Methinks thou hast surely crossed paths with the legendary 8K TV. Verily, it hath lingered amongst us for a time, advertised as the next wondrous resolution that doth render 4K as mere child’s play. Yet, as it journeyeth toward widespread use, thou may still harbor queries regarding its essence.
Behold, the 8K TVs doth harbor a vast multitude of pixels (more than 30 million!), far surpassing the humble HD TVs and the noble 4K brethren that grace the market. Great brands such as Samsung, LG, Sony, and TCL do unveil 8K TV models bedecked with backlighting sorcery like mini-LED, bestowing upon them unparalleled brightness and contrast. Lo, the prices have begun to wane, with certain 65-inch 8K TVs gallantly priced below $2,000.
Yet, there is a caveat. Native 8K content doth remain scarce, though streaming sites such as YouTube and Vimeo do offer select videos to savor that ultra high-def splendor. Whilst many of these cutting-edge 8K TVs can enhance lower-res content for striking clarity, there is yet a path to tread ere widespread 8K content becometh mainstream. Thus, do not rush forth to obtain an 8K TV hastily, for the time is not yet nigh.
Fret not, for 8K is the future tiptoeing toward us at a measured pace. Art thou intrigued to delve deeper into this TV revolution? Read on.
What ho, is it truly 8K?
As with any burgeoning technology, the rival brands shall endeavor to persuade buyers that their version of 8K reigns supreme. To bring order to these claims, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) hath introduced its 8K TV program, complete with an official 8K Ultra HD insignia. Any TV meeting the CTA’s 8K specifications may display the insignia, providing solace to buyers that they art obtaining the latest and grandest. Verily, a TV must boast a genuine 8K resolution, upscale non-8K material, support HDR, and be equipped with HDCP 2.2 compliance and 10-bit color handling.
Additionally, in the August of 2024, the CTA renewed its dedication to 8K by dispensing a plethora of fresh resources to elucidate and navigate 8K’s features. Yet, all is not as simple as it seems, for the 8K Association, a congregation of manufacturers and industry denizens, hath forged their own standard for 8K picture quality, complete with their unique emblem.
But soft, when shall 8K TVs grace us abundantly?
Ready or not, 8K TVs doth dwell amongst us, as they have for a time. Should thou desire to join the 8K parade, thou may acquire 8K models from esteemed makers such as Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, and Hisense. These marvels do commence at 55 inches, with prices commencing around $2,000. The realm of 8K TVs doth expand, with the unveiling of 2024 models from last year’s CES now available, and fresh TVs heralded at CES 2024, granting a broader spectrum of sizes and prices.
As of the September of 2024, the latest Samsung 8K TVs lineup encompasseth the Neo QLED 8K QN900D, the zenith of Samsung’s 8K TV realm for 2024. It presents an exceptional viewing experience with unparalleled picture quality, immersive sound, and cutting-edge features. Should a bargain be thy preference, the Neo QLED 8K QN800D doth beckon, available in diverse dimensions. This model delivereth an impressive 8K viewing experience with advanced features and an elegant design.
Oh, the players such as TCL and Hisense do advance with fervor in their offerings. TCL’s 6-Series 8K mini-LED QLED TV, in its current 65-inch guise, doth showcase a blend of avant-garde technologies, bestowing deep blacks, vibrant colors, exceptional brightness, and color accuracy. Hisense, on the other hand, hath unveiled the U800GR 8K ULED ROKU TV, available in a 75-inch screen size, enhancing picture quality with a wider color gamut, improved contrast, and smoother motion.
What say thee about 8K content?
To complete the 8K tapestry and render the 8K unicorn truly worthwhile, we must have sources beaming forth to these technologically advanced 8K TVs content bathed in 8K splendor. Yet, it demandeth a bounty of data and speed to transmit 8K. Whether it be the streaming services proffering 8K content or the broadcasters forging the same path, we art yet afar off from that summit. Yet, there exist some havens for 4K content. Vimeo, in its wisdom, introduced support for 8K in November 2017, hosting over 11,000 videos tagged as 8K. YouTube, too, ventured into the 8K realm ere long, touting a trove of thousands of 8K videos.
Upon the broadcasting frontier, Japanese satellite broadcaster NHK stands as the first to broadcast in 8K, launching a test channel dedicated to showcasing 8K content in December 2017. This channel hath since become permanent, gifting viewers with 12 hours a day of entertainment, art, documentary, and sports programming. In the year 2019, the channel did broadcast roughly 200 hours of 8K UHD coverage, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, featuring the opening and closing ceremonies and an array of events.
Withal, streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video doth not yet proffer 8K content. Correspondingly, 8K over-the-air or cable broadcasts linger absent in many regions, including the U.S. The availability of 8K content doth evolve incrementally. As technology progresses and 8K TVs become more prevalent, a gradual proliferation of channels and content offerings awaits.
Yet, native 8K content doth not solely dictate the worth of an 8K TV, especially for those gazing upon a grand screen expanse. 8K TVs canst enhance 4K content to 8K, and the disparity in clarity is stark. Samsung, to prove this very point, juxtaposed two 85-inch TVs side by side, showcasing one playing 4K content in 4K and the other upscaling the same content to 8K. The contrast was manifest, with the upscaled 4K video displayed upon the 8K TV appearing markedly superior.
In sooth, 8K cameras for consumers doth exist, and we may confidently assume that companies are preparing to grace us with 8K content in due course. Yet, the road ahead is lengthy — a glimpse at the present state of 4K content offers a glimpse into the future. Streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and YouTube do offer 4K streaming, and a vast and expanding collection of 4K UHD Blu-ray discs doth exist. Nevertheless, the dominion of 4K hath much ground to traverse ere it nears the ubiquity of HD.
Whilst the ATSC 3.0 digital broadcast standard, also known as NextGen TV, shall eventually usher forth 4K broadcasting via airwaves and through cable and satellite providers, this standard was but recently approved by the FCC in November 2017. Though technically compatible with ATSC 3.0, 8K remaineth a distant prospect as cable, satellite, and content providers do focus on provisioning programming for viewers yearning for the pinnacle from their 4K TVs.
With the ardor for HDR ever on the rise, content providers do dedicate themselves to expanding their offerings in HDR, posing yet another impediment to a widespread focus on 8K video, at least for the moment.
As is oft the case, gaming may steer us into an 8K realm ere movies or TV shows. The Sony PlayStation 5 console now doth support 8K graphics, as doth the Microsoft Xbox Series X, albeit some game experts do question its worthiness.
Art thou prepared to acquire a new TV? Whilst one may procure an 8K TV presently, akin to the nascent days of both HD and 4K, it shall be a span ere they become practicable for the masses. For the majority, 4K TVs do hold ample life yet.
