4K vs. UHD – Find out if these standard resolutions are any different

Are you ready to replace your current television set with a more modern one? You should learn more about the different resolution standards used in modern TVs such as 4K and UHD.

Resolution standards used in TVs keep on changing rapidly. A few years back, most TVs used HD, but this was soon replaced by ultra HD. Most TVs nowadays use 4K resolution while a few are based on 8k. Most buyers get confused with such abbreviations when searching for the right television set.

Understanding how 4k differs from UHD can help you choose the right TV for your home. Though some people use 4K and UHD interchangeably, they are not the same. UHD is a broadcast standard, while 4K is a cinema standard. Learn more about how these two standard resolutions compare.

What are the differences between 4k and UHD?

Resolution standard	4K	UHD
No of pixels	4096 x 2160	·         3840 x 2160 pixels for UHDTV1 ·         7680 x 4320 pixels for UHDTV2.
Purpose	Cinematic	Consumer
Picture quality	Normal	Enhanced
Aspect ratio	1: 9: 1	16: 9
Call to action	Check price here	Check price here

4k vs. UHD- How do they compare?

Number of pixels

These two resolution standards have differing pixels. 4K TV has a vertical resolution f 2160 pixels and a horizontal resolution of 4096 pixels. On the other hand, the standard UHD has a horizontal resolution of 3840 pixels and a vertical resolution of 2160 pixels. Since UHD contains fewer horizontal pixels than 4K, it cannot achieve a similar resolution to a 4K TV set. UHDTV1 has 256 pixels less than 4K, and thus it gives 4K a slight edge.

Purpose

The current standard that is used in digital projection and edition is 4K. In this resolution standard, the aspect ratio is 1: 9: 1, which is the standard ratio ideal for cinematic shooting. While 4K is mainly used for cinematic purposes, the UHD standard is used for consumer purposes. This is the standard that most televisions use. UHD resolution has an aspect ratio of 16:9. They, therefore, have differing purposes.

Picture quality

UHD TV manufacturers try to take the content to a higher level and thus improve the picture quality of such television sets. Choosing a UHD TV can help you enjoy better picture quality than a 4K TV. A UHD TV is, therefore, better since it can deliver sharper and more detailed images than 4K.

4k vs. UHD – A comparison overview

4K

This is the cinema terminology that denotes the resolution of 4096 x 2160 pixels. The resolution is commonly used in motion picture studios specializing in digital production.4K resolution is at least four times higher than the standard that was previously used in digital editing, known as 2K. The 2K standard operates at the resolution of 1080 x 2048 pixels. In 4K standard, the horizontal pixel count is 4096, while the vertical pixel count is 2160.

Pixels are the blocks that create an image. They contain different color values that create an image. When buying a 4K TV, you should pay attention to the pixel specification and other factors since this is not the only element that indicates the sharpness of an image on a TV screen. Apart from being a resolution, this standard is also used to show how 4K content is often encoded.

Though most TV manufacturers use the 4K and UHD terms as the same, you can still find a few displays that strictly use the true 4K resolution, such as 4K gaming monitors. If you are not sure whether the display you want to buy is UHDTV1 or 4K, you should look at the maximum resolution that it supports. Since 4K TVs have more pixels, they tend to handle color better. 3D objects, therefore, look better on a 4K TV. For you to enjoy the color benefit, your native 4K source has to be pristine.

Pros

• It can deliver a cinematic experience
• Makes 3D better
• Affordable cost

Cons

• It does not deliver the best picture quality.

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UHD

This standard resolution stands for ultra-high definition. It replaced Full HD, which was commonly used in TVs a few years back. Unlike full HD, which comprises of 1920 x 1080 pixels, UHD quadruples this resolution. In the UHD standard, the horizontal pixel count is 3840, while the vertical pixel count is 2160. Most of the TVs that manufacturers advertise as 4K are UHD. Choosing a television that uses the UHD resolution can help you enjoy enhanced picture quality.

The ultra-high-definition is often divided into different parts, namely UHDTV2 and UHDTV1. The UHDTV1 is the one that is based on the 3840 x 2160 pixels. The UHDTV2 operates at a higher resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels. This is commonly referred to as Quad Ultra High definition. The UHDTV2 has a high resolution than 8K.

Consumer devices that are based on the UHD resolution use the 16:9 ratio. Even if you choose a UHDTV1 that delivers 4K content, the TV software has to cut the extra pixels to maintain this ratio. Since most UHD televisions are big, you should have enough space in your home for this set. The large screen set can offer beautiful images in more detail to keep you fully entertained. Since such TVs come at a high cost, you should try to compare UHD TVs from different manufacturers to find one within your budget.

Pros

• Such TVs deliver sharp images and excellent picture quality.
• Big size options
• Offers smooth transitions between scenes
• No eye strain even when you watch it very close.
• Offers lots of content

Cons

• Has a high cost

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Conclusion

TV resolutions keep on getting better within a short duration. A resolution standard that may be considered excellent today can easily become outdated within a few years.  The common standards used are HD, Full HD, 4K, and UHD.

Verdict: So, which is better? 4k or UHD

We took our time to compare 4K against UHD and noticed some technical differences. For instance, 4K has 256 pixels more than UHD. Though this gives it a slight edge, UHD TVs still offer better picture quality compared to 4K ones. 4K is the standard resolution that is mostly used for cinema purposes, while UHD is used in most television sets.

Though 4K has a higher resolution than UHDTV1, we realized that UHD TVs have more to offer. They not only display sharp images but also come in all kinds of sizes. Even if you choose to sit close to a UHD TV, you will not experience any eye strain since it does not have any pixelation effect. UHD TVs also offer a lot of content and have a smooth transition between scenes. The enhanced experience that we get from using UHD made us conclude this standard resolution to be the clear winner.

FAQS

Which UHD TV should I consider buying?

Look for one from well-known brands such as LG, Samsung,Sony, or TCL.

Can all 4K televisions support 4K streaming?

Yes.  Most of the modern 4K televisions that came out from 2013 can handle 4K streams. You can therefore use such a TV to watch 4K content on services such as Netflix.