When it comes time to upgrade your home theater system, there are many potential options. From a new sound system to new furniture to a new TV, there are many choices on what to upgrade or keep a little longer. Overall, a new TV will likely be one of the more expensive upgrades you make.
New technology often means better TVs, more immersive screens, and clearer imaging. While 4K TVs were once the cream of the crop, there are new 8K TVs on the market today. However, do you really need to start preparing for an 8K TV now?
What is 8K?
The technology surrounding home TV screens has changed rapidly over the past several years. Just a few years ago, HD TVs were the best that existed. Then came 4K, then 5K, and now we have 8K. But what, exactly, is 8K media?
To understand what 8K is, let’s compare. The traditional HD TV has 1080p vertically and 1920 pixels horizontally. 4K TVs doubled the pixel count on both ends: 3,840 pixels horizontally and 2,160 pixels vertically. Predictably, 8K TVs have doubled this pixel count yet again: 7,680 pixels horizontally and 4,320 pixels vertically.
Essentially, 8K TVs have four times the resolution of a 4K TV and sixteen times the resolution of a regular HD TV. As such, an 8K TV will be significantly clearer than an HD TV and, in theory, clearer than a 4K TV. However, despite what you may think, an 8K TV is not always noticeably better than a 4K TV.
All new, high-end TVs will be coming out with 8K resolution, jacking up the price and also the image quality. However, is it really worth it?
Do I Need It Now?
Many people think that because a newer option is available, that means it’s the best. However, when it comes to 8K TVs, this isn’t necessarily true. Unless you have a basic HD TV, an 8K TV won’t do too much more for you. If you already have a 4K TV, then you won’t even notice a significant difference between it and a new 8K TV for 99% of the content you watch.
8K TVs are new and exciting, but in most cases, you don’t actually need one right now. They won’t be too much clearer than a 4K TV, but they will be much, much more expensive.
That being said, if you really do want to upgrade your TV, we recommend choosing a high-quality 4K TV. You’ll spend much less on it, but you’ll still get the same viewing quality, and when it is less clear than an 8K TV, you likely won’t even notice.
Just because 8K is an option now does not mean that your 4K or 5K TV is obsolete. In fact, these TVs will likely stick around for many more years. They offer excellent viewing and are significantly more affordable than 8K TVs. Unless you’re really eager to upgrade to the latest TV technology or you’re especially interested in an 8K TV, it’s probably best to just keep your current 4K screen or upgrade to a newer one.
Conclusion
Right now, 8K TVs are still new and uncommon. As time goes on and more people decide to invest in one, they’ll become more commonplace. Eventually, they may even become the more affordable option as newer, brighter, and clearer TVs are made in the years to come.
While 8K TVs are clear, they aren’t worth the investment unless you feel particularly drawn to them. If you’re looking for a TV that will be significantly clearer, you’re better off saving your money now. If you need more advice about your home theater setup, don’t hesitate to call Home Theater Pros and our experts will be happy to answer your questions!