It should come as no surprise that Ultra High Definition and 4K TVs are the most popular TV types on the market today. That said, many people are left confused regarding which ones to go with and in some cases the confusion is heightened even further by the use of ‘4K’ and ‘Ultra HD TV’ interchangeably when discussing certain products.
The main difference between the two is that 4K TVs display images in a resolution of 4096 x 2160 whilst Ultra HD TVs display the images in 3840 X 2160 resolution – just a little bit lower. When in use, it is near impossible for the average user to notice any substantial difference; however, this hasn’t stopped companies from using Ultra HD instead of 4K.
Why don’t they just complete the Ultra HD resolution to full 4K you ask?
There are many answers to that question but key among them is consumer preference. 4K TVs usually come in large sizes and some consumers generally want something smaller. TV manufacturers cater to customer demand by slightly reducing the resolution to come up with a smaller screen (55 inches). Although this is not to say that there aren’t any big-screen “Ultra HD” TVs in the market.
What’s all the fuss about?
The display on a 4K TV is often very detailed. The difference between it and your standard full 1080p HD TV can be visually astonishing, so if you want more detail and improved picture quality a 4K TV or Ultra HD TV is the way to go.
The higher pixel density also means you can get much closer to your TV without seeing the grid-like structure of the image itself. This will allow you to watch screens larger than your current Full HD TV without having to change your seating position.
What does it cost to get a 4K or an Ultra HD TV?
In the early days of the technology, it basically fell to the premiership footballers and film stars to adorn their living rooms with these fancy televisions. When they first hit the market, they could cost as much as £35,000 and even if you could shell out such amount, you needed to be sure there was enough space in your home for one -they were only available in 85+ inches!
Prices have since fallen, though and screen sizes are smaller. A top-end 65-inch 4K TV today may only set you back £2,500.
How far can I sit from a 4K TV for the best experience?
Here, at A Clearer Picture, it is our experience that the best distance to view a 65-inch 4K TV is around 1.5m. For screens larger than 65-inch, the optimum distance is 2-3m. If this is impractical for you, consider opting for screens lower than 65-inch or perhaps rearranging the furniture around your home.
