Foreword:
Also known as Ultra High Definition (UHD), 4K video format delivers superior image quality and vibrant colors especially important for digital signage and professional video production. But, like all innovations, this format also set new requirements that must be taken into account.
4K video transmission requires a lot of bandwidth, up to 10 Gbps. This is followed by new requirements for the entire infrastructure. For the successful application of the technology in real conditions, the entire system must be designed taking into account the following features:
- Permission mismatch
- Frame rate requirements
- Format support by various audio / video interfaces
- New requirements for cable length
4K equipment manufacturers need to take a rigorous approach to testing equipment to ensure that devices meet all the requirements for integrating into 4K systems, thereby freeing integrators from having to do these tests themselves.
Why pay attention to 4K?
Professional audio / video professionals should always keep up to date with the latest developments, and even if 4K is not very common yet, a large market is just around the corner.
Technology is advancing and many display and media manufacturers are already offering 4K-ready products. Resolution and image quality are increasing in huge leaps and bounds, and when you consider that prices are falling, this technology becomes very attractive to the market.
4K technology overview
The term “4K” is used to describe video signals with a horizontal resolution of up to 4,000 pixels (typically 3840 pixels). The previous generation of video signal resolutions was defined by vertical resolution (for example, 1080p is a signal with 1080 vertical lines). The difference between the previous 1080p and the new 4K is huge.
In professional spheres, the terms 4K and Ultra HD (UHD) have become almost synonymous, but it is important that they are not interchangeable. There is a practical difference between the two that is worth considering. Simply put, 4K is the standard for video production and the film industry. UHD is a standard for consumer displays and television broadcasting.
The first feature. Permission mismatch
All 720p, 1080i, and 1080p video signals have the same aspect ratio of 1.78: 1 (16: 9). Since almost all displays and signal sources used this aspect ratio, everything was quite simple. For several years there was no need to adjust to different aspect ratios. That changed with the arrival of 4K as two aspect ratio standards came along.
The resolution, commonly referred to as UHD (3840 × 2160), is four times the resolution of 1080p and is obtained by increasing the number of horizontal and vertical pixels from the original 1920 × 1080 resolution. At the same time, the aspect ratio of UHD is the same as that of HD video, 16: 9. Most 4K displays have a resolution of 3840x2160.
Another 4K format resolution is 4096 × 2160, with an aspect ratio of 19:10. Also referred to as 4K DCI, it is used in film production and cinema systems. Thus, there are displays with a resolution of 4096 × 2160, and with the more common - 3840 × 2160.
Many cameras and signal sources can handle these two resolutions. Professional A / V veterans may remember SXGA 1280x1024, which has a non-standard 5: 4 aspect ratio, while others had a 4: 3 aspect ratio. And this case is very similar to the situation with 4K, where you must carefully select displays and signal sources and configure them to avoid unnecessary stretching and cropping. Understanding the differences between well-known resolutions and 4K will help solve the difficulties in the spread of new technology.
The second feature. Frame rate requirements
To transmit a video signal with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 and a frequency of 60 frames per second, a bandwidth of 4.46 Gbps is required. Thus, increasing the number of pixels by 4 times will also increase the bandwidth requirement. For example, HDMI supports a maximum bandwidth of 10.2 Gbps. Therefore, most 4K devices are limited to 30 frames per second or less. Of course, this is not essential for films, since the source material is 24 frames per second. But it's important to understand that for video and computer applications, the frame rate is halved. As a result, there is a need for a system that can work with content with a frequency of 24, 25, 30, 50 and 60 frames per second.
An image coding technology known as color downsampling delivers 4K video at 60 frames per second at 9 Gbps bandwidth using up to 4: 2: 0 color compression - the format used for Blu-ray encoding ... Color downsampling conveys image luminance information at full resolution and color information at a lower resolution (in this case 1920 × 1080). Since the human eye is less sensitive to color than to brightness, this technology provides the perception of information in in the best possible way with available bandwidth.
The third feature. Format support by various audio / video interfaces
HDMI isn't the only way to transfer 4K content. Let's take a look at other interfaces and the frame rates they support.
DVI
The DVI interface is used in the computer environment and in professional audio / video. The DVI standard is based on TMDS technology and comes in two types: single-link and dual-link. Single-link DVI transmits video with a resolution of 1920 × 1200, dual-link DVI transmits video with a resolution of 2560 × 1600 (2048 × 2048). In total, single-link is used in 23/24 ″ displays, referred to as Full HD panels for simplicity. Dual-link resolutions require larger display sizes, 27 ″ for 2560 × 1440, 30 ″ for 2560 × 1600, or square displays at 2048 × 2048.
Full 4K resolution - 3840x2160 or higher via dual-link DVI is possible, but only at 30Hz or less due to bandwidth limitations. For a single link, the required bandwidth is up to 4.95 Gbps (165 Mhz), and 9.9 Gbps (2x 165 Mhz) - for a dual link.
HDMI
Essentially, HDMI is the same format as DVI, but it supports a higher pixel rate and also gains more bandwidth and color depth. This data also depends on the HDMI version. Prior to version 1.2, HDMI had similar specifications DVI version 1.3. Moreover, HDMI 1.4 outperforms dual-link DVI, although it is itself essentially a single link. Throughput HDMI 1.3 / 1.4 - 10.2 Gbps (single link 340 Mhz).
All HDMI 4K equipment and displays on the market today are limited to 30Hz. HDMI version 2.0, which was released recently, has increased throughput up to 18 Gbps (600 Mhz), successfully competing with DisplayPort which supports 4K at 60 frames per second. At this time, no displays have been provided with components that meet the full requirements. HDMI remains the most used standard in virtually all consumer and professional audio / video equipment.
DisplayPort 1.2
DisplayPort is a unique standard in its own way. It has a bandwidth of about 17 Gbps and thus DisplayPort is currently the only suitable interface for full UHD 3840 x 2160 resolution at 60 frames per second. DisplayPort is mainly used on personal computer graphics cards. It is worth noting that all modern graphic cards with DisplayPort support the full specification of DisplayPort 1.2, while at 5.3 Gbps per bus, some cards only support 30 frames per second.
Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt 1.0 is an interface used only by Apple devices. It is used for various purposes, including video transmission. It is also DP 1.1 compliant and capable of serving as an output for DisplayPort signals. To support 4K @ 60fps, Thunderbolt version 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.2 compatibility are required.
The fourth feature. New requirements for cable length
Even with reduced frame rates and color sub-decryption, 4K video transmission requires a lot of bandwidth. And then a new requirement for system integrators appears, since maximum length twisted pair (CATx STP) is much shorter than the usable cable length for HD video transmission.
In analog systems, transmission over long cables resulted in degraded picture quality. AT digital systems when transmitting over long distances, the image may disappear altogether. In addition, incompatibilities between signal sources and displays become even more problematic when using long cables. Just because some devices have been tested with long cables does not mean that all other devices that can be integrated into the system will also work properly. In practice, HDMI cable length can be limited to the higher bandwidth required for 4K.
To combat these negative effects, it is recommended to use High Speed \u200b\u200bHDMI cables when transferring 4K video. For longer distances, extension cords must be used. HDBaseT ™ is the basis for 4K.
Conclusion
Companies working on the production of 4K devices are faced with the challenge of conducting health testing, due to the fact that the latter are not widely available in the market. Television receivers require 4K content, and content will only be made publicly available when 4K displays are available. This is why these devices often have incomplete compatibility. However, companies are doing everything they can to overcome these challenges.
With the onset of 2013, there is more and more talk about a new super-high definition format - Ultra HD. Ultra HD is being developed in two flavors - 8K and 4K. The 4K format quadruples the image area, that is, instead of 1920 x 1080 pixels, as in HDTV, the format has a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. 8K format doubles 4K resolution.
The presentation of the new format took place back in 2002 at the "Open Day" in the laboratory of the developer company NHK.
They looked closely at Ultra HD for a long time, pondering whether it would be realistic to implement television in this format, whether the new equipment would pay off, whether it would be in demand. After all, there is no 4K video content yet, as there are no TVs capable of reproducing this quality.
Only in the last few years, the idea of \u200b\u200btelevision in the format has begun to develop and gain momentum rather quickly. Began to produce content 4K , satellite television channels in this format began to appear. Manufacturers also do not stand aside, offering buyers new models of high-resolution TVs.
With the advent of all this, questions arise whether it is generally necessary for an average citizen to have such a high resolution?
Will there be a noticeable difference in picture quality between HD and UHD on a TV that has a small diagonal?
Screen size
The larger the screen size or the shorter the viewing distance, the greater the benefits of 4K TVs. This conclusion can be made based on the fact that the image of any digital display consists of a certain number of pixels. For example, a picture on a 1080p HD TV would have approximately two million pixels. The screen size does not matter here: both a 46-inch and a 70-inch display with this video resolution have the same picture in terms of the number of pixels, only in the first case the points from which the image is built will be smaller and, accordingly, the picture will look clearer. When we divide 2 million pixels by the screen surface area, we see that the 46 "TV has about 2,700 pixels per square inch, and the second 70" TV has 1,780 pixels.
In other words, the larger the screen, the larger the pixel will be and the easier it will be to see it even at some distance. If the screen is very large, and its resolution is low, then you may get the impression that you are watching a picture consisting of mosaic particles. This is where you can truly appreciate the image quality in Ultra HD or 4K format. Here the number of dots in the picture is 8,294,400, and therefore, to fit on the screen, the pixel must have a minimum size, which means that the image will be ultra clear.
The distance at which a person can see the structure of the reproduced image depends on several factors: the quality and size of the screen, visual acuity, pixel size, and others. So, for those viewers who watch TV with a diagonal of less than 55 inches at a distance of 2 meters or more, the benefits of 4K will not be noticeable at all, so there is no point in purchasing expensive viewing equipment Ultra HD
.
Screen distance
Screen distance is also a telling factor in the 4K advantage. On a 50-inch display with Full HD resolution, a person with normal vision can see individual pixels already two meters from the screen. But if you have a large room, and there is an opportunity to be located at least 2.5-3 meters from the screen, then there is no need for Ultra HD, since the difference in image quality will be subtle.
But in some cases, increasing the resolution to 4K will be very useful, for example, when it comes to graphic design. Here, even if you're sitting a meter away from a 32-inch screen, the benefits of Ultra HD will be noticeable.
Content issue
The main problem hindering the development of the UHD market is the lack of content in this format... Video material is just beginning to appear, and then on physical media it cannot be found, because it "weighs" a lot. Get 4K video There are two ways: to shoot new material with special cameras that support a similar resolution, or to convert existing films in HD quality to Ultra HD.
In this state of affairs, manufacturers of UHD TVs can only offer buyers the ability to upscale the resolution of ordinary video to themselves using built-in converters. But it is worth noting that as a result of such an improvement, the video material may be somewhat distorted: at best, you will get an unreliable image, at worst - unnatural.
The reputable THX product certification company has already got involved in solving the problem. Sharp was the first to receive the THX 4K certification with the introduction of the Sharp LC-60HQ10 TV with ICC Purios technology. These TVs have passed about 400 different laboratory tests to determine the picture quality in HD and UHD resolutions. Sharp has created Integrative Cognitive Creation (ICC) technology to convert a regular image to 4K , and the picture is the most realistic.
New THX 4K certifications ensure image quality and fidelity, confirming that the display meets the high demands of UHD displays. Also, a high degree of correspondence of the resulting image to the original is ensured. For example, THX tests color accuracy and fidelity by comparing picture details to reproduce video elements such as grain and texture of the original.
conclusions
Comparing the new UHD TVs with the now familiar HDTVs, we come to the conclusion that ultra high definition makes it possible to enjoy crystal clear images, being close to the screen. Large diagonal TVs will also have excellent images, so with the advent of UHD, it became possible to purchase large TVs even for a small room, because the pixels on a 4K display are tiny and will not be noticeable to the naked eye.
If you are considering buying, consider the size of your room and the distance from the viewer to the screen first. Compare picture quality and retail prices for UHD and HD TVs in stores. Read the relevant information on the forums and in various publications on the Internet. Analyze everything well and only then make a decision - whether the 4K format matters to you or not.
4K resolution is fast taking over the digital video world, from TV screens to computer monitors, cameras and projectors. Ultra-high-definition images and all the functionalities that come with it are no longer a technology for the elite, but are becoming more popular, especially in displays and video recording systems.
So what is 4K resolution and what's behind that name?
Technology overview
What is 4K resolution - widely known from TVs and monitors ultra high definition... UHD is an all-encompassing term that encompasses a range of formats with at least 4 times the pixel count of normal HDTV specifications, as the name 4K suggests. The end result is image clarity that goes far beyond standard HD and delivers brighter, more varied, and lifelike colors at significantly higher frame rates.
4K TVs are currently the best-known UHD products, many of which have been on the market since mid-2013, although monitors with similar specifications have existed since early 2013, and ultra-high-definition video and cameras have been commercially available at least least since 2012.
4K resolution - 2160 x 3840 pixels, but horizontally the number of dots can exceed 4000. This exceeds the usual range digital formats, a basic level of which is occupied by TVs of standard definition (450 x 540), HD (720p) and fullHD (1080p). When measured vertically, the 4K resolution in pixels is 2160.
As you can see, the new standard is far superior to its predecessor. It delivers an image that is 2 times the size of fullHD in both height and width, resulting in four times the screen resolution.
Differences between 4K and UHD
The terms 4K and UHD are used interchangeably, but they actually mean different things. Most ultra high definition screens are 3,840 pixels wide. As mentioned above, these displays are called 4K, which is 4 times the resolution of HD.
However, in a more specialized context, correct 4K is most commonly found in digital cameras and is 4096 x 2160 pixels with an aspect ratio of 1.9: 1, unlike conventional 3840p wide ultra-high-definition screens with a 16: 9 ratio.
Regardless of whether 4K TV is officially defined as UHD, the user gets the same thing when buying an Ultra HD or 4K TV, monitor or video / camera.
Home theater
While the origins of UHD films can be traced back to releases such as "Blade Runner: The Final Cut" in 2007, it wasn't until James Cameron shot his famous 4K Avatar that the projection platform was widely adopted in theaters looking to please viewers with crystal clear images.
However, the transition from traditional to home theaters is a big step. Only in recent years have projectors and televisions become widely available, allowing consumers to enjoy UHD quality from the comfort of their homes.
Ultra-high resolution is almost invisible unless a very large and therefore very expensive screen is used. Or if the viewer is not sitting abnormally close to the TV. However, when it comes to projectors, the benefits that 4K offers really do become evident.
Most ultra-high definition projectors provide a resolution of at least 4096 x 2160. Since they usually offer projection platform sizes that completely outshine all but the largest 4K TVs, the difference between UHD and regular HD really does become noticeable here.
Only a projector showing 4K content or even upscaled HD 1080p will finally give you an idea of \u200b\u200bwhat 4K is at home. The device on a smaller scale shows what can be seen on the big screen.
Streaming
While 4K content for systems home theatersuch as projectors and televisions, is still quite scarce, it creates the basis for streaming. YouTube offers a 4K channel that has been in operation since 2010, and other developments are constantly appearing, especially in countries and regions with excellent Internet connections, which are faster than most people can reach.
The broadcast industry is promising a streaming compression standard called the high performance video codec HVEC or H.265. Through its implementation, broadcasters are assuring consumers that 4K content will be easy and cost effective to stream to home theater systems and thus UHDTV will become much more mainstream. Manufacturers are committed to this promise at all times and ensure that every new 4K TV released since 2015 is fully HVEC-encoded.
Other competing compression standards are also being developed, albeit with less ecosystem support. One of the most advanced is the VP9 4K video codec, which is used by Google to compress UHD content streams to YouTube. Most premium TVs today support both VP9 and H.265, although not all models offer both.
UHD benefits
4K TVs not only offer significantly more pixels. They are endowed with a number of other functionalities that differentiate them from traditional models.
First of all, it's worth noting that even if the difference in resolution is not too noticeable on a normal-sized screen, it definitely is. Additional and much smaller pixels play a big role whether the eye can distinguish them or not, and additional features such as ultra-high refresh rates and specialized color enhancement, HDR, and motion rendering technologies greatly enhance the viewing experience.
In addition, purchasing a 4K TV gives you access to network specifications and visual features that will come in handy in the future as broadcasters gradually adopt new standards.
Most UHD TV brands use powerful versions of LCD panel backlight technologies that provide local or total dimming for LCD panels, which significantly improves picture brightness and contrast. OLED displays are also available, which offer particularly impressive image quality and lighting accuracy.
Availability
The mainstream 4K TVs from major manufacturers are dropping in price to the point where they are reaching the top-end HD models. The amount of ultra-high definition content available is constantly growing. Prices for 4K camcorders are also falling, and a lot of video material is filmed and distributed on their platform. In addition, since 2016, additional sources UHD video - Blu-ray discs. New films are released in 4K resolution on a regular basis.
UHD technologies: HDR
Dynamic range plays a big role in the 4K display world, and for good reason. HDR basically expands the range of bright and dark levels. At the same time, the highlights of color dynamics and saturation are also expanded. The result is more lifelike and much sharper images than standard displays.
Of particular interest to TV manufacturers (and consumers as they experience a new level of realism) is HDR, which can come close to simulating the brightness and depth of real blacks. While there are already models that can create near-perfect black depths without noticeable glow using OLED technology, the brightness of even the most best screens does not exceed 2000 nits. At the same time, on a sunny day, the sky emits about 20,000 nits. Thus, there is still a significant difference.
4K TV makers and the companies behind HDR technology are aiming for 10,000 nits of screen brightness. This complies with one of the HDR standards known as Dolby Vision. Others existing standards (e.g. UHD Premium) require at least 1100 nits.
Color spectrum
Another important aspect of a modern 4K TV is the ability to reproduce the widest possible range of saturated colors for maximum realism and vivid images. Many modern models support the REC.2020 and DCI P3 standards. The former is often used in movie theaters, while the latter has become the current industry standard for UHD. However, 4K content does not fully meet these high demands, and most devices are still based on REC.709, which was designed for legacy HD technology.
The number of colors is also important. Traditionally, most HDTVs and Blu-ray Discs support 8-bit encoding. The latest 4K screens and UHD media sources offer a 10-bit, much wider and smoother range of 1,024 different rGB colors, and a greater degree of realism in the display. Work is underway to switch to 12 bits. This will reproduce 4096 colors - 2 extra digits exponentially increase their number. But so far, the standard for certification of modern TVs is a depth of 10 bits.
Industry standards
In modern TVs, 2 4K display standards are being promoted - High Dynamic Range and Wide Color Gamut. They are called UHD Premium and Dolby Vision. The first one today dominates and is used in many models from brands such as Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, LG and others under the leadership of the UHD Alliance - a consortium of display manufacturers and media companies that have come to an agreement on what HDR should be, color and other specifications to provide the best UHD experience.
Dolby Vision, on the other hand, is developed by Dolby Labs and is a standard for HDR and Wide Color Gamut. It is designed for 12-bit color, 10,000 nits brightness and some other key parameters, so it is not very practical at this time. The standard is supported by few products, such as the LG G6 OLED 4K TV and the Vizio Reference series.
UHD Premium is more popular and is used in the vast majority of TV models and all 4K Blu-ray players.
4K and HDMI
Regular HDMI 1.4 supports 4K, but only at 30fps. It is still a common standard, but in newer models of projectors, TVs and computer monitors, it is giving way to HDMI 2.0, which supports much greater color depth and frame rates. What's more, most modern TVs offer HDR-compliant HDMI 2.0a. It is almost identical to HDMI 2.0, but allows for the transfer of metadata for high dynamic range content. Software earlier models have also been updated to support HDMI 2.0a.
Thus, by purchasing equipment that is equipped with HDMI 2.0 or 2.0a ports, the user gets the opportunity to view content from both next-generation devices and existing sources.
Can I watch HD images on UHD screens?
This is one of the key questions in purchasing 4K projectors and TVs. And the answer is yes. Almost all latest models Not only can they easily reproduce 1080p, 1080i, Blu-ray, HD DVD or even 720p, they also optimize any of these formats for clearer UHD images. While there may be controversy over how much scaling technology improves on regular content, it does become clearer, especially in leading-edge brands that use much more powerful algorithms.
So the bottom line is that the TV displays and even enhances all types of HD media, but for the best quality you will have to purchase the model from the manufacturer whose scaling mechanism is considered to be the best.
Is buying 4K devices worth it?
In all cases, the answer is a firm yes.
If you need a camcorder or still camera that delivers unprecedented picture clarity, 4K devices are the best choice.
If you want your home theater projector to be ready to play movies and streaming video in UHD, it's worth the upgrade to 4K, even if it costs several thousand dollars.
To play the latest games and ultra-high quality web content, you definitely need a 4K monitor resolution. It is also useful for professional designers and architects who are involved in work that requires extremely detailed graphics.
And finally, in terms of the most dominant product on the market, the TV, UHD support will be needed both for watching videos in 4K resolution and for a wide range of entertainment video material, the availability of which is growing every year. In addition, the user benefits from a wide range of related enhancements such as sharpening, rendering and screen technologies that dramatically improve the quality of conventional HD content.
Is 4K for a long time?
This is certainly true. UHD products are evolving much faster and more stable than plasma or still incredibly expensive OLED technology. In fact, Plasma TVs, which for a while were considered the next wave of Ultra HD TVs, have not yet received their proper development as their main manufacturer has discontinued them.
4K holds great promise as new UHD content is constantly emerging and the technology has proven itself well in cameras and film projectors.
Large manufacturers are already working on experimental projects with resolutions above 4K. However, many of the problems that exist with display and streaming must be addressed before 8K becomes a commercial product. So for now, at least for a few years, 4K will continue to evolve. We need to prepare for this, especially since the prices for TVs, cameras and projectors that support UHD technology are constantly falling.
Technological innovations of our time have stepped far forward, making high-quality television available to everyone. Previously, to watch a good film in high quality, people went to cinemas, now cinemas go to everyone's house. It is enough to buy a Full HD TV and the picture on the screen will become clearer. They brought people closer to virtual reality glasses with 3d function. Such an accessory makes any spectator a hero. But technology manufacturers don't stop there. And now, a new "monster" stands out as the leader, striking in its color rendition and clarity. 4K Ultra HD TV - what is it? What is its resolution and what is the reason for such a rush of technology of this kind? TV-PROST specialists have clear and understandable answers to these questions. Prototypes of this series appeared back in 2012, but only now, having gone through various improvements, 4K Ultra HD TV became available to the “ordinary” viewer.
Format features
The main highlight of 4k Ultra HD is its 4x resolution. For example, Full HD has 2 million pixels, and improved 4k already has 8 million pixels. Accordingly, this difference in resolution is reflected in the image quality. That is, 4k television will give a picture 4 times brighter and clearer than Full HD. This feature is also the main difference. Why do you need a TV with this format in everyday life? Naturally in order to look at the screen and observe a high-quality image, with clearly visible small details.
Benefits of format 4k UHD:
- Increased resolution: 3840 * 2160 pixels. Image quality has been improved 4x over 1080p Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels).
- Built-in additional functions. Together with the TV, the user receives various additional featuressuch as HDR support to improve image detail, clarity and saturation.
- Better image scaling. Thanks to the huge 4K Ultra HD resolution, the viewer can see the finest details more clearly, such as eyelashes.
- Refresh rate of images for smooth transition of the picture. This improvement makes it possible for a person's eyes to be less stressed.
The disadvantages of 4K Ultra HD include the paucity of content. In order to fully enjoy this format, a new TV with its support will not be enough. You need relevant content. Those. films, videos, clips, which were originally recorded in the same high resolution. This video, at the beginning of 2017, is not enough. And whatever one may say, to understand, 4k Ultra HD on TV - what it is, without content is impossible. In the Smart TV section of each model there are special services, but they require a subscription, and the variety is not as good as we would like. According to experts, within one or two years, this format will gain even more popularity and completely replace the usual Full HD. The number of 4k films is growing every day.
Leaders and their value
The first 4k Ultra HD TVs were expensive, and the average price for such equipment was cosmic. The price category turned out to be too high for the bulk of buyers, which pushed manufacturers to lower prices. Now, the price of a 4K Ultra HD TV can jump from $ 450 to $ 5000- $ 6000, or even more. As always, it all depends on the diagonal of the screen and the filling of the device. The initial display size is 40 inches and goes up to the largest models. Sony, LG and Samsung became the leaders in the production of 4k TVs. The price of their products is higher than other companies, but there is no doubt about their reliability.
Where to find content?
What about content? Of course, equipment manufacturers have filmed enough material to demonstrate their "brainchild", but the average person wants to watch movies and play games. And then a completely logical question arises: where to get movies for a 4k Ultra HD TV? The bulk of this format can be found in Smart TV services. However, the most popular resources offer to use super-quality images to watch movies and TV series, but pay for a subscription.
- YouTube is the first to bring cool content to the world of high quality cinema. This is where you can watch videos in 4k. To do this, just set the video resolution to 2160p in the settings and enjoy it absolutely free.
- Okko - paid servicewhich offers 4k Ultra HD movies for viewing. Their collection continues to grow.
- Netflix is \u200b\u200ba portal that contains a lot of 4k content. This kind of pleasure costs about $ 12 per month.
- Ivi is also one of the most popular online cinemas. The service offers several 4k movies for free.
- Megogo - Contains a free high quality movie library for UHD. At the end of 2016, Megogo had over 30 films in its arsenal.
The popularity of 4K Ultra HD TVs is pushing manufacturers to make suitable set-top boxes for watching quality TV. But, unfortunately, Blu-Ray has not yet reached the highest point of perfection, although it has come close to 4K.
How to achieve a comfortable viewing experience?
In order for the resulting video not to "slow down" and give all the colors of the image, the Internet speed must be at least 15 megabits / sec. Accordingly, you should purchase a suitable tariff plan... Plus, most of the popular services that offer 4k Ultra HD movies charge a subscription fee.
The connecting cables must be able to withstand all necessary loads and transmit the signal without delay. Will cope with such a mission hDMI cable... You can find out the required connector by looking at the TV case. Most often it is HDMI2.0 or HDMI2.0a. It is recommended that you select a High-Speed \u200b\u200bcable over a standard cable.
For more details, see the video:
Finally
Before purchasing a 4K Ultra HD TV, carefully study all the offers on the technology market. It is best to buy equipment from a well-known manufacturer with positive reviews. Due to the scarcity of content, the new format is not always convenient. The picture transmitted in 4K format differs in quality and is the most comfortable for the human eye. Eyes fatigue less after long viewing due to the smooth transition of the image. The quality and crisp detail are truly amazing. Question: 4K Ultra HD format on TV - what it is, fully considered. It should be noted that manufacturers are already offering excellent equipment in this format.
The video quality on TVs and monitors of new generations is getting better and better. Video resolution plays an important role in this. Increasingly, various advertisements for 4K video are starting to appear in magazines and electronics stores. Today I propose to understand what 4K is?
4K
The high definition television standard 4K Ultra HD TV (or UHD TV) provides high definition images that are four times higher than the 1080p Full HD standard known to many of us. Ultra HD 4K pixel resolution at 16: 9 aspect ratio is 3840 x 2160.
In reality, excellent image clarity is obtained, with excellent detail. This image on the TV screen is perceived in a new way.
The widespread use of the 4K standard requires the replacement of various studio television equipment and not only. Therefore, it will take several years to introduce 4K into our lives. Already, TVs are sold that support Ultra HD resolution, the only thing for them is still difficult to find videos or films. Although something can already be downloaded on the Internet or bought on discs.
Even 1080p content looks much better on Ultra HD screens, so it's worth taking that into account when buying a new TV.
YouTube supports downloading and watching videos in 4K resolution. In order to view the video in 4K resolution, you need to select the 2160p quality in the player settings. To watch such a video smoothly, you need a fairly powerful computer.
