Self-test: can you really see better in 4K?
20.10.2016
Translation: machine translated
4K is four times Full HD. So the difference must be enormous, right? I made a direct comparison between my old Full HD TV and my new 4K TV. Here are the results.
In order to put 4K and Full HD head-to-head, I compared my old and new TVs using, on both sets, 4K Blu-ray, Netflix streaming content and whatever else I could get my hands on.
Here are the two candidates:
Native 4K vs Full HD
Image source: Netflix
I've helped myself to Netflix's 4K material and have to say the difference isn't as easy to tell. Luke Cage's 4K picture is a little sharper. While certain details sometimes disappear on the Full HD device, everything remains clear in 4K. But you really have to look hard. Even when you pay attention to the characters in the background, both versions are generally well legible.
Natives 4K vs upscaled Full HD
Image source: Netflix and cable TV
Full HD blu-ray vs 4K streaming
Image source: Blu-ray and Netflix
4K is more detailed and the textures definitely finer, but as soon as the picture changes quickly, all the detail disappears, here too. This is clearly seen on faces. In 4K streaming, you can see the pores, whereas in Full HD, the skin is smoother. However, Blu-ray sound is better. Only Blu-ray supports lossless audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD.
Full HD Blu-ray vs 4K Blu-ray
Image source: Blu-ray
The 4K Blu-ray is more detailed, but again, you have to look hard. In "Mad Max: Fury Road" (apparently filmed in 2K) the HDR is added to the 4K, offering a better colour balance. On my old plasma, colours were very bright - too bright. These differences can only be seen in direct comparison. Overall, both versions prove that investing in Blu-ray is well worth it.
4K Blu-ray vs 4K streaming
Image source: Blu-ray and Netflix
It's hard to say. Blu-ray still looks a little better. But depending on the film or series you can hardly see any difference. What streaming lacks is HD sound.
Gaming: 4K vs Full HD upconversion
Image source: Xbox One and Xbox One S
Games are the perfect opportunity to compare resolutions. "Gears of War 4" or "Battlefield 1" really do look a bit better on the 4K TV. Textures are sharper and everything looks "cleaner". Before slaughtering monsters with a chainsaw, that is.
Gaming: native 4K vs Full HD
Image source: Nvidia Shield Android TV and Xbox One
In conclusion:
The following equipment also helped me during my tests
If a 75 TV is too expensive for you, we can recommend the following alternatives
Here's even more info on 4K:
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Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chAs a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.
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