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4K TV vs. 1080p HD Resolution; 4320p vs. 1080p; High Definition vs. Ultra Definition TV

2 Million Pixels vs. 8 Million pixels

Robert Wiley, Editor

Several manufacturers are pushing the ultra definition UD TV resolutions for this year. Whether or not these will just be prototypes or the televisions and displays will come to market remains to be seen. The difference between these two technologies in practical terms is simply a differential in overall pixel count with HD 1080p resolution containing just over 2 million pixels. UD 4320p or similar resolution displays contain over 8 million pixels – therefore each pixel will normally be quite a lot smaller and may be termed a micro-pixel.

A very good incoming television signal these days has a 1080p HD signal resolution. That's about the highest we see from BluRay players or from the best broadcast HD signals. And you know it looks fantastic – especially when matched with a 1080p resolution display. So why the higher resolution of UD TVs?

3D Considerations

The reason currently is 3D programming. Passive 3D even more specifically. With Ultra Def pixel resolution the viewer can still see 1080p resolution to each eye rather than half the resolution available with a native 1080p panel. This also helps tremendously with the quality of 2D to 3D conversion technology which manufacturers are struggling to improve.

Upconversion of 1080p or 720p Signals to 4K

What about non-3D signals? How well does the television or monitor up convert the signal to UD resolution? This is the major question surrounding 2D programming and to some extent 3D programming as well unless you can get your hands on a 3D movie displayed at UD resolution. The television will have to significantly increase the signal resolution in order to display it. It may look good with 1080p source material but then what about nasty old standard definition signals? How will the conversion handle that? Probably pretty rough would be my guess. As we saw with HD TVs when the 1080p resolution was first introduced, the availability of matching resolution content is what often determines whether or a new technology takes off.

4K Picture Detail

Recently, when we viewed some of the new 4K Televisions we were very impressed with the quality of the definition in the picture. As the manufacturers of these televisions stated – they are attempting to create a picture that is lifelike. The up-conversion of the signals is incredible as the goal is to take a normal 1080p or 720p signal and take it all the way to a 4K resolution in perfect form with not visible motion artifacts or judder. In other words, television manufacturers have been able to significantly improve the way TVs up-convert with the internal video chip processing and this is one of the advancements that are helping them to become confident that 4K is a real possibility.

3D vs. 4K Will 4K put 3D out of business?

The picture is so good at times with 4K or 8K that it may render 3D obsolete just as it is putting its feet on the ground. From my viewing, the picture is so good from a good 4K TV that it's lifelike – in other words it looks 3D without the special technologies required to make a 3D picture. This would certainly be my preference – No glasses needed. What we all want is the most realistic on screen TV picture possible – not a contrived 3D picture – but a real 3D picture.

Manufacturers On Board

Pansonic, LG, Sharp and others have all produced 4K panels in prototype at this point. Sharp states that they will ship their first 4K television later this year. This technology may actually make it to market if they can keep the price reasonable...

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