4K vs. HD: Every TV Resolution Explained, From 720p to 8K and Beyond - CNET

Our gifting experts are obsessively searching for holiday gifts that are unique, thoughtful and suitable for any budget. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Many TV broadcasts are only 720p. Some TVs are 8K. There's talk of even greater resolutions. Here's what you need to know. Yes, there’s a difference between 8K, 4K and HD. We’ll explain. TV resolutions can be a confusing jumble of letters and numbers. There’s very little consistency between the terms, and anyone who doesn’t regularly surf spec lists could understandably be baffled by it all. Sure, 8K is more than 4K, but is it twice as sharp? Is 1080p more or less than 4K? What’s UHD? While the best TVs are 4K, there are some (expensive) 8K TVs, and knowing the difference could save you some money. First, some basics. This should cover a big percentage of what you see when you’re shopping for a new TV: Still have questions? Let’s dive in a little deeper. Resolution, in terms of TV hardware, refers to the number of pixels that compose the picture on the TV. A single pixel, or discrete picture eleme