If you’re unfamiliar with all the TV tech spec terminology (there’s a mouthful), buying a new TV can be a bit of a gamble. How do you know which one is best? How will my games look when I hook up my console? And if 4K is Ultra HD, what does that make 8K? Ultra Ultra HD?
Here, we’ll explain what 4K and 8K mean, how they affect your TV’s ability to showcase every little visual detail, and we’ll even point you towards the perfect size TV to suit your viewing distance.
What is 4K?
Like its predecessor Full HD and HD Ready before that, 4K (or Ultra HD) refers to a specific picture resolution. With 4K, that resolution is 3840 x 2160 pixels –four times more detailed than Full HD’s 1920 x 1080p resolution.
Because 4K TVs have a much higher pixel density than any TVs that came before, they can display the subtle nuances of an image in a way that older TVs cannot. You’ll see much more accurate depictions of both color and shape, making them better for watching shows, playing games and even viewing your own high-resolution vacation snaps! Well, that is if you like seeing sunburn in 4k.
What is 8K?
8K TVs are even more future-ready than 4K TVs. That’s because 8K screens have quadruple the resolution of 4K screens; 7,680 x 4,320. While the vast majority of content available to view, whether movies or TV shows, isn’t yet shot in 8K resolution, with this kind of TV, you’ll be the first to benefit when 8K content hits our screens. And the first to show off to the neighbors about it.
The real point of difference between 8K TVs and everything before is visible when you watch a large screen TV. With smaller 8K TVs, it’s tricky to immediately notice the difference in picture quality with the naked eye as the pixels are too densely packed to notice. However, with a big TV, the ability to pack millions of tiny pixels in means you get an astounding picture even when you’re watching on a huge 85-inch+ screen. So, in this case, size does matter.
So, what’s the difference?
4K TVs have been around for a number of years now. In fact, most of the TVs available to buy right now have a native 4K Ultra HD resolution, and there’s more and more content that’s available in 4K. YouTube, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, all these streaming services will let you stream content in ultra high definition, though in some cases, you’ll need to buy a premium subscription.
Since there really isn’t very much 8K content being made right now, the main benefit of having an 8K TV at the moment is upscaling. Yes, it sounds like something your boss would say in a sales meeting. But upscaling is actually when a TV has a smart processor that takes lower resolution video and increases the pixel count to make the video fill the whole screen. Many 4K TVs can do this with lower-res videos, but 8K takes image quality to the next level.
What about gaming?
Gaming nerds assemble. We’re about to break it down. We all know that resolution is an important factor when considering what kind of TV you want to buy for gaming, but it’s not the be-all-end-all. We think that refresh rate is just as important.
Refresh rate means the number of images a TV can display in a single second. If you think of a video as a series of single images moving onto the next incredibly fast, the more a TV can display within a time frame, the smoother the picture looks. Movement appears more natural, and in games, it makes the TV feel more responsive. So, you can concentrate on pwning noobs.
The 2020 release of two big consoles the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, both have a native resolution of 4K and can display games at up to 120 frames per second in this resolution (provided your TV can go up to 120 Hz). Neither console currently has the capability to go up to 8K, so many game developers are focusing on making their games the best they can be in 4K Ultra HD. But in the future, 8K features will be unlocked and available on both consoles. For the time being, 4K is the way to go for the smoothest, most immersive console gaming experience.
Does having a 4K v 8K TV impact how close I can sit to the screen or is it the same?
Viewing distance can have a big impact on your viewing experience. Whether you choose a 4K or 8K TV, sitting too close to the TV screen can damage your eyes and mean you miss out on some of the action, especially when you go for that big screen your partner specifically said was too big for the living room. Sitting too far away on the other hand will mean you miss out on the sharp detail that both 4K and 8K TVs are known for – not cool!
Generally, the higher the resolution the closer to your TV you can sit, but we recommend treating 4K and 8K TVs the same when it comes to viewing distance, especially as the majority of content you consume will still be transmitted at 4K or lower. See below for our optimal viewing distances for 4K and 8K TVs.