If you’ve visited a tech site or read a tech gadget magazine recently, you’ve no doubt come across talk of 4K and how it’s set to revolutionise TV viewing.
The uninitiated may be wondering exactly what is 4K and why it’s got tech fundis everywhere excited. Wonder no more because we’ve got all you need to know about the next generation of video imaging.
4K is a blanket term that covers any device that has a resolution of 4 000 pixels. The term is used mostly to refer to ultra-high definition TVs but cameras, computer screens and cell phones can also have 4K resolution.
Full HD peaks at 1 080p so 4K is a massive jump in resolution, offering four times the number of pixels. This means 4K screens can produce 8 million pixels in the same amount of space as Full HD, which leads to a greater array of colours and a much sharper contrast.
Smartphones have already been harnessing 4K technology to allow users to shoot videos and photos in incredible resolution. LG’s G Pro 2 is one such phone, boasting the ability to capture images with a resolution of 4160 x 3120 and 4K videos at 30fps. Videos and photos recorded on such devices look amazing, with plenty of fine detail and lifelike colours.
Most people’s first taste of this impressive technology will be through ultra-HD television, which is set to replace full HD as the standard over the coming years. We all love bigger screens but today’s full HD televisions are reaching their technological limits when it comes to screen size. It’s simply impossible to make bigger 1080p screens without experiencing a resultant loss of picture quality.
As 4K packs more pixels per square inch, manufacturers can create screens many inches bigger than current HD models, without losing picture quality. Imagine watching the big game on a mind-blowing 84 inch TV – with LG’s ultra-HD televisions that range from 49 to 84 inches large, you can do just that.
You don’t just watch a show on a 4K screen. You become part of it. It’s indisputable that ultra-HD televisions offer the most immersive viewing experience ever seen, particularly when coupled with high-end sound systems. LG partners with luxurious audio brand Harman/Kardon to provide high quality stereophonic sound that lives up to the visuals.
Imagine watching a movie at the cinema. Now, imagine watching that same movie in the comfort of your own living room, with the same picture quality and depth of colour. ultra-HD brings the movie theatre right into your living room.
We’re starting to see the rollout of 4K content. Providers such as Netflix and Amazon are choosing to stream some of their most popular TV shows in gorgeous 4K. Broadcasters are heavily preparing for the coming standardisation of ultra-HD televisions and will eventually begin to offer native content in the best resolution possible. A new generation of 4K capable Blu-ray players is expected to hit the market in the near future.
Not that ultra-HD screens need native 4K content to look good. Ultra-HD televisions come with powerful upscaling technology that can make non 4K content look almost as good as the real thing. LG’s range of Ultra HD TVs come with specialised In-Plane Switching (IPS) panels for 4K that result in clear, colour-accurate images and deliver amazing imagery from any viewing angle.
If you haven’t been converted to watching in 3D yet, you will with ultra-HD, which provides a more immersive 3D experience due to its superior picture quality. Combined with flicker-free FPR technology, you’ll enjoy comfortable and realistic 3D that places you in the heart of the action.
It’s no wonder that tech publications agree that screens are rapidly heading toward 4K. Many consumers have seen the light and have already invested in the new generation of 4K-enabledTVs. LG Ultra HD is the perfect place to start for anyone looking to experience this astonishing new technology.
