Shopping for a new TV? Chances are you’re hearing a lot about 4K Ultra HD. But what is Ultra HD, and should you consider it in your next TV purchase? The Consumer Electronics Association wrote this handy FAQ to run you through the basics of this exciting new technology. Remember, we’re here to help you get the most from your TV investment, so call us if you have any questions!

Why Ultra HDTV?
Ultra HDTV is the next step in the logical progression that has seen television pictures go from black and white to color; color standard definition to high definition and now high definition to Ultra HD. It offers dazzling, pristine images and an immersive viewing experience. Because Ultra HD offers four times the resolution of HDTV you can see so much more detail, such as the mosaics on the wall in a castle or the tiny dots on a fish in the aquarium. In pixel terms, that’s 8.3 million pixels vs. HDTV’s maximum 2.2 million.

Another advantage is you can sit closer to an Ultra HDTV than your current HDTV enabling viewing to become more of a theater-like experience.  Plus, Ultra HDTVs are able to reproduce colors in a more dramatic fashion than has been possible before.

What is the difference between the terms “Ultra HD” and “4K”?
They are two sides of the same coin. Ultra HD is used to describe a television set capable of displaying an image that is 3,840 pixels horizontal x 2,160 pixels vertical. “4K” is a term used by movie and television producers to describe content that matches Ultra HD resolution. You will sometimes see them used together, as in “4K Ultra HD,” to describe this match.
 
Will my new HDTV that I just purchased be made obsolete by the recent introduction of Ultra HD?
Not at all. A new HDTV won’t be obsolete; it simply won’t have the advantages of Ultra HD. In fact, there has never been a greater time to purchase a television. Consumers currently have a wide variety of display choices offering high-definition, an amazing 3D experience, interconnectivity through Apps and the Internet and more. Ultra HDTVs are for those consumers who want tomorrow’s next-generation of displays and televisions today.
 
What Ultra HD 4k movies and TV shows are available to enjoy on an Ultra HDTV?
More and more native Ultra HD content sources, such as TV shows and movies, are becoming available. The content community is actively looking to support Ultra HD content in the near future and many movies and TV shows already are shot in “4K.” Some TV manufacturers have developed media servers with a library of native 4K content available. Sony has released a selection of “Mastered in 4K” branded Blu-ray discs and Netflix announced plans to begin 4K streaming of certain titles, beginning with House of Cards Season 2. NBCUniversal, YouTube, Amazon and many more have all made announcements about additional Ultra HD content.
 
What can I watch on my Ultra HDTV today?
Ultra HDTV sets “upconvert” your existing video resources to make it look better. Ultra HD sets will upconvert HDTV sources, like Blu-ray discs and HDTV broadcasts, to near-Ultra HD resolution. You won’t believe how good your favorite Blu-ray movie will look on an Ultra HD display!
 
Will Ultra HDTV support advanced features like streaming and 3D?
Absolutely. Ultra HD sets already support such features.
 
Can I connect my Blu-Ray player, game console or Cable/Telco/Satellite set top box to an Ultra HDTV?
Yes. We recommend using a HighSpeed HDMI cable or HighSpeed + Ethernet cable. Note that most existing video sources won’t output native Ultra HD material. But some streaming sources are already doing Ultra HD, and the set will be able to display or upconvert any input resolution.