflix to Disney+ are offering huge catalogues of 4K content to stream, and even broadcasting institutions like BBC are displaying large events, such as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, in full 4K!
As 4K TVs become more and more widespread, don’t be surprised if more content begins making the jump to 4K. Expect to see more 4K UHD Blu-Rays stacking the shelves, and more television broadcasts at 4K resolutions.
Buying a 4K TV is great futureproofing, to ensure that you can keep up with the best of home entertainment whenever it is released!
Better Colour
As well as providing greater clarity, 4K TVs are also great at providing far richer colour palettes. The greater number of pixels allows 4K TVs to recreate more subtle colour variations.
This effect is even greater in 4K QLED TVs in particular. These TVs actually make use of quantum dots, which are small semiconductors that are able to create highly specific colours when subjected to energy.
Better colour can help to make images look far more lifelike. 4K TVs benefit not only from greater resolutions, to keep viewers from noticing individual pixels, but also greater colour recreation.
4K OLED TVs are also able to create fantastic depth in images, thanks to their unique technology. The pixels in OLED TVs are able to operate independently, thanks to providing their own light. This means that, when certain pixels turn off, they are able to recreate true black levels. Greater black levels allow for greater contrast, in turn allowing colours to pop from the screen like never before!
Can You See The Difference Between 8K And 4K?
Though 4K has long since hit the mainstream, its visual fidelity is completely bested by the resolution offered by 8K displays. Though 8K TVs have yet to fully catch on with the mainstream, they have many wondering whether the average person can make out the difference between 4K and 8K resolutions, or if 8K may truly be visual overkill!
Once again, this can largely be affected by the size of a screen, and how far away an individual is from it.
The extra pixels of 8K resolutions allow 8K TVs to reach much larger sizes, which means that they can be viewed from further away without losing detail or clarity.
If you were to line up two large displays of around 98 inches each, with one being a 4K display, and the other being an 8K display, you would not likely notice the difference between the two when viewing at a distance. However, as soon as you stepped closer to the two, you would be able to make out individual pixels on a 4K display. It would be significantly more difficult to make out the pixels on an 8K TV, even at close range.
8K TVs definitely do have greater resolutions when compared to 4K TVs, but whether or not they are worth the higher cost is down to the individual. There is currently far less 8K content available on streaming platforms, or through broadcast television, than 4K content. 8K could be the future, but we are not yet there!
Should You Upgrade Your 1080p TV To A 4K TV?
Now that we’ve extensively analysed the differences between 1080p and 4K TVs, you’re likely a little more interested in grabbing one of your own!
If you’re still on the fence about upgrading your TV set-up, you can rest assured that upgrading to a 4K model is totally worth it. Not only will you be able to enjoy your favourite shows and films at true cinematic resolutions, but you’ll also be ready for the ever-changing world of home entertainment, as more companies adopt 4K technology to provide even more content for those Friday nights in!
And when it comes to grabbing the right 4K TV, there is so much choice available! From Samsung 4K TVs to Philips 4K TVs, there’s always plenty to choose from, so you can grab the perfect screen for your space.
And there has truly never been a better time to join the 4K TV hype. As screens become more and more widespread, they also become much more affordable, so you can easily find a great price!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 4K Worth It Over 1080p?
If you want to make the most of your favourite video games and films, then opting for a 4K TV over a 1080p TV is absolutely the right decision! 4K not only provides greater resolution but also richer colour depth to help images pop. 4K is also becoming the industry standard for HD TVs, so you definitely don’t want to miss out!
What Is The Downside Of A 4K TV?
In order to make the most of the higher resolution of a 4K TV, you need a screen that is large enough to accommodate all of those extra pixels. However, if you only have a small amount of space available to situate a TV, you may find that 4K TVs are simply too large! If this is the case, you may be perfectly served by a 1080p TV!
Is 4K Outdated?
Though 8K TVs undoubtedly boast a much greater total resolution, it would be incorrect to say that 4K TVs are therefore outdated. 4K TVs are vastly more popular than 8K TVs, and there is far more 4K content available on the market than 8K content. Though there is potential for 8K to take over as the standard, it has yet to happen.
Should I Get 4K Netflix?
If you want to make the most of the best Netflix content, then opting for the 4K subscription plan is a great option. The only problem is that it is the most expensive option, thanks to the fact that it also offers the option to log in on more devices. If you don’t live in a busy household, it may not be worth the extra cost.
