Last year we saw the advent of a new digital display format called 4K. There have been speculations about what 4K would exactly deliver to the consumer. Is it the next big thing in digital video technology or would it fade off with something new coming up in next few years? In this blog, we have tried to clear all doubts and explain what 4K technology means to you as a consumer.
4K or Ultra High Definition as it is officially called, is an umbrella term for resolutions higher than standard HD. The videos with these resolutions have more realistic colors and higher frame rates. This year, we will see almost every TV manufacturer launch a 4K television. However, we still don't have enough 4K content that could be viewed on these opulent TV sets. 4K, however, is a step forward in technology, and may soon become a standard with lot more content being offered in this format.
Whats with the name ? 4K or UHD
In the August 2012, the consumer Electronic Association introduced the term Ultra High Definition Technology for defining a resolution of at least 3,840 x 2160 pixels. The idea was to replace the term 4K as it seemed to confuse the consumer about actual resolution that it offered. The efforts of CEA did not last long, and a day later, Sony announced that its TV will be named 4K Ultra High Definition. Later on, other manufacturers also named their TVs as 4K to take advantage of the buzzword. Today, we practically use both words interchangeably to describe TVs, source devices, accessories, or content.
Digital Resolution : A Primer
4K is the latest in line of broadcast and media resolution. It replaced Full HD 1080p as the highest resolution signal available for in-home movie and television. The arrival of 4K gives you four main standards for in-house use i.e. Standard Definition (480p/540p), HD (720p), FHD (1080i/p), and UHD (2160p). When used in the home context, 4K means a minimum resolution of 3840 pixels wide and 2160 pixel high, making it equivalent to two 1080p screens in height and two 1080p screens in width. The 4K x 2K(4096 x 2160 pixels) resolution is used by some projector and professional cameras also come under the umbrella-term of 4K or UHD.
From Movie Theater to Homes
4K resolution is really perfect for huge theatrical screens, but it is little difficult to see the benefits of 4K on TV at home when viewed from a normal seating distance. The leap that we saw while changing from standard definition to HDTV was huge and 4K can't match it. But there is certainly some benefit for TV screens with a size of over 55 inches.
Are 4K televisions future proof?
Most of the major TV companies have committed to releasing 4K displays in the year 2014. There are more than dozen of 4K TV screens available today ranging from entry level 50 inches to huge 105 inches curved TVs,from brands such as LG and Samsung. These TVs demand a much higher premium than regular HDTV sets. One feature that many feel is important for it to be future proof is its compatibility with HDMI 2.0 as it enables a higher data rate than HDMI 1.4, which is the current standard. This is very important as 4K has a frame rate of 60fps. This makes HDMI 2.0 a must for any 4K TV to keep it future ready.
4K content in home starts with streaming
Right now, there is not much 4K content available. This scenario would soon change, with companies like Amazon, Sony, Netflix announcing plans to stream 4K content. Youtube also has a 4K channel. With the announcement of the HEVC or H.265 formats, 4K content will be delivered economically. Sony has also released a 4K player in the form of FMP-X1 that allows you to play 4K content on Sony 4K televisions. The Blu-ray Disc association also officially announced to release 4K Blu-ray by the end of the year.
Considering everything, one question that arises is - does 4K actually make your movie-viewing experience better? Well, that truly depends on the format of the original film. If the movie is originally recorded in standard resolution, then there is very little benefit in buying it in 4K native format over a DVD. However, even with native 4K material, a 4K TV or projector does not provide much noticeable change over standard 1080p models. To appreciate its quality, you will have to sit quite close to a large screen, just like sitting in the front few row of a movie theater. Overall, this technology is a step forward. With the pace at which technology is moving right now, we can't say that 4K is the limit. There might be even greater resolutions coming up in the near future.