HD streaming vs 4K

[New World Explorer]

I have 4K televisions, and noticed that Netflix and Stan (Stan in Australia)

offer 4K options on some shows, but of course customer is required to upgrade to premium service.

Now, the trick is that I don't see a difference between HD and 4K streaming, so why paying for premium service? 

 

I this something that you have also noticed? experienced? 

 

When it comes to physical 4K movies etc, is it worth investing in those, and the player ? 

Currently I only have good quality Blu-ray player. 

Do we really benefit from 4K option? 

 

 

[dozerman5676]

Greg,

I also used to feel the same way wondering if it was worth it and then a funny thing happened.  A show I watched in 2018 started a new season of course in 2019 and it "felt" different.... and I can't really say I liked it.  I seriously watched over 1/2 the season and keep thinking" what's different?  It almost gave me the feeling that it was being shot live to video.  When I was a kid my Mom watched a soap opera and the quality was weird.... ..... if that makes sense.  The picture was SOOOOO clear and sharp it looked funny.  Another way to describe it..... movies are shot with film and there's a softness about film.  When I finally figured it out it make sense.... 2018 was in HD and 2019 was 4k.  I guess I'm used to it now but "sharper" it not always better, in fact it was a little distracting.  The flip side though is live Baseball (of course not this year yet  ) A baseball game in 4k is mesmerizing.  It's so close to real, replay is sharp, close ups are crazy clear.  If they could add the smell of grass, hotdogs and beer.................

 

So my vote...... 4k YES....... worth extra money?  Maybe not.  I personally watch a lot of baseball and I'm spoiled and wouldn't want to go back to HD.

[Qapla]

To get an idea of the difference ...

 

HD is 1080 pixels while 4K has 4320 pixels in the same space

 

Kind of like the difference in an old dot matrix printer compared to a laser printer

[Alexa]

Some monkey business for sure

[New World Explorer]

8 hours ago, Qapla said:

To get an idea of the difference ...

 

HD is 1080 pixels while 4K has 4320 pixels in the same space

 

Kind of like the difference in an old dot matrix printer compared to a laser printer

Yes, John I know specifications.

For example I was watching "Better Call Saul"  in HD, and then in 4K streaming ....no big difference to my eyes. 

[Hinata]

If you do not see a big difference yourself, it may not be wise to invest extra money. If it's free then it's would be a bit different story.

 

Personally, I think it still would take a lot of time for a 4k resolution to adapt in our life. For example, the sheer file size is immensely greater than HD or FHD. Also, even now, most TVs are produced in FHD quality. It's much more expensive to purchase a 4k monitor/television. If your monitor does not support 4k, it will be blurred down to 1080p and only take time and space.

[Qapla]

Not everyone can see the difference in an iMax movie and a regular one either - even though an iMax is shot on film that is 4 times the size as standard movie film and renders an image that is 4 times as "dense" as stadard film.

 

Just like back when "Hi Fidelity" stereo systems came out - not everyone can hear all audio range that comprises Hi-Fi ... so why spend the extra money

 

Then again, for 4K to make a difference, the program you are watching has to also be true 4K for you to be able to see any difference - if the program is only 1080P and has to be "interpolated" into 4K - it just is not the same enhancement as a program that is actually recorded or broadcast in true 4K - that you might be able to see the difference in.

Edited April 19, 2020 by Qapla