WHY 4K CONTENT IS DIFFERENT
Welcome to the resolution revolution.
TV picture quality has evolved. Offering greater detail, more vibrant colours and punchier contrast, 4K UHD heralds a leap even more significant than the jump we made from fuzzy old standard definition to HD. So, what exactly is 4K, and why will Foxtel’s new iQ4 set top box transform the way you watch TV?
To help understand just how significant this evolution is, let’s crunch some numbers: 4K delivers 20 times the resolution of standard def TV, and four times the picture resolution of HD. That translates to a resolution of 3,840 X 2,160 pixels, compared to 1920 x 1080 pixels for regular hi-def. With more detail on screen in 4K movies, sports and Docos, this new TV standard literally draws you into the image, revealing more the closer you view.
Subjectively, Ultra HD resolution gives skin tones and textures lifelike clarity, and landscapes gain an almost threedimensional depth (they’re not literally 3D, so you won’t need silly glasses).
The difference 4K makes to sports coverage is jaw-dropping. The fine detail brought to football is revelatory, with players kit more clearly defined, the ball always cleanly depicted. 4K also makes the drama and exertion on a player’s face painfully clear. You won’t just see the difference, you’ll feel it emotionally too. Motor racing is another beneficiary of 4K. The extra detail makes the cars look better than ever before. If you’re a petrol head, watching the Bathurst 1000 in 4K is the next best thing to being there (actually, it might even be better).
An increasing number of programs are now being shot natively in 4K, and all that blistering detail is delivered by the Foxtel iQ4 box to your TV.
4K is often referred to as UHD (Ultra High Definition), which is actually an umbrella term to describe a variety of different technical standards.
Of course, not all 4K is created equal. Streaming 4K services use the internet, making them subject to heavy compression. Picture quality can be more reflective of your broadband speed than the shows themselves. The good news is that Foxtel delivers 4K UHD via satellite, so you’re always guaranteed the best possible 4K picture quality.
Viva la revolution!
“THE DIFFERENCE 4K MAKES TO SPORTS COVERAGE IS JAW-DROPPING.”