My Cart - There have been many predictions among tech companies about the coming trends of 2018. Among these were the increased size of TV screens and advances toward voice integrated technologies. But both consumers and retailers have recognised that 4K HDR has become the hottest tech topic of the year.
However, the continuing issue is that most consumers may not understand how to get the most out this latest TV technology that is now literally at their fingertips. With 4K HDR’s meteoric surge in popularity, do we truly know what it is, and why it has become so prominent?
What Does 4K HDR Actually Offer?
Its been around 10 years since the world went HD. However, as is common in the fast-paced and dynamic world of TV technology, 4K HDR is the latest innovation to reach the market. And what an upgrade it is!
4K, also known as Ultra HD, has four times the definition of HD (1080p). While top of the range HD gives watchers a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, 4K gives a whopping 3840 x 2150, offering significantly more detailed image quality.
However, it’s not just about the pixels. It’s about making sure the pixels you do have pop. While 4K is important, it’s the HDR part that should be taken notice of. Standing for High Dynamic Range, this refers to the range of colours your TV can display. This means your TV offers a much higher ‘colour gamut’, creating astonishingly vibrant images, with brighter shades and darker hues of colours.
When you combine the brilliant colour display and the thousands of pixels that 4K HDR offers, how could your TV experience be any better?
4K HDR in the Industry
Back in 2017, 4K TV sales were expected to grow by almost 40%. The sales of these products saw growth at a nearly explosive rate – certainly since the market began to take off in 2014. After format and connectivity issues were resolved around mid-2014, consumers began seeing the true potential of 4K HDR, and that it was a safer bet to buy the newest and best models.
Since 4K resolution has become the dominant format among all TV brands, this technology has been further enhanced by the HDR display technology. According to findings from the research firm Futuresource consulting, sales of 4K HDR TVs were said to have expanded 38% from 2016 into 2017. In fact, 4K HDR TVs made up an entire third of TV sales in 2017. These sales are essentially a continuation of the strong sales which also occurred in 2016 during which 4K HDR TVs made up more than 25% of worldwide TV sales – in spite the scarcity for 4K content sources.
It’s not hard to see why these TVs are so popular. People want a vibrant and clear image, and with this combination of technology, you can have the best of both worlds.
What Is the Future for 4K HDR?
4K HDR is not just enhancing our screen quality; it’s altering our entire viewing experience, as well as the way the entire TV market operates.
Now that this technology has a firm hold within the industry, the trend is set to move towards even bigger screens. The difference between HD and 4K becomes much more apparent around the 55” mark. With HD, the picture quality on a 55” begins to look pixelated but with 4K it stays completely sharp. There is no doubt that 55” TVs are big but expect your 4K HDR screens to become even bigger in years to come, with gigantic 65” screens occupying the higher end of the market.
We can also expect to see streaming content for 4K becoming much more widely accessible. While there’s already a lot of content which shines through on your 4K HDR screen, such as Netflix and Amazon, we can expect an increase in similar services and providers.
Th future of 4K HDR also includes gaming. PlayStation 4 Pro offers upscaled HDR graphics on PS4 games to reach 4K resolution while the Xbox One X offers True 4K and HDR with even more impressive hardware.
Futuresource and other research firms have observed a steady decrease in price for this technology, which could be a contributing factor in the rise of its popularity. While 4K HDR prices have increased slightly in 2017 due to a rise in market share and costlier technology, they are now dropping again. Electronic World have cheap 4K TVs for as low as £329.99.
Looking for a 4K HDR TV? Why not take a look at our range here?
