How Do I Know If My TV is 4K? All You Need to Know (2023)

Televisions with 4K resolution are quite popular right now. The other day, I started to question whether my TV was 4K or not. There isn’t much to choose between a 4K and HD TV when it comes to picture quality. Do you know whether your television is 4K?

Examining your TV’s manual or packing box may tell you whether it’s 4K and what resolution it has. In most cases, the resolution is referred to as “Ultra-High Definition” (UHD) in the user manual.

3840 x 2160 is another way to express it in pixels. You may also see ‘4K’ displayed in bold text style instead. As indicated in this article, you may use various ways to confirm your product’s legitimacy and quality.

What is a 4K Resolution or UHD?

Most people are familiar with SD, HD, and UHD or 4K resolutions since they’ve seen them on a variety of television sets. These pixel sizes range from 720p for SD to 3840p or 4096p (about 4000, thus the term 4K) for UHD, depending on the format.

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It’s a measure of how well-done your photo or video is. Increasing the number of pixels in your picture or video allows you to see even the smallest things in crystal clear clarity.

You would assume that this implies 4K TVs are huge, but there are a number of excellent compact 4K TVs available that have excellent pixel density and clarity.

What is the Difference Between 4K and UHD?

This is a question I’d want to address from two perspectives:

  • You need not be concerned as a customer. The 4K TV you bought is really a UHD model. Nevertheless, except for the tiny change in nomenclature and resolution, the two are almost identical.
  • The 4K format, on the other hand, offers a resolution of 4096 x 2160, which is exactly double that of Full HD!

UHD might be compared to HD and SD on content platforms, although 4K is more of a production industry word. In the case of a UHD (almost 4K) device, the aspect ratio is often 1.78:1 to guarantee that the product reaches to market with an attractive aspect ratio.

Other Methods to Check If Your TV is 4K As previously said, an excellent place to begin is with the handbook or package box. A smart TV that has access to YouTube will be of great use to you in this situation. Go to the official GoPro Action Cameras channel, for example, which has a lot of visually appealing material.

You’ll have no trouble locating material that’s accessible in a variety of sizes. Personally, I’d suggest starting at a lower resolution and working your way up to 4K. Yes, provided the network is not a problem, you will quickly notice an increase in content quality.

You won’t be able to use the 4K option if your TV only supports standard HD since certain devices restrict the quality to the highest levels that can be shown. You may also use your television’s remote control to access the display’s information.

If you have a Smart TV, your remote control, for example, should include an info button. As soon as you press it, the pixels and format of your TV’s display will be shown in the upper right corner. Images or even simple text may be used to evaluate the image’s quality.

Aside from looking at text corners, there are a few more options worth considering. Font corners and edges will look like little square boxes at lower resolutions because of this.

How To Watch 4K Content?

1080p 1440p and 2160p

You have a wide range of choices here. I can think of a few that are well known and readily accessible.

YouTube

There is a lot of 4K stuff to be found here if you want to look around. You can get 4K footage for trip documentaries, action camera videos, and certain movie trailers.

All you have to do is choose the ‘quality’ option and enter the information you need. It’ll say 2160p with a 4K superscript in the resolution field.

Streaming Services

For the time being, all new Netflix releases will be in 4K quality. You’ll have to pay a monthly membership fee to use this feature. On Amazon Prime, you’ll find exactly the same thing: You can also watch movies and other media on Apple devices.

You’ll be able to get them via Apple’s iTunes store. There is a cost associated with using the platform, and that is indicated on it.

4K UHD Blu-Ray

A Blu-ray player, which costs around $100, is required. Any Blu-Ray movie in 4K format may be found at a neighborhood Multimedia store or online purchasing platform once you have a Blu-Ray player in your possession.

Many more platforms can provide 4K video besides these few. We’ll go through a few of them in more depth, along with cost and content information, down below.

Can You Watch Non-4K Content on Your 4K TV?

Even while it’s technically feasible, it’s not recommended. I’ll do my best to make the concept as clear as possible. More pixelation occurs when a picture is stretched to suit the screen size rather than resized. With this rule, you may use any number of different resolutions. As previously stated, a 65-inch 4K TV should have an average screen size.

It is possible to get a television set that is up to 80 inches wide. A poor-quality picture that looks OK on a 16-inch screen may seem far worse when stretched to fill the whole screen, so be careful when attempting to show poor-quality images.

However, there is a workaround for this issue. Upscaling is the phrase used to describe this process. Now, it’s important to keep in mind that upscaling will never significantly increase the quality.

However, material that has been upscaled will always be superior to content that has not been scaled. Image processing is required for upscaling, and as the original content’s resolution decreases, the procedure becomes less effective.

Upscaling a 1080p video to 4K is always preferable since it’s faster and simpler than upscaling a 720p video.

How to Make The Most Out of Your 4K TV

How can I make the most of my 4K television now? Selecting the right accessories or addends for your TV set is the quickest and simplest solution.

Sony, Samsung, and others make smart 4K TVs that are commonplace in homes today. Instead, you may use a dongle or a nice streaming stick if your TV doesn’t have an HDMI connector. You may learn how to make your TV smart by following these instructions.

If you’re having trouble deciding between different streaming services, go back to the table at the beginning of this post for help. To avoid problems with backlight distribution on LCD TVs, go for newer display versions like the OLED when buying a new TV.

While installing your TV, another option is to put it in a location where most people can see it and watch the program material while you work.

Conclusion

You may verify your TV’s resolution format from the handbook or the display settings on your remote to see whether it is 4K or not. Secondarily, you may utilize free streaming services like Youtube to distinguish between video resolutions of 144p and 2160p (4K).

Copyrighted 4K video may also be found on subscription-based services like Amazon Prime and Netflix. Look at the corners of an image or text to see whether the visual quality is acceptable.

Getting the greatest image out of your TV set is simple now that there are so many tools and video streaming platforms accessible online and on paper.

-our editorial board has reviewed this article and has been approved for publication according to our editorial policy.

Best Seller List of 4K Televisions:

SaleBestseller No. 1
INSIGNIA 50-inch Class F30 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV with Alexa Voice Remote (NS-50F301NA24,...
  • 4K Ultra HD (2160p resolution) - Enjoy breathtaking 4K movies and TV shows at 4 times the resolution of Full HD, and upscale your current content to Ultra HD-level picture quality.
  • Alexa voice control - Speak commands into the voice remote with Alexa to control your Fire TV verbally—ask it to watch live TV, search for titles, play music, switch inputs, control smart home devices and more.
  • Access thousands of shows with Fire TV - Watch over 1 million streaming movies and TV episodes with access to thousands of channels, apps and Alexa skills, including Apple TV+, Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, Prime Video, Sling TV, YouTube and other services right from this TV.
  • DTS Studio Sound - This premium audio enhancement suite creates realistic and immersive audio with two-speaker playback that expands your sense of space and ambience.
  • Hands-free control: Pair with your Amazon Echo and go hands-free, controlling volume, search, channels and more.
SaleBestseller No. 2
Amazon Fire TV 50" 4-Series 4K UHD smart TV with Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote, stream live TV without...
  • Bring movies and shows to life with support for vivid 4K Ultra HD, HDR 10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Plus.
  • 4K Ultra HD, HDR 10, and HLG deliver a clearer and more vibrant picture with brighter colors compared to 1080p Full HD.
  • Press and ask Alexa to easily find, launch, and control your content, or check the weather, sports scores, and more.
  • Stream over 1.5 million movies and TV episodes with subscriptions to Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and more.
  • Enjoy MGM+ on us - Receive a 6-month subscription to MGM+, including access to thousands of Hollywood movies and Original series with your Fire TV purchase. Terms apply.
SaleBestseller No. 3
Toshiba 43-inch Class C350 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV with Alexa Voice Remote (43C350LU, 2023...
  • Fire TV - Fire TV brings live, over the air TV and all your streaming channels together on one, easy to use home screen. Connect any HD antenna and ask Alexa to instantly search for and watch live TV, or choose from a vast catalog of streaming movies and TV shows.
  • Regza Engine 4k - Regza Engine 4K is Toshiba’s high-performance 4K engine for stunning picture quality. With the ultra-essential PQ technology combined with a high-quality LCD panel, you can get incredible ultra HD 4K images with breathtaking picture quality.
  • 4K resolution - Four times the resolution of Full HD, and four times the detail. With Toshiba 4K TV, you can enjoy uncompromisingly crisp, clear visuals for a fully immersive, professional theater-quality experience.
  • Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10* - Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10 transform your TV into an entertainment powerhouse. The image technology from cinemas, now brought together in the home, provides amazing realism you'll see, hear, and feel like never before.
  • Bezel-less Design - The C350 is designed with a gorgeous bezel-less design to give you more viewable screen area.
SaleBestseller No. 4
TCL 75-Inch Q6 QLED 4K Smart TV with Google (75Q650G, 2023 Model) Dolby Vision, Atmos, HDR Pro+,...
  • 4K Ultra HD Resolution: Experience incredible detail with 4X the resolution of 1080p Full HDTVs.
  • QLED - Quantum Dot Technology with UltraWide Color Gamut: enjoy over a billion colors for richer and more lifelike images.
  • HighBright Direct LED Backlight: Q6 models produce brighter images for enhanced viewing experience for all your favorite movies and TV shows.
  • Motion Rate 240 with MEMC Frame Insertion: Combines multiple motion enhancement technologies for exceptional motion clarity
  • Game Accelerator 120: With up to fast 120Hz VRR, enjoy more responsive gameplay without lag, designed to keep you at the top of any leaderboard.
Bestseller No. 5
Samsung UN78KS9500 Curved 78-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV (2016 Model)
  • The Ultimate Curved 4K SUHD Picture powered by the Quantum Dot Color Drive. Fires off a billion more colors than HD TVs for a lifelike picture unlike anything else
  • More than just pitch black, get the best shades of black with Triple Black Technology. Never miss a detail in the dark.
  • HDR 1000 mirrors the high contrast and vividness the way movie makers intended
  • Advanced contrast, color and sharpness for true-to-life image quality with Supreme UHD Dimming
  • Smart 2016 - Use one universal remote to switch from Live TV to streaming seamlessly. Easily access everything you want to watch.
Bestseller No. 6
TCL 43-Inch Class S4 4K LED Smart TV with Amazon Fire TV (43S450F, 2023 Model), Dolby Vision HDR,...
  • 4K Ultra HD Resolution – experience incredible detail with 4X the resolution of 1080p Full HDTVs.
  • Motion Rate 120 – Motion enhancement technology for improved motion clarity.
  • HDR PRO (Dolby Vision, HDR10, & HLG) - Enjoy enhanced contrast, accurate colors and fine details utilizing all the most advanced HDR formats.
  • Dolby Atmos - Enjoy an immersive cinematic experience at home with Dolby Atmos built-in.
  • Endless entertainment - Stream more than 1 million movies and TV episodes. Watch favorites from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock, and more, plus listen to millions of songs. Subscription fees may apply.
SaleBestseller No. 7
TCL 50-Inch Class S4 4K LED Smart TV with Roku TV (50S450R, 2023 Model), Dolby Vision, HDR, Dolby...
  • 4K Ultra HD Resolution: Experience incredible detail with 4X the resolution of 1080p Full HDTVs.
  • HDR PRO (Dolby Vision, HDR10, & HLG): Enjoy enhanced contrast, accurate colors and fine details utilizing all the most advanced HDR formats.
  • Motion Rate 120: Combines multiple motion enhancement technologies for improved motion clarity
  • Dolby Atmos: Enjoy an immersive cinematic experience at home with Dolby Atmos built-in.
  • Auto Game Mode (ALLM): Automatically enables game mode for the lowest possible input lag and latency for an unmatched gaming performance.
SaleBestseller No. 8
2,890 Reviews
Hisense 75-Inch Class A6 Series 4K UHD Smart Google TV with Alexa Compatibility, Dolby Vision HDR,...
  • 4K Ultra High Definition: More pixels on the screen produces a more clear and succinct picture making content look more realistic and true to life. Combined with Hisense's AI UHD Upscaler , non 4K content will get enhanced to near 4K quality.
  • Google TV: The entertainment you love. With a little help from Google. Google TV brings together movies, shows, live TV and more from across your apps and subscriptions and organizes them just for you.
  • Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10: Innovative visual technology, Dolby Vision, brings the characters to life with darker darks, brighter brights , and a remarkable color range you can't get anywhere else. HDR10 is an HDR format that delivers HDR content via compatible over the air signals.
  • Game Mode Plus: A collection of technologies come together to create a dynamic gaming experience. A 60Hz panel, variable refresh rate, and auto low latency mode makes sure that the television can handle the rigors of next generation gaming consoles.
  • Sports Mode: With sports mode's preset settings, the television automatically adjusts itself to optimize sports content. Motion is smoother and color is adjusted for the best sports experience the television is capable of.
SaleBestseller No. 9
LG 55-Inch Class UQ7570 Series 4K Smart TV, AI-Powered 4K, Cloud Gaming (55UQ7570PUJ, 2022), Black
  • a5 GEN5 AI PROCESSOR: Enhance your picture and sound with AI from the a5 Gen5 AI Processor..Frequency : 60 hertz
  • WEBOS 22: Customize your viewing experience with separate accounts and personalized recommendations for every member of your family.
  • ULTIMATE STREAMING: Find your faves fast with built-in access to Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV app, Disney+, HBO Max and instant access to over 300+ free LG Channels with everything from comedy to movies to sports.
  • LG CHANNELS: Discover something new or find your faves with free access to programming on over 300+ LG Channels.
  • GAME OPTIMIZER: Make it the best gaming experience by quickly adjusting all your game settings in one location.
SaleBestseller No. 10
TCL 43-Inch Class S4 4K LED Smart TV with Google TV (43S450G, 2023 Model), Dolby Vision, HDR Pro,...
  • 4K Ultra HD Resolution: experience incredible detail with 4X the resolution of 1080p Full HDTVs.
  • Motion Rate 240 with MEMC Frame Insertion: Combines multiple motion enhancement technologies for exceptional motion clarity
  • HDR PRO (Dolby Vision, HDR10, & HLG): Enjoy enhanced contrast, accurate colors and fine details utilizing all the most advanced HDR formats.
  • Google TV Smart OS: The entertainment you love. Google TV brings your favorite movies, shows, and live shows together.
  • Auto Game Mode (ALLM): Automatically enables game mode for the lowest possible input lag and latency for an unmatched gaming performance.
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Last update on 2023-10-02

Lance Ulanoff is a renowned tech journalist, commentator, and on-air expert with over 36 years of experience. He has held esteemed positions including Editor in Chief of Lifewire and Mashable, where he delved into the impact of technology on daily life. Lance's expertise has been featured on major news programs globally, and he has made appearances on Fox News, CNBC, and the BBC.