8K UHD TVs

About 8K UHD TVs

Since the first appearance of HD TVs and projectors, the resolution keeps growing while the advanced technology offers a series of additional, convenient advantages. For illustration, the fresh 8K TV technology provides four times the picture quality of a 4K TV and over 30 times more pixels than original HD TVs. 

8K Ultra HD TVs Resolution

The 8K UHD TV features 7680×4320 pixels, the density which allows the manufacturing of substantial TV screen diameters with no compromise on image quality. Quite the contrary, 8K Ultra HD TVs supported by HDR technology deliver a more superior experience than other HD TVs in every aspect and size.  

Types of 8K UHD TVs 

There are two main types of TV displays, distinguished by lighting technology. 

• LCD, LED, and QLED TVs all belong to the transmissive type. They rely on a backlight to provide the image, a light source that passes through the layers of pixels and colour filters. 
• MicroLED and OLED TVs are in the emissive category. Their pixels produce their own light. 

Q in QLED TVs stands for quantum dots, a film added to the standard LCD screen sandwich. It is placed between the LCD layer and the backlight. Once triggered by LED backlight, the quantum dots release their own, coloured light that defines the display on the screen. A stronger backlight will produce exceptionally vibrant images. 

8K OLED TVs rely on light-emitting diodes and a single backlight. The light flows through polarised layers and filters, lighting up each pixel separately. As a result, the OLED technology delivers clear contrasts and vivid colours. 

The lighting technology is not directly related to screen resolution. It can be found in both 4K Ultra HD or 8K Ultra HD TVs.

8K Ultra HD TV Size

8K resolution can work on any size of the screen available on the market, and then some more. However, there is no point to go for that cost level without a chance to enjoy its advantages properly. A screen of 50 inches or less will not display quality enhancements to showcase any difference between 8K and 4K UHD TV, for example. 

The best 8K TVs will be a lot larger than 50 inches, though, extending to any limit that’s able to showcase all the pixels.

The limiting factor here may be the available room space. A recommended angle and distance for the supreme viewing experience require ample space in order to enjoy the 8K television in full. A 100-inch TV needs about 3m distance for watching, and the range keeps growing further with larger TV sizes - specifically, 1.2 times the screen diagonal. 

8K TVs HDR Technology

HDR or “high-dynamic range” supports other major features of 8K TVs to deliver visible improvement of overall picture quality. It’s characterised by vibrant images, high brightness levels, sharp contrast, and a more prominent hue range. 

A variety of HDR formats available on the market include HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 .

While there are many differences in quality between models and designs, compatibility is the key. 8K TV and all fitting entertainment units should support the same HDR format to produce the best result.

8K UHD TV for Gaming

Besides movies, one of the most exciting features of 8K is its potential as a gaming TV. Major console manufacturers already announced that their next-generation gaming consoles - starting from PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X - will be ready for outputting 8K resolution through updates.

While all - or most of - the games will work on standard HD, Full HD, and higher resolution TVs, some will be specifically written to take maximum advantage of the 8K display. However, that is not going to happen fast, and compatibility will always be a factor. The screen resolution must agree with the console resolution in order to render the game at its full capacity. 

Besides the standard gaming stand of ‘the larger, the better”, one of the biggest 8K TV advantages is the refresh rate. Its advanced chipsets make them exceptionally fast, eliminating the risk of game lags.

8K UHD Smart TVs

A smart TV uses Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable - or both - to connect to the Internet and various streaming services and applications. In addition, 8K UHD Smart TVs feature a range of built-in streaming apps, such as YouTube, Netflix, HBO, Hulu, and others.

The key difference between models is in the manufacturer’s software, the interface it offers and the convenience of use.

• LG incorporates its own WebOS
• Samsung uses Tizen operating system
• Others, like Toshiba and Hisense, prefer the simple and convenient Roku interface for all TV’s functions.
• Amazon and Apple do not fall back, offering Amazon’s Fire TV streaming platform, while some new TV models feature Apple AirPlay 2 to enable compatibility with Apple devices.

Things to Consider When Buying 8K UHD TVs

The connectivity is an essential detail for 8K media streamers and gaming consoles. While the HDMI 2.1 connector is capable of supporting 8K resolutions, new standards are coming, and the wide adoption of 8K might bring brand new ports. 

However, all major 8K TV manufacturers have announced that their models will have HDMI 2.1 inputs as standards. Their capability includes the 48Mbps bandwidth, 8K at 60 fps and 4K at 120 fps, with higher-bandwidth HDMI cables expected in the near future. 

A soundbar designed for use with 8K UHD TVs is worth considering for composing a fuller home audio system.