What Is 4K Ultra HD? [Everything You Need to Know]

Until recently, Full HD was the standard resolution. Most consumers aspired to own a Full-HD TV, from set-top boxes to Blu-ray players. That popular resolution is now (slightly) outdated. The current standard is 4K Ultra HD, and many new TVs and monitors support this resolution, regardless of size.

What is 4K? What does it actually mean in practice? This article will demystify the language, features, and applications of 4K devices. Here, you'll find everything you need to know about 4K technology.

What is 4K Ultra HD?

"4K resolution" refers to a horizontal display resolution of precisely 4,000 pixels. Several different 4K resolutions are used in digital broadcasting and digital cinematography.

4K Ultra HD has four times the resolution of full HD (1080p). By squeezing each pixel into a quarter of the space, 8 million pixels fit into the same area as 2 million on a full-HD TV. So what does that mean for the average viewer? Most modern TVs also support HDR (high dynamic range), which we'll get to later.

Because each pixel is smaller and takes up a smaller fraction of the screen, higher resolutions don't really matter on smaller displays. On a big screen, you can pack in more pixels, so the extra ones make more of a difference. You won't find many 4K TVs below 40 inches.

What can you do with 4K Ultra HD?

4K Ultra HD can be used in several ways, as follows:

• There are four main resolution standards for home use in the 4K realm: SD (480p/540p), HD (720p), FHD (1080i/p), and UHD (2160p).
• 4K Ultra High Definition is the standard for home use. 4K/UHD means a minimum screen resolution of 3,840 pixels wide by 2,160 pixels high, which is equivalent to two 1080p displays side by side. This standard was previously referred to as "Quad HD," and it's what all 4K TVs adhere to.
• Some projectors and many professional cameras use a resolution called 4Kx2K (4,096x2,160 pixels). This is also classified as 4K or Ultra HD.
• Professional photographers often use cameras with 4K resolution to achieve better results.

What are the pros and cons of 4K Ultra HD?

Like any major new development, 4K has its known pros and cons.

The Benefits of 4K Ultra High Definition:

• The latest in visual technology.
• Unmatched picture quality.
• Manufactured by brands like Samsung, Sony, LG, and Panasonic.
• There aren't currently any 4K TV channels, but these TVs can upscale regular TV, HDTV, and Blu-rays to near-4K resolution.
• Vision quality is comparable to 3D without the need for 3D glasses while watching movies or TV.

The downsides of 4K Ultra HD:

• As a new concept and product, the first 4K sets were expensive.
• Broadcasters might have feared that, at five times the price of an HD set, there would be too few viewers to justify 4K channels.

What does the future hold for 4K Ultra High Definition?

Maybe you've had a 4K TV from the beginning. Did you recently upgrade? Perhaps you're still on 1080p. Whatever your screen, you've surely heard of 8K. It's the next big leap in resolution. And, like 4K, it requires new technology.

8K has four times as many pixels as 4K, which is itself twice as sharp as the 1080p displays that became standard in the early 2010s. Where a 1080p screen has 1,920 by 1,080 pixels, a 4K TV doubles those dimensions to 3,840 by 2,160. An 8K display packs 7,680 by 4,320 pixels – four times as many as 4K, or 16 times as many as 1080p. But the world is not yet fully ready for this leap; a full transition could take two to four years.

Best 4K Ultra HD Media Players Recommendations

The very best 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players offer the absolute best picture quality for movies and TV. Picture quality is key, but having a great library to choose from is important too. Here are our top five picks.

1. Panasonic DP-UB9000 Blu-ray Player

The DP-UB9000 is Panasonic's top-of-the-range 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player, and it's worth considering if you have a great TV. Well built and feature-packed, it's a premium product. The DP-UB9000 is Panasonic's first player to support HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision.

2. Panasonic DP-UB820

The Panasonic DMP-UB820 is a mid-range 4K Blu-ray player with all the visual bells and whistles you could want, including full HDR compatibility.

3. Sony UBP-X700

The Sony UBP-X700 is an affordable 4K Blu-ray player that offers some of the best 4K performance at its price point. It delivers vibrant, engaging picture quality.

4. Reavon UBR-X200 4K Blu-ray Player

For those who want to splurge, there's the Reavon UBR-X200, a high-end 4K Blu-ray player with a sleek design and military-grade build quality.

5. Sony UBP-X1100ES

The UBP-X1100ES can handle 3D Blu-rays, SACDs, and DVD-Audio discs. It also supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision.

Conclusions

With everything 4K Ultra HD, if you need a new TV, it's a great time to upgrade to 4K. You can be sure that any 4K TV you buy now will be future-proofed, and prices have come down to very reasonable levels, even for 4K HDR TVs at any budget.