Cord cutters may be seeing a clearer picture in the coming years as 8K technology advances to replace 4K. Television manufacturers have planned on making 8K the future of display resolution, but is now the right time to upgrade your 4K TV to the newest 8K model? Here are the answers to some common questions about 8K.
#1 What is 8K Ultra HD?
8K Ultra HD gets its name from the width of the estimated 8,000 pixels (7680 x 4320 to be exact) that it takes to make up an image or display resolution in ultra-high-definition. Known as the industry’s successor to 4K, the nearly 33 million pixels that create an 8K image is nearly quadruple the amount it takes to display a 4K image.
#2 Do more pixels mean a vastly superior picture?
Vastly? No, not for most people. Since there is an abundance of pixels on an 8K Ultra HD television, to maximize your viewing experience you either need a bigger TV or you have to sit close to the screen. Unfortunately, this is a case of too much of a good thing because the human eye isn’t able to make out the difference between 4K and 8K on smaller TVs or at a casual viewing distance. Home-theater aficionados who replicate the movie theater experience inside their home then 8K will be a perfect fit for you.
#3 What should a home-theater aficionado look for in an 8K Ultra HD TV?
If you’re hosting friends for the big game, movie night, gaming, or a quarantine binge then an 8K Ultra HD TV will make your place the go-to spot for entertainment. When it comes to selecting the perfect 8K television just remember the old adage of “size matters” because you’re going to want a display of at least 70 inches to take advantage of the spectacular resolution. Earlier this year, Samsung announced their lineup of 8K options and they do offer a 65 inch, but it’s not recommended to get anything smaller than that. Simply put, it’s go big or go home when it comes to 8K for now, with time things could possibly change.
#4 What changes are we seeing in the industry?
When LG revealed the world’s first industry certified 8K Ultra HD television it made the world take notice that the future of television was here. Mobile phones such as Samsung’s Galaxy S20 has 8K video recording capabilities. Filmmakers are pursuing 8K cameras to record more vibrant videos which benefits current 4K displays as well. Both the Playstation 5 and the XBOX Series X will support 8K graphics. Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, Vegas Pro, Lightworks, and other major non-linear editing software will allow users to edit 8K video. With all these changes there are few concerns when it comes to 8K.
#5 What can I watch in 8K?
Content is king and as of now, there isn’t much content available in 8K. Currently, most households have 4K or Full HD 1080p capabilities when it comes to consuming entertainment and this is one of 8K’s biggest hurdles. Most streaming services offer Ultra HD content for an additional price for those with 4K and the price point for 8K is yet to be seen. Just like cord cutters, those who watch broadcast television are also waiting for 8K content to become widely available.
#6 Are there bandwidth concerns?
Like 4K, 8K will also take a lot of bandwidth for cord-cutters because there is a lot of information to process. You’ll have to upgrade your bandwidth if you’re thinking about upgrading to 8K to get your money’s worth. We’re a few years aways from technological advances that’ll let you use half the bandwidth to stream 8K and 4K quality.
#7 How much does an 8K Ultra HD TV cost?
Before you upgrade your bandwidth, it’ll be best to do your due diligence to shop around for the 8K TV that’ll fit your budget. Like all televisions, the price will vary based on the size of the display, and the range can be quite broad. Samsung offers a 55-inch for around $2,500 and a 98-inch for around $60,000. The higher side isn’t an outlier because Sony offers a similar 98-inch going for the same price.
#8 Should you upgrade?
If you can afford to do so or if you’re the home-theater aficionado then the 8K Ultra HD TV experience may be perfect for you. For everyone else, right now, might not be the best time to upgrade to 8K. The content is limited due to there not being much created or retrofitted for 8K. Even with a pixel count of 33 million, we’re still in the current generation of 4K. It may be a few years until 8K becomes widely accessible. Once that happens then it may be worth upgrading, but until then enjoy your 4K and make the most out of it.
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