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MORE PIXELS MEANS IT’S MORE IMMERSIVE

MANUFACTURERS ANNOUNCE THE ARRIVAL OF 8K!

Typical! As soon as we all get used to 4k, screen and panel manufacturers announce the arrival of 8k! You may have heard some things about the tech, and depending on who you’re speaking to, the comments range from “it’s a revolution” to “it’s a scam”. The truth about 8k lies somewhere in the middle, though. The first thing to realise is that it is real. And it is coming. Manufacturers are investing a lot in the development of 8k equipment, and whether or not you see value in the new technology, that’s what they’re going to be pushing. For those still rooting for team 4k, the argument is that the law of diminishing returns will be in effect: you’re going to be paying quite a lot more for an 8k screen, for no real improvement. Again, the truth is somewhere in the middle. So let’s be real here: like all new technology, 8k is going to be more expensive. But the difference, even on upscaled images (more on that shortly), is appreciable. A simple side-by-side comparison is all it takes to demonstrate the superiority of 8k. Whether you’re an 8k early adopter or a stern 4k disciple, here’s the lowdown on the ground:

THE TWO-PART TRUTH ABOUT 8K:

  1. The knock-on effect of manufacturers building 8k projectors is that producers are going to be making 8k content: in fact, a Japanese broadcaster already has 8k satellite transmission in place, while YouTube and Vimeo both already have an impressive amount of 8k content – and the film studios will no doubt follow.
  2. The second important point (assuming you’re as keen about the evolution of technology as we are) is that 8k isn’t simply twice the resolution of 4k. Because we’re dealing with horizontal and vertical dimensions, 8k actually has four times the number of pixels. Think of a grid of 4x4k screens together (two on the bottom, two on the top) – you get the idea. For the resolution nerds amongst us: 8k is 7,680 Å~ 4,320 (or 33,117,600 pixels), whereas 4k is 3,840 Å~ 2,160 (which is 8,294,400 pixels). That’s quite a difference. So am I excited about the 8K invasion? Damn straight I am. Should you be? An absolute ‘YES YOU SHOULD!’ 8k means a better, more immersive experience because you can implement a bigger screen and a closer viewing position with no pixelation. But, a bit of consumer caution for you still: if you’re going to go 8k, make sure you go true 8k. There are already projectors on the market that command 8k prices, but actually use algorithms and other tech tricks to upscale 4k to 8k. The difference in quality is still noticeable, but it’s not the true experience. You have been warned.

 

If the new buzzword has you asking questions, my team and I invite you to drop by our showroom anytime for a coffee (or a whiskey) and have a chat to us about the future forward revolution of the smart home space. We know a bit.