Will There EVER Be A Point To 4K Ultra HD?

On 07/27/2013 at 09:38 AM by gigantor21

In the wake of the latest 3D boom fizzling out like the others, electronics companies like Sony, Samsung and others have hitched their wagon to 4K Ultra HD resolution. Offering the equivalent of four 1080p screens at once, 4K is being pushed as the next big thing in the same vein as HD was a few years back.

I think it's stupid. There are any number of reasons:

- The difference between proper 1080p--not the compressed bullshit you see on Youtube--and 4K is parochial and academic on all but the biggest screens. That means there will be little incentive to upgrade the screens people have in the bedrooms or at their desks. Between that and the inevitable waiting game on prices, I don't see potential for a massive rush to upgrade. It took years for people to jump on board with HD even with the much more obvious jump in quality.

- The amount of processing power needed to run games at that resolution is absurd. So much so that PCs are only now able to do it in several games, and require either crazy expensive video cards or multi-card set ups. Sony didn't even bother trying that with the PS4, for all their efforts to position themselves in the supposed 4K future.

- It's going to be an absolute nightmare streaming 4K content for most people, even in areas with good internet. I can't even get Youtube to run 720p consistently; what's the point of having UHD content if the net can't even handle what's out now? That's especially true when more and more people are consuming content through smartphones and tablets, which struggle to deliver sub-HD streaming consistently via our shit mobile networks.

- There are any number of TV stations still running SD content. Where exactly will the incentive be for them to switch to an even higher standard?

I don't see some bold, exciting new vision in the push towards 4K. I see a TV industry grasping at straws because they want to replicate a one-off bump (the push to current HD). I don't see it working out much better than 3D did.

Homelessrook

07/27/2013 at 09:45 AM

I guess everyone will need to upgrade to fiber in their homes. Even then the longer the run without a booster there is degredation in the line. Also HDMI would have to change to a faster conduint. I do'nt know, I leave al that to the experts. I am dumb as a box of rocks.

gigantor21

07/27/2013 at 09:50 AM

Pretty much. They actually talked about the kind of ports you'd need for 4K gaming specifically in a recent Forbes article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2013/07/25/tcl-is-launching-a-50-inch-4k-television-for-999-but-should-you-buy-it/

Matt Snee Staff Writer

07/27/2013 at 10:31 AM

I like 3D but just can't afford a 3D set right now. I hope to eventually. But it sure has fizzled out. I imagine though as the tech gets cheaper more people will adapt it.

07/27/2013 at 11:18 AM

Maybe. But I feel like it won't really take off until you can have cheap glasses-free 3D, personally.

07/27/2013 at 11:29 AM

that may be true. I love the 3D on my 3DS.

GeminiMan78

07/27/2013 at 11:15 AM

I just barely got my big screen HD TV, I'm in no hurry to upgrade, I plan to ride this baby till it dies, which is hopeful a good 6 or 7 years from now.

07/27/2013 at 11:16 AM

As far as console gaming goes, you probably won't miss anything.

NSonic79

08/03/2013 at 12:20 AM

Not going to fly. you said it yourself people can hardly run games and content at 1080p consistantly. Perhaps it'll catch on with PC users that want a quad screen set up a la the Matrix.

But for regular use, highly doubtful but science marches on!

08/06/2013 at 05:33 PM

I don't see it even getting cheap enough for people to buy for several years. And even then I doubt they'll care as much as they did with regular HD, if at all.

BrokenH

08/06/2013 at 06:05 PM

Can''t say I'm "psyched" over this slight marginal advancement in image quality. Should I be?

08/06/2013 at 09:02 PM

The industry reeeeealy hopes so. Otherwise they're screwed. :p

PixlBit