5 December 2018
Many people buying a new UHD (Ultra High Definition) 4k Smart Television are disappointed when they get home and find it doesn’t look as impressive as it did in the store. Most people live with this disappointment and don’t realise they are not getting the 4k (3840 x 2160 pixels) picture they paid for. To see a 4K resolution picture on a 4K television set you need to be aware of the following:
Video Source:
UHD 4k video sources include some Netflix movies, (streaming on a 25meg internet line), some video game consoles, some Blu-ray players, smartphones and tablets. DStv and OpenView HD decoders do not show UHD 4k video. Outdated video sources do not support 4K viewing. eg. Xbox One X and One S and the PS4 Pro support 4K while the Switch, the original Xbox One and PS4 and the PS4 Slim do not.
Components:
All your hardware components need to be able to handle 4K video content. You should keep in mind that the components between the source and screen such as the HDMI cables and Soundbar should also be 4K capable for you to enjoy 4K viewing. HDMI cables manufactured after 2009 are 4K ready, and if you have older cables or cheap imports, it is a good idea to replace them as high-quality cables are a must.
Brand Names:
4K video content is subject to HDCP 2.2 copy protection. Brand Name manufacturers provide support via their later 4K models, but should you have a no-name brand component (including your TV) you should check the documentation to ensure that it supports HDCP 2.2
Viewing Distance:
Even with all the correct components and a 4k video source, many people who purchase a 4K TV will still not view 4k picture quality on the TV screen due to the viewing distance. (most people sit too far away from their Television). This is not the TV’s fault because the TV is displaying a proper UHD 4K picture that is both sharper and clearer than conventional HD (1080 x 1920 pixels) The biomechanics of the human eye is the cause of this problem. Human eyes with perfect 20/20 vision are incapable of resolving all the detail in a UHD 4K image at the distance many people sit from their TV. The same applies to HD 1080 viewing although the distances are further. Below is a chart showing the maximum distance you can sit from your TV without losing picture resolution.
Optimum Viewing Distance Chart
By sitting at the optimal distance, you will see all the detail in the picture, if you’re looking at a 4K picture, it will look much better than it would at 1080p. As your eyes move further away from the screen, the detail from the 4K image is lost.