Comparisons
Comparisons
The labels on the box look like a ladder you simply have to climb all the way to the top. In reality, each step only pays off under certain conditions. The tables below show how the familiar formats really differ and when you can see it with your own eyes.
More pixels don't automatically mean more enjoyment. They're only an opportunity, and you have to be able to use it.
How this section works: we compare general concepts, not models or trade names. The tables show tendencies; the real result depends on the screen, the source, the room and your eyes.
HD vs. Full HD vs. 4K
| Criterion | HD | Full HD | 4K UHD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frame size in pixels | 1280×720 | 1920×1080 | 3840×2160 |
| How many pixels | The fewest; a visible "grid" on a large screen | The familiar standard, noticeably denser than HD | Four times as many as Full HD |
| When the difference shows | On a small screen from a distance, it's hard to tell apart from Full HD | Looks sharp on a mid-size screen from a normal distance | On a large screen when sitting close, especially with small text and fine patterns |
| What can get in the way | Stretching it to a big screen makes the picture soft | Heavy compression hurts detail more than a lack of pixels | A heavily compressed, low-bitrate source can look worse than clean Full HD |
SDR vs. HDR
| Criterion | SDR | HDR |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The conventional way of carrying brightness and color | An extended range of brightness and shades in the signal |
| Bright areas | The sun and lamps hit the same white ceiling | Highlights and light sources can be noticeably brighter than the rest of the frame |
| Dark areas | Shadows are rendered more simply, without extra nuance | More shades in the shadows, if the screen can show them |
| Where disappointment lies | Rarely: the format is predictable | A screen with limited brightness compresses the range, and the image looks dim |
| What you need | Almost any screen and source | HDR in the content, the source and the screen all at once |
24 fps vs. 60 fps vs. motion smoothing
| Criterion | 24 frames per second | 60 frames per second | Motion smoothing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where you see it | The traditional frame rate for movies | Sports broadcasts, video games, some video recordings | A screen feature, not a property of the content itself |
| How motion looks | Slight judder on pans, the familiar "cinematic" look | Smooth, crisp motion | Unnaturally smooth, like a home video |
| Possible glitches | Stutter if the screen repeats frames unevenly | Hardly any, if the source and screen are in sync | Halos around moving objects, "swimming" details |
| What to do | Turn on a mode that keeps the original frame rate, if there is one | Leave it as is | Turn it off for movies or set it to the minimum |
Read next
- Guides
Step-by-step guides: setting up a new screen, choosing a picture mode, turning off extra processing and matching brightness to the room. Plus the article index.
- Fix the picture
What to do if the picture looks blurry or dark, gradients show bands, motion stutters, colors look off or there are black bars around the edges.
- Glossary
A glossary of terms: resolution, pixel, bitrate, codec, compression, HDR, frame rate and refresh rate, motion smoothing, banding and more.
- Tools
What to use when adjusting the picture: test images, the screen menu and signal info, source settings, room lighting and notes on your settings.
- Questions
Answers about this reference, about resolution, HDR and frame rate, and about comfortable screen time for the whole family.
Sources
- General information on video formats and displays (reference principles)
- FantastikaHD editorial materials
This advice is written in general terms as of the date it was prepared. Screen menus, mode names and factory settings vary from device to device and change with updates, so check your own manual and trust your eyes more than the labels on the box.