If you're only just getting used to the idea of 4K TV, then we've got bad news for you –
2018 is the year that 8K will go live on the market! If you thought 4K was a marvel, then your world is going to be turned upside down!
It has recently been confirmed that this is the year 8K will become available to buy (possibly as soon as March!). We think it’s fair to say that 4K resolution is now, essentially, mainstream. That’s not to say that we’re all watching everything in 4K, just that it is on the list of considerations when buying a new TV. And, because of the likes of Amazon, Netflix and YouTube, there is now a huge amount of 4K content available to watch! But, as usual in the world of consumer technology, there is always a new kid on the block just around the corner.
In this instance, the new kid is 8K….
But, what is 8K?
Let’s strip it down to the basics. When we discuss HD, 4K, UHD, we are talking about the resolution of a screen. In short – this means the amount of horizontal and vertical pixels present. Pixels equal information, so the higher number of pixels means a higher quality image.
To give you a clearer idea:
- Full HD contains 1920 horizontal lines & 1080 vertical lines (1080p).
- 4K has four times the horizontal and vertical lines of HD (3840 x 2160)
- And 8K has double the amount of 4K (7680 x 4320)
So – 8K has a whopping 16 times as many pixels as Full HD!
That does not mean, however, that 8K is 16 times better or clearer than HD. It is merely referring to the amount of pixels that are present on the screen. This allows the darks to be an incredible amount darker and the colours to be beautifully bright and vibrant.
8K TVs are still the fodder of tradeshows at this precise moment in time, but there are a couple of manufacturers who have confirmed they will be bringing their models to the market at some point before the end of the year.
In terms of 8K content – most developments have been in filmmaking and TV broadcasting. The likes of Netflix and YouTube were, of course, quick out of the blocks when it came to 4K content, and now streaming site Vimeo has jumped aboard with 8K. A recent update adds support for HDR and 8K resolution videos. Naturally, you will need an 8K screen to really take advantage.
As with every new technology, the starting price will be astronomical, so keep cool and focus on 4K for now. But, before you know it, 8K will be mainstream and our eyes will be in high resolution heaven!
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