We are already witnessing a sudden upsurge in the tech world, enabling us to achieve advancements that were inconceivable a decade ago. As nothing remains the same, the way of living, especially recreational activities, have seen a sea change. People after spending their tiring day at work require some kind of entertainment. It has zeroed in the considerable attention on the Media industry. Hence, the world of entertainment has engendered the stimulus forcing inventors and tech developers to innovate impressive stuff. One such tech is the digital screens through which you consume the media, including movies, TV shows, and video games.
The screens that come fitted in Smart TVs and Smartphones have been going through continuous developments for years and are still in the refining phases to achieve more efficient solutions. These screens come in a variety of versions with the fundamental feature known as resolution. The screen resolution plays a significant role in deciding the quality of the screen or its crispness. Some commonly known Screen Resolutions are SD (Standard Definition), HD (High Definition), Full HD (Full High Definition), HDX, 2K, 4K (UHD), and 8K.
What is Screen Resolution?
The technical definition is the number of distinct pixels embedded or displayed through the screen. It is generally counted as the pixels per inch (PPI) or the pixel density to give you an idea of the quality.
Here in this article, we will compare and give you a detailed account of HDX (somewhat better than 1080p) and UHD (4K). Without any further delay, let’s get straight into the details.
What is HDX?
The HDX format, which expands for High Definition Extra, is an improved 1080p. The video quality delivered is the real-time pixels density of 1080p or Full HD (720*1080) resolution. Manufactured with the intention to provide the best possible watching experience in the least possible data. Here, you get the 720 horizontal lines representation in the video, and the overall resolution is Full HD. Besides, the available video is perfectly encoded in double the bit rate as compared to the HD.
The HDX resolution tech, known for its adaptive compression techniques, works in sync with the streaming device. It provides efficient performance on centralized platforms and devices. Built on the top of ICA remoting technology, it is prevalent among millions of users.
Pros:
- The display optimization with adaptive transporting tech, enabling it to seamlessly switch between different protocols (including UDP, TCP) as per requirements. Thereby, it engenders the seamless streaming of videos to end-users.
- The bandwidth consumption is considerably less while delivering top-notch imaging quality. The codecs like H.264 and H.265 helps provide superior output.
- While having video communications (official meetings or casual talks), the HDX ensures unaltered streaming. The audio is given equal priority while balancing the parameters and minimizing the latency. All in all, you get to receive a seamless experience even in remote areas.
- The expenses are low in comparison and are compatible with 4k output devices.
- The quality change from 480p to HDX is nearly the same as 480p to 4K if you compare on small screens. Hence, if you are a casual user and not some fastidious user, the change between HDX and UHD will not make such a change.
- Additionally, it has many working capabilities to optimize the Users Experience and facilitates IT businesses.
- Requires the lower use of bandwidth for streaming the videos on various platforms as the memory size of media with HDX resolution.
Cons:
- Due to the low pixel density, the HDX can not be considered as a future-proof option. Till the technology is updated while increasing the pixel density.
- The sound quality is not that good if compared.
- Talking of the quality of the video, the color reproduction, and overall aspects are inferior.
What is UHD?
The Ultra High Definition (4K or 8K) is the technology advancement of resolution also called a Hybrid display format for Screens. As of today, it includes both 4K UHD and 8K UHD.
The 4K resolution alludes to 4000 horizontal pixels displayed on the screen. It has a resolution of 3840*2160 pixels which amounts to around 8,294,400 pixels on any screen. This digital television standard has an aspect ratio of 16:9 and an uncompressed bit rate of 144 Gbit/s. The video of this resolution is encoded in the four-time bit rate of 1080p resolution.
For the 8K UHD, the pixels are 7680*4320, which amounts to over 33 million pixels to be displayed. It is even denser in pixels, ensuring world-class crispness in both sound and video quality.
Pros:
- If you plan to experience your preferred movies and TV shows in similar screen sizes in theatres, it forms an ideal resolution to opt for. The 8 million pixels are enough to give you the perfectly crisp quality.
- It readily delivers that No-Pixelation effect which eliminates the potential complications related to the eyes. The problems like intraocular pressure, eye irritation, and sore or watery eyes are obviated beforehand.
- The Ultra High Definition or 4K is the future-proof tech and will be highly relevant in the coming years.
- The jaw-dropping visuals of the produced media are highly appreciable in the field of security cameras. Thus, assisting in providing that high-quality footage for vigilance purposes.
- The color depth and bit rates are considerably higher, providing the best-in-class videos for better production.
Cons:
- Here the requirement of bandwidth to stream such high-quality videos is too high.
- It mandates the requirement of humongous storage because the UHD files are large. To give you an idea, an hour-long video of 4K resolution will be around 50 to 300 GB, depending on the codecs and cameras it was recorded.
- Video comms in this high-quality is not feasible. The huge transfers of data packets will cause considerable packet losses, which further degrades the quality.
- The time consumed in transferring and rendering the files is considerably high due to these heavy UHD files incorporating a large amount of data.
- The streaming platforms available for delivering entertainment to the people recommend avoiding 4K streaming. It is due to the requirement of around 30Mbps connection which is currently an impossible scenario in many regions.
A Brief Comparison
Brightness
The brightness level is one of the fundamental aspects to consider to enhance the viewing experience. The UHD-enabled devices when streaming the 4K (UHD) movies have the highest possible luminosity available, making them the brightest ones in the market. On the contrary, the HDX technology is no match against the UHD.
Bitrate
This aspect makes sure of the details shown in the predetermined sequence of a streaming video. The scenes need a varying amount of bit rates. In the HDX, the bit rates vary from 9Mbps to 3 Mbps approximately. However, the bit rates for UHD technology vary from 44 Mbps to 68 Mbps. Hence, it is obvious that UHD would be delivering the best possible details.
Download/Upload speed Requirements
The Download/Upload speed requirement changes based on the size of the files you will work on. As the HDX enabled files to have lower resolution and less information embedded in them. Hence, the lower download speeds of 4.5 Mbps are enough to save time and ideal to stream the content of HDX resolution.
On the other hand, the UHD files incorporating the huge data files would require around 30Mbps internet connection for the efficient and uninterrupted experience while streaming the 4K UHD content.
Color Tones or Wider Color Gamut
The WCG helps widen the scope of color tones. This aspect is perfectly balanced together with providing the deeper and truly immersive quality of pictures in the UHD technology-enabled devices. While the HDX cannot manage the WCG at that level being considerably lower pixel holder.
Devices Compatibility
The ultimate thing to relish the UHD or HDX experience is the device on which you will consume the media. If your device is capable of only HD (720p) content, then streaming this high content would be of no good. The users generally opt for high-end devices that are capable of streaming 4K data easily. It further ensures that streaming any quality of data below 4K would be ready enough.
Expenses
Everything comes at a price! To be precise, better things come with a higher price. Hence, the UHD (4K) quality costs higher in every possible aspect. Devices like TVs and monitors which are enabled with UHD are dearer than ones that are HDX enabled. The internet services appropriate for UHD costs higher than the HDX ones (30Mbps connection is more expensive than 4Mbps). Then the maintenance charges of UHD would also be higher than HDX compatible devices and connections.
Final Thoughts
Hitherto, you might have got a detailed notion about the elucidation and comparison of the HDX and UHD technology for the streaming services. Whenever you want to plump for a technology from the above-mentioned ones, consider a few things, including the quality you need to consume, the budget available should conform to the expenses included, and the availability of the devices and the relevant network. Be wise while deciding and enjoy the experience you desire.
