When shopping for a TV, you may come across the terms 4K and HDR. Both technologies improve picture quality. However, they do so in very different ways. Let’s cut through the noise and learn what 4K and HDR mean.
The Difference Between HDR Formats (& Why You Should Care)
4K and HDR are not competing standards. 4K refers to screen resolution (the number of pixels that fit on a television screen or display). It is sometimes also called UHD or Ultra HD, although there is a slight difference.
HDR stands for High Dynamic Range, and refers to the contrast or color range between the lightest and darkest tones in an image. HDR produces higher contrast—or a greater range of colors and brightness—than Standard Dynamic Range (SDR), and is visually more impressive than 4K. That said, 4K produces a sharper, more defined image.
Both standards are increasingly being used in premium digital televisions and both deliver great picture quality. TV manufacturers are prioritizing the use of HDR on 4K Ultra HD TVs over 1080p or 720p TVs. There is little need to choose between the two standards.
