Is it Worth Buying an 8K TV in 2020?

Considering the advancements in technology, buying an 8K TV in 2020 can be a tricky decision. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons, as well as the practicality of purchasing an 8K television today.

The Debate Continues: 4K vs 8K

The argument for an 8K television in 2020 is not as strong as one might think. Content availability and visual quality issues continue to be significant challenges. According to most experts, the benefits of an 8K TV are not as evident as one might hope.

One prominent opinion is that 4K is already the highest resolution any home user needs. This view suggests that investing in an 8K TV might be premature, given that the content available in 8K is still limited. With only a fraction of one percent of broadcast content being worth watching, the practicality of upgrading to 8K can be questionable.

While some argue that an 8K TV offers clearer, more detailed visuals, others claim that the differences are subtle and not as significant as manufacturers would have us believe. A 2018 study comparing 4K and 8K TVs found that the 4K TVs performed better, further supporting this view.

When Should You Consider an 8K TV?

Despite these concerns, there are specific scenarios where an 8K TV might be more beneficial:

Large Screen Size: For screens measuring 75 inches or more, an 8K TV can provide a significant visual upgrade. The higher resolution offers a more immersive experience and improved clarity. Geeking Out: If you have a fascination for technology and want to experience the latest display advancements, an 8K TV can be a worthwhile purchase.

However, for more standard sizes, the benefits are less pronounced. A 65-inch 8K TV may not be as noticeable to the naked eye, especially when compared to a high-quality 4K TV. The differences become more apparent at distances closer to the screen and with high-quality content.

Waiting for the Best Deals and Improvements

One key recommendation is to wait until the end of the year for the best deals and discounts. Manufacturers often release new models at the start of the year with the latest technology, which can be more expensive. By waiting, you can find better prices and potentially even newer models with improved features.

Another important factor is the continual advancements in image processing technology. With the advent of AI-based upscaling, the differences between 4K and 8K are becoming increasingly subtle. Even with current upscaling capabilities, 4K downsampled from an 8K source looks better than 4K from a 4K source. As AI technology improves, the differences on larger screens will become even harder to notice.

Content and Transmission Technology

The future of TV technology is poised to bring significant changes. Current compression algorithms like HEVC and the upcoming VVC (Versatile Video Coding) will reduce the required bitrates, making 8K content more accessible.

As a result, 8K TVs are not expected to require data rates that exceed most modern connections. Even with advanced upscaling, the differences will be minor and less noticeable. The VMAF (Video Multi-Device File Comparisons) measure, used by Netflix, shows that AI downscaling and upscaling can achieve perceptually lossless results.

With the right transmission and upscaling techniques, 4K content can be transmitted at 2k resolution, and then upscaling to 4k can achieve a VMAF score of 92.5, which is perceptually lossless. This highlights the feasibility of transmitting content at lower resolutions and upgrading to the desired resolution at the TV end.

In conclusion, while 8K technology has the potential to revolutionize the TV experience, it is not yet the most practical or cost-effective choice for the average consumer in 2020. Waiting for advancements in technology, content availability, and better deals could make an 8K TV a more realistic and satisfying purchase in the near future.