Summary: To find out if your TV is 4K, look at the user manual, check the device information through the TV screen, or get the model number and check online.
4K resolution is one of the latest innovations in the world of televisions. With 4K, you can get a resolution that is four times the resolution of 1080p.
TV sets with 4K resolution have 3,840 horizontal pixels and 2,610 vertical pixels which sums to 8.3 million pixels. In other words, if you see “3840 x 2160” on the product specification in your TV, then it’s 4K.
The question is… how are you going to find out if your TV set is using 4K. Well, we shall find out in this article!
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When did 4K TVs come out?
4K TV came out in 2012 with the first 4K TV prototype introduced by Sharp in 2008.
The first 4K TVs cost $20000 with the cheapest around $4000. In addition to that, there is limited content with the 4K format during the early times when 4K TVs were first launched.
However, nowadays you can find affordable 4K TVs and various TV content in 4K format. In fact, there are quite a few factors that have contributed to the success of 4K TVs such as streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu, and high-speed internet.
Trivia: Hitachi invented a processor that is capable of displaying 4K in 1984. This processor was used in arcade machines and televisions in the 1980s.
If you’re curious to know about the best 4K smallest 4K TVs, check out this article.
How do I tell if my TV is 4K?
Here are ways to tell if your TV is 4K:
- Check the user manual. Look for the spec page on the TV user manual. If it says 2160p, UHD, or 4K, then your TV is 4K.
- Go to the brand website. Use the model number to search for the specs of the TV on the brand website.
- Use YouTube to check the resolution of your TV. Play YouTube on the TV. If it plays at 2160p, then it’s a 4K TV.
- Try 4K image check. Open a 4K photo on the TV, if it opens full screen, it’s a 4K TV. If you see the border around the photo, your TV is full HD.
- Contact brand support directly. If all else fails, call customer service to confirm the resolution of your TV.
Watch the video to learn how to check if your TV is 4K.
What is considered a 4K TV?
A 4K TV set has a resolution of 3840 horizontal pixels and 2160 vertical pixels which is equal to 8.3 million pixels.
The “K” in 4K stands for Kilo (1000) which means that the TV has achieved a horizontal resolution of about 4000 pixels.
The good news is that most of the new TVs nowadays come with 4K resolution. However, to get this resolution, you’ll need a broadband connection and an internet speed of 25 Mbps or greater.
How do I know my TV resolution?
You can check your TV resolution by looking at the display resolution settings.
The resolution is marked by a number representing how many horizontal lines the TV screen can hold.
Follow these steps to check your TV resolution:
- Go to the Settings menu.
- Navigate to the Pictures/Display settings.
- Scroll down to check the screen resolution.
What is the difference between a 4K and full HD smart TV?
I have created this table to show you the key differences between 4K TV and full HD smart TV.
| Key Differences | 4K TV | Full HD Smart TV |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Price | expensive | cheaper |
| User-experience | offers much more resolution | low resolution and viewing requirement |
Which is better 4K or HD?
Based on the table above, we can roughly conclude that 4K TV is a lot better than HD.
It has a better resolution, is less expensive, and offers much more resolution in terms of the viewing experience.
Indeed, it’s worth investing in 4K TVs. However, HD TVs are a great option too if you don’t care much about resolution.
Can a 720p TV display 4K?
Yes, a 720p TV can display 4K.
A 4K TV will display 720p videos just fine. The rescaling of 720p to display on 4K TV have a less negative impact on the quality of the video far less than rescaling it on the 1080p screen. Although, it will look better on the 1080p screen.
Most people won’t notice the difference at a normal viewing distance or side by side.
How to tell if Samsung TV is displaying in 4K?
The best way to check if your Samsung TV is 4K is to go to the display settings. You can also check the TV user manual for the full specifications.
If what is suggested above is not helpful at all, you can call Samsung Support to verify your TV’s resolution.
Key Takeaways
- Check the TV user manual or go to the TV display/picture settings to check if it’s 4K.
- 4K TVs have a product specification of 3840 x 2160.
- 4K TVs come with a hefty price tag. However, they’re worth it.
- Most of the newer TVs come with 4K resolution.