KanexPro Support Assistant

Describe your setup, the part number, and what you are seeing.

Before we start

So the team can follow up if this needs a person.

Used only to follow up on this request. See our Privacy Policy.

General enquiry

Tell us what you need and the right person will come back to you.

Used only to answer you. See our Privacy Policy.

Guides

4K Vs. 1080p: What's the Difference?

concept image of 4k vs 1080 definition

New TV sets can be set up with 1080p resolution or 4K resolution. Those in the market for a new television may feel overwhelmed by the array of audio-visual systems available to them at the store. When it comes down to it, customers often find themselves having to pick between a 4K screen or a 1080p TV.

4K Vs. 1080p: What's the Difference?

The big question is about 4K vs. 1080p: What's the difference? Are additional products such as the 4K HDMI extender able to increase the resolution of your TV? Let's look at the different resolution options and see what they all mean.

4K and 1080p, Explained

The number of pixels in a frame is the video resolution. The higher resolution you choose, the more detailed your video will be and the more realistic it will appear. Video resolution refers to the measurement of how many pixels are in 16:9 (the standard aspect ratio for television and computer monitors).

It should be noted that both 1080p and 4k refer to the number of pixels in the resolution. 1080p is the vertical number of pixels that run across the screen, counting 1080 in total. 4K refers to the number of pixels going horizontally, of which there are 4000.

In total, in the 16/9 aspect ratio:

  • 1080p has 1920 pixels horizontally and 1080 vertically
  • 4k has 3840 pixels horizontally and 2160 vertically

4k video has more than 8 million pixels, whereas 1080p only has 2 million pixels. This allows for finer rendering of feathers and hair, as well as greater quality when viewing the footage close up.

Why 4K Video is Better Than 1080p

4K is clearly better than 1080P for picture quality. There are many reasons. These factors include the fact that 4K can render extra fine detail and you can see it when you are closer to the screen. From a production standpoint, the ability to scale the recording down to regular HD while still maintaining the high contrast and highly detailed quality of the original - especially when viewed up-close.

These are the top three reasons why 4K video is better than 1080P:

Closer Viewing

The 4K resolution is a significant increase in resolution compared to 1080P. This allows viewers to enjoy a clearer image while being closer to large screens. A 4K TV can be viewed at twice the distance of a regular TV. This is because 4K can be enjoyed at its best when you are closer to the TV. Sitting further back will often result in less enjoyment, although you still have access to its incredible clarity regardless of distance.

Detail Resolution

Ultra High Definition televisions with 4K technology can reproduce the most intricate details in a noticeable higher contrast manner than 1080P. This is due to quadruple the pixels compared to 1080P. This is the most important advantage of the 4K video.

Scaling Down

Sometimes, a recording may need to be reduced to a lower resolution. If the recording is 4K, it may be necessary to scale down to 2K high-resolution output. When comparing the 4K video with the 2K footage, it is evident that the video quality has improved.

Find the Best 4K and 1080p Options Today!

It can be difficult to determine the best resolution TV for you. Before you make your decision, it is important to determine your budget and your preferences. Other devices and products that can improve the quality of your audio visual systems should be considered as well. Get in touch with our Kanex Pro experts today to get all of your questions answered about your screen resolution needs.