What is HD, Full HD and 4K?
When browsing channel settings or choosing quality in your IPTV app you'll come across terms like HD, Full HD, 4K and UHD. Here we explain what they actually mean, what difference you'll notice in practice and how to choose the right quality for your situation.
What is resolution?
Resolution refers to how many picture elements (pixels) an image consists of. The more pixels, the sharper and more detailed the image. Simply put — higher resolution means better picture quality, but also demands more from your internet connection.
The most common formats
| Format | Resolution | Total pixels | Common name |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD | 720 × 480 | 345,600 | Standard Definition |
| HD | 1280 × 720 | 921,600 | HD Ready / 720p |
| Full HD | 1920 × 1080 | 2,073,600 | FHD / 1080p |
| 4K / UHD | 3840 × 2160 | 8,294,400 | Ultra HD / 2160p |
A 4K image contains four times as many pixels as Full HD — delivering a noticeably sharper picture on large screens.
What do you see in practice?
SD — Standard Definition
SD is the oldest and lowest format. The picture can look blurry on modern TV screens, especially on larger displays. Most channels have moved to HD or higher, but some older and international channels still broadcast in SD.
HD — 720p
HD is a big step up from SD and looks good on most TV screens up to 40 inches. It's a good middle ground if your internet connection is limited.
Full HD — 1080p
Full HD is today's standard format for most TV channels and streaming services. It looks sharp on TV screens up to 65 inches and requires a reasonable but not excessively fast internet connection.
4K — Ultra HD
4K delivers impressive picture sharpness that's most noticeable on large TV screens over 55 inches and when sitting close to the screen. uPlay offers a growing selection of channels and content in 4K, marked with 4K or UHD in the channel name.
Tips
Sitting more than 3 metres from a 55-inch screen? The difference between Full HD and 4K is hard to see with the naked eye at that distance. Full HD is perfectly adequate for most living room situations.
What do you need to watch 4K?
To truly benefit from 4K you need:
- A 4K-compatible TV or screen — most modern TVs support 4K
- Sufficient internet connection — at least 50 Mbit/s recommended
- An app that supports 4K — both UHF and TiviMate support 4K
- A 4K channel — marked with 4K or UHD in the channel name on uPlay
HDR — what is it?
In addition to resolution, HDR (High Dynamic Range) also significantly affects picture quality. HDR isn't about the number of pixels but about colour range and contrast — bright areas become brighter and dark areas darker without losing detail.
uPlay supports HDR content on compatible devices and apps. The most common HDR formats are:
| Format | Supported by |
|---|---|
| HDR10 | Most modern TVs |
| Dolby Vision | Apple TV, LG TV and more |
| HLG | Common in live broadcasts |
Which format should I choose?
| Situation | Recommended format |
|---|---|
| Slow connection (under 20 Mbit/s) | HD (720p) |
| Normal connection, TV up to 55 inches | Full HD (1080p) |
| Fast connection, large TV | 4K (UHD) |
| Mobile or tablet | HD or Full HD |
| Streaming on hotel WiFi | HD (720p) |
Frequently asked questions
Can my old TV display 4K channels?
No. A TV that isn't 4K-compatible can still receive a 4K stream but will display it at a lower resolution. You won't see any quality difference compared to Full HD on a non-4K TV.
Why do some HD channels look blurry?
This can be because the channel technically broadcasts in HD but at a low bitrate — meaning the picture quality is heavily compressed to save bandwidth. This is a choice the channels make, not something uPlay controls.
What is RAW quality?
RAW is a term used by some IPTV services to describe uncompressed or minimally compressed streams. Read more in our guide on RAW vs HD/4K.
How do I know what quality a channel broadcasts in?
In most IPTV apps the resolution is shown in the channel name or in an information box while watching. In TiviMate you can enable an information overlay that shows the current resolution and bitrate.
Summary
- SD — lowest quality, suits older devices and slow connections
- HD (720p) — good quality for most situations with limited connection
- Full HD (1080p) — today's standard, looks great on most TV screens
- 4K (UHD) — best quality, requires fast connection and compatible TV
- HDR — improves colours and contrast regardless of resolution