Is it Worth Buying an 8K TV? Understanding 8K Content

By Derek Self

Those stunning retail displays of hyper-resolution 8K TVs make it easy to want this new technology in your living room. But with high prices and limited 8K video content available, is now the right time to invest? Here’s what you need to know about 8K technology, so you can make an informed decision.

What is 8K?

Yes, 8K is more: It refers to the display resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels—that’s approximately 33.2 megapixels per frame, or four times the resolution of 4K video. The difference compared to the old standard is even more striking: 8K delivers 16 times the resolution of standard HD. To put this in perspective, it’s like having 16 1080p HD TVs combined into one display. The level of detail is so intense that it creates an almost three-dimensional effect without special glasses.

The reality of watching an 8K TV

The jump from 4K to 8K resolution video is stunning—that is, if you can actually see it. At typical viewing distances, you’ll need a very large screen (75 inches and up) to fully realize the difference. These massive screens are built to maintain crystal-clear image quality at such large sizes.

Popular brands like LG, Sony and Samsung introduced their first 8K models last January at CES, complete with quantum technology for brighter displays and enhanced color quality.

The current state of 8K content and real-time streaming

Native 8K content is still relatively scarce. Real-time streaming 8K live video is particularly challenging, requiring massive bandwidth and sophisticated compression technology. YouTube supports 8K uploads, and a few streaming services are experimenting with 8K content, but it’s not yet mainstream. This mirrors the early days of 4K, which took several years to become widely available after 4K TVs hit the market.

The future of 8K content

The entertainment industry is gradually moving toward 8K production. Major film studios are already shooting in 8K resolution video, even if they’re not yet releasing in that format. The first film to be shot in 8K was James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” in 2017. Even though the technology was not yet available, Gunn and Marvel Studios were able to future-proof their film by making sure it was 8K-ready when the tech became available. Real-time streaming 8K live video will become more feasible as compression technologies improve. Gaming is another frontier, with 8K-compatible gaming consoles and high-end PCs beginning to support 8K resolution.

The power of upscaling

Native 8K resolution video content isn’t absolutely necessary to utilize the benefits of 8K TVs. These TVs use advanced upscaling technology powered by AI to enhance lower-resolution content. How does upscaling work? AI capability is built into most 8K TVs through sophisticated processors with hundreds of neural networks. The AI allows the TV to analyze and enhance the images in real time, adding detail and clarity that weren’t previously visible in either 4K or 1080p. Even though upscaling is not true 8K, the approximation, especially on large screens, is impressive.

Tips for success in your 8K purchase

If an 8K TV is in your near future, keep these few tips in mind:

• Upgrade to a fast internet connection. Install a fiber connection for smooth real-time streaming of 8K live video.
• Purchase an 8K TV 75 inches and up. After evaluating in-store 65-inch 8K TVs, it was clear that size matters. This makes sense: More pixels need room to make a clear impact.
• Plan to upscale for a while. Not enough 8K content currently exists to fully utilize 8K screens. However, if you’re comfortable with upscaling, you’ll be ahead of the curve once the majority of content graduates to 8K display.

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Product features and availability may have changed and are subject to change.