The non-profit 8K Association recently published a white paper, highlighting the potential of 8K to deliver "super-realism," marking it as a game-changer and potential new revenue generator. Does the 8K TV, expensive as it is, deserve a place in your home?
The Consumer Technology Association states that for a TV to have the 8K Ultra HD logo, it must meet these requirements:
- A resolution of at least 7,680 pixels across and 4,320 pixels down.
- At least one HDMI input that can handle that resolution at 50 or 60 frames per second (depending on the region), with HDR support.
- The capability to upscale lower-resolution content to 8K.
- The ability to process and display 10-bit content.
With over 33 million pixels, the 8K TV isn't just four times the resolution of 4K—it's also a staggering 16 times more pixels than 1080p. However, the truth is, despite its digital grandiosity, the 8K technology remains far ahead of the times. The human eye has a limit on detail perception, so extra pixels are wasted unless you sit closer, get a bigger TV, or do both. A lack of 8K content in mainstream media is a bigger challenge. Most recording cameras produce content in 4K, even the ones offering 8K quality. Transmitting such high-level pixel count will need a lot of data, a lot of it. Well above the average found in most people’s homes.
Simply put, the 8K TV is yet to find its purpose in our daily lives.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of tech specs. Although the new PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles can output 8K signals, most games are limited to 4K, and any other claims aren’t truly factual. 8K TVs are still a niche product with limited content and practical applications for most consumers. While the technology holds promise for the future, and TV prices are expected to drop, the lack of 8K content and optics makes it difficult for anyone to ‘care.’
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