When we are going to buy a new TV or Smart phone we often come across the term 'Resolution'. Resolution is the number of pixels contained in a display. It is expressed in terms of the number of pixels on the horizontal axis and the number on the vertical axis. The sharpness of the image depends on the resolution and the size of the display device.
But what does the terms 4K or UHD, QHD or 2K, Full HD and HD mean? Is 4K four times greater than 1080p? Well sort of.
So let's apprehend various resolutions used by TV/ Smartphone makers in details.
4K or Ultra HD
Let's start form the top of the list in the market 4K. It is new class of high-definition resolution offering unprecedented picture clarity and detail. 4K, Ultra HD or UHD these all refer to the same resolution of (3840 x 2160 pixels, or 4096 x 2160 pixels for cinema screens). Digital Cinema Initiatives have set horizontal resolution as 4,096 pixels and it is known as 4K
Ultra HD TVs aren't technically "4K" since their resolution is 3,840 x 2,160. However, it doesn't matter. It is easier to say 4K than 2,160p or Ultra HD, so whenever anyone runs a survey asking about it, the vast majority prefer to say "4K."
Besides enhancing your viewing experience, higher resolution 4K Ultra HD TVs also allow you to sit closer to a screen and view a larger screen without seeing pixelation of scenes. Due to this manufacturers are able to provide excellent picture quality for larger TV's with screen sizes of 80 inches and above.
2K or QHD
2K refers to 2,000 pixels of horizontal resolution in a video frame. Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) defines 2K resolution standard as 2048×1080. Most digital cinema projectors used in theaters are of 2K resolution.
As 4K has gained the hype, 2k resolution became common in smartphones as every flagship device launched nowadays have a display resolution of 2K thus gaining edge from the competitor's using 1080p as display resolution in there devices.
Full HD
Full HD refers to the resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels thus giving 5 times more details than SD(Standard Definition). It is the standard resolution for Blu-Ray, Digital television, and most HD videos found online. But some user's are confused between the terms 1080i and 1080p so here is the clarification for the same!
The lowercase ‘i’ in 1080i stands for interlaced scan. Whereas lowercase ‘p’ in 1080p stands for progressive scan.
In Interlaced scan one-half of the horizontal pixel rows are refreshed in one cycle and the other half in the next, meaning that two complete scans are required to display the screen image. Thus rendering every line in 1/25th of a second. Odd-numbered lines get painted on the screen first and then even numbered lines. It can create flickering effect on live TV broadcasts such as live sporting events.
Progressive scan renders images sequentially, all at once. This makes for a much smoother image so it doesn't cause flickering effect.
HD
720p usually known as HD or “HD Ready” has a resolution of 1280×720 px. It follows from standard definition and provide more than twice the detail of standard definition, which makes for reasonably sharp video playback on a standard TV. So HD TV will only be able to display video at the resolution of no higher than 720p. Thus if you are streaming 1080p content it wont give you much richer experience but provide the experience of 720p resolution.
CONCLUSION
So weather you buy a 4K, 2K, Full HD or HD TV you can still play the 4K video on lower resolution TV but the TV will not provide you resolution more than its ability.
In terms of picture quality on 24-inch or 26-inch FULL HD or HD screen the difference is negligible unless you are sitting too close. Only on bigger screens ie 32-inches or above you can start to appreciate the benefits of 1080p and moving to 48 inches or above you can reap the benefits of 4K TV.
So now you can take a wise decision while shopping for a new TV/Smartphone.
So let's apprehend various resolutions used by TV/ Smartphone makers in details.
4K or Ultra HD
Let's start form the top of the list in the market 4K. It is new class of high-definition resolution offering unprecedented picture clarity and detail. 4K, Ultra HD or UHD these all refer to the same resolution of (3840 x 2160 pixels, or 4096 x 2160 pixels for cinema screens). Digital Cinema Initiatives have set horizontal resolution as 4,096 pixels and it is known as 4K
Ultra HD TVs aren't technically "4K" since their resolution is 3,840 x 2,160. However, it doesn't matter. It is easier to say 4K than 2,160p or Ultra HD, so whenever anyone runs a survey asking about it, the vast majority prefer to say "4K."
Besides enhancing your viewing experience, higher resolution 4K Ultra HD TVs also allow you to sit closer to a screen and view a larger screen without seeing pixelation of scenes. Due to this manufacturers are able to provide excellent picture quality for larger TV's with screen sizes of 80 inches and above.
2K or QHD
2K refers to 2,000 pixels of horizontal resolution in a video frame. Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) defines 2K resolution standard as 2048×1080. Most digital cinema projectors used in theaters are of 2K resolution.
As 4K has gained the hype, 2k resolution became common in smartphones as every flagship device launched nowadays have a display resolution of 2K thus gaining edge from the competitor's using 1080p as display resolution in there devices.
Full HD
Full HD refers to the resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels thus giving 5 times more details than SD(Standard Definition). It is the standard resolution for Blu-Ray, Digital television, and most HD videos found online. But some user's are confused between the terms 1080i and 1080p so here is the clarification for the same!
The lowercase ‘i’ in 1080i stands for interlaced scan. Whereas lowercase ‘p’ in 1080p stands for progressive scan.
In Interlaced scan one-half of the horizontal pixel rows are refreshed in one cycle and the other half in the next, meaning that two complete scans are required to display the screen image. Thus rendering every line in 1/25th of a second. Odd-numbered lines get painted on the screen first and then even numbered lines. It can create flickering effect on live TV broadcasts such as live sporting events.
Progressive scan renders images sequentially, all at once. This makes for a much smoother image so it doesn't cause flickering effect.
720p usually known as HD or “HD Ready” has a resolution of 1280×720 px. It follows from standard definition and provide more than twice the detail of standard definition, which makes for reasonably sharp video playback on a standard TV. So HD TV will only be able to display video at the resolution of no higher than 720p. Thus if you are streaming 1080p content it wont give you much richer experience but provide the experience of 720p resolution.
CONCLUSION
So weather you buy a 4K, 2K, Full HD or HD TV you can still play the 4K video on lower resolution TV but the TV will not provide you resolution more than its ability.
In terms of picture quality on 24-inch or 26-inch FULL HD or HD screen the difference is negligible unless you are sitting too close. Only on bigger screens ie 32-inches or above you can start to appreciate the benefits of 1080p and moving to 48 inches or above you can reap the benefits of 4K TV.
So now you can take a wise decision while shopping for a new TV/Smartphone.
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