TVs used to be giant, heavy boxes. I still remember the TV set in my grandparents’ house – it was so big that it even had a cabinet door. For many of you, today’s TVs are more like artworks you can hang on the wall.

When LCD TVs became available in the market, and the price of the 40-inch models dropped to less than $500, many families replaced their old, bulky boxes with these sleek, thin panels. And, the TV technology advancement hasn’t stopped there. The resolution of the TVs has continued to improve. Now, 4K TV is bringing the viewing experience to whole, new level.

If you haven’t heard of it, I’d like to introduce you to the 4K TV.

What’s a 4K TV?

A 4K TV offers a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels, a slight reduction of the original Digital Cinema Initiatives recommended 4096 x 2160. It offers four times the resolution of Full HD TV. Therefore, on a compatible TV, viewing a 4K movie is a truly cinematic experience!

Are 4K TVs also Smart TVs?

Currently, there are no 4K TV channels currently being broadcast. However, 4K content is starting to appear on the web. Online video sites, such as YouTube, Vimeo, DailyMotion and Vevo have 4K video available for people to watch. Netflix will add twelve 4K shows and films in 2015. BBC also recently announced to stream World Cup matches in 4K Ultra HD; viewers can access the content via 4K TVs from BBC sites.

Since 4K content is currently available online only, most 4K TVs are also Smart TVs. Do make sure that you get a 4K TV with internet connectivity and that your internet connection is steady, with a speed of 25 Mbit per second or higher. This way you can watch an online 4K video or film without a hitch or glitch.

Should I get a 4K TV?

If your internet connection has a speed greater than 25 Mbit per second, you enjoy watching online video on your laptop or computer, and you still have one of those clunky TV boxes sitting in your living room, then, yes, you should definitely consider getting a 4K TV as your next upgrade! There are quite a few affordable options on the market, and the price for 4K TVs has recently dropped. For example, the Hisense 50 inch 4K TV is less than $600. Polaroid also launched its first cut-price 4K TV with a 55-inch display. Both of these affordable 4K TV models are equipped with the Opera TV Store, a cloud-based app storefront, where you can download hundreds of TV apps and get the most out of the web on a 4K TV screen.

Tempting? Share your thoughts on 4K TV in the comments below.

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