What Is 8K TV?
When it comes to TV resolution battles, With more TV makers than ever looking to futuristic ultra-high resolution technologies for today's premium television sets, when the world thought 4K was the be-all and end-all, 8K arrived to blow us away once more. But when it comes to an understanding of what precisely 8K means? The answer isn't that straightforward.
what is 8K TV?
The 8K TV is the highest resolution TV that has been released recently among UHD (ultra-high definition) TVs. An 8K TV has a screen with 7,680 horizontal and 4,320 vertical pixels for a total of approximately 33 million pixels. In 8K TVs, pixels are so small they cannot be distinguished even from close up, making highly detailed images a reality. 8K is four times the resolution of 4K and 16 times more pixels than 1080p. While 4K is 3,840 x 2,160 pixels, 8K moves up to 7,680 x 4,320.
You could put 16 full-resolution 1080p videos on an 8K screen at the same time with no loss of quality. But don't think that's just about pixels-this is also about HDR-high dynamic range-too. 8K TVs are getting sharper and more affordable--but still pretty expensive. You can expect to hear more from the 8K Association—a community of TV makers that includes Samsung, Panasonic, Hisense, TCL, and AU Optronics. The Association was set up to guide the visual standards of the future and has introduced a new 8K standard.
What is the significance of the name 8K?
The specification is known as 8K since the images are around 8,000 pixels wide, give or take a few hundred, but the specification also falls under the umbrella term of Ultra HD, so some people refer to it as Ultra HD 8K. Others still refer to it as 8K Super Hi-Vision, including NHK, Japan's largest public broadcaster, which invented it in 2000 and marketed it in 2012.
Why do you need an 8K TV?
With 4K HDR now widely available, the case for 8K is difficult to make. More pixels mean more visible detail as the screen gets larger-and you stay in the same position. As the level of detail grows, you can sit and marvel in front of a massive image that seems to encompass you. Large 8K TVs offer a natural advantage here since they increase the angles at which light enters your eyes. This, in turn, can improve the difference between foreground and backdrop, giving graphics more of a pop, and providing a more immersive viewing experience.
Who is making 8K TVs?
There's no shortage of 8K options, and prices are starting to get much more reasonable. If you're after an 8K TV, Samsung is probably going to be one of the more affordable options. Other brands like TCL, Toshiba, and Hisense also offer 8K in-built TVs.
Is it worth buying an 8K TV?
Because there isn't much 8K material to watch on them, 8K TVs aren't as great as you might imagine. In most cases, the best you can get is 4K, so all those extra pixels on an 8K TV won't be exploited to their full capacity. While the latest gaming systems may ultimately support 8K (maybe), 8K games are virtually non-existent today.