Football on TV has never looked better, which is great news for armchair football fans. With 4K upscaling and modern 4K TV technology, even non 4K broadcasts can be transformed into sharper, more detailed viewing. Whether you want the football to be more thrilling or your movies to feel more immersive, 4K upscaling is the way to go for your next TV.
In this guide, we explain what 4K technology is, how 4K TV upscaling works and how it will make anything you watch look and feel better than ever.
What is 4K technology?
4K technology is an ultra‑high‑definition picture quality that delivers more detail than a standard or full HD TV. A 4K TV has a higher pixel count, making images sharper, smoother and more lifelike – especially on larger screens.
The 4K facts:
Resolution: 4K TVs typically display a resolution of 3840 × 2160 pixels
Pixel count: Around 8.3 million pixels – four times more than Full HD
Aspect ratio: Standard widescreen 16:9
Hardware: Requires a 4K TV and compatible content sources to view native 4K
What is 4K TV upscaling?
4K TV upscaling takes a regular broadcast or recording and makes it look better. Pictures appear sharper, with richer colours and deeper blacks. So, if you watch RTÉ One on an HD TV and then on a 4K UHD TV, you’ll instantly notice an improvement, even though the source isn’t native 4K.
How does 4K TV upscaling work?
4K TV upscaling works by a process called interpolation. This is where the upscaling engines add new pixels to the original image to make it larger and then apply colour based on the surrounding pixels. The larger picture is then refined by sharpening or softening, with filters applied to finish the upscaling.
The best 4K TVs have an upscaling engine inside them. Not all TVs feature upscaling engines, but models from Samsung, Sony, and LG do.
4K upscaling for HD content
As you’ll know by now, 4K HDR TVs are made up of heaps more pixels than Full HD TVs – over 8 million compared to the 2 million of HD sets. This equates to 1080p for HD and 2160p for 4K screens.
The gap means there’s more screen space to fill when watching HD content on a 4K TV. Upscaling takes that HD image and makes it bigger and better. You’ll enjoy the best results with upscaling when watching HD channels rather than standard definition (SD) on your 4K HDR TV.
Why? Because programmes broadcast in SD are lower resolution than HD – 720p compared with 1080p. Because HD has more pixels than SD, there’s less work for the upscaling engine to do.
So, when you’re watching BBC One HD, ITV HD and any of the Sky HD channels, you’ll get a better picture with your 4K TV. The same can be said for watching regular Blu-ray, although Ultra HD Blu-ray is available with proper 4K discs.
How to watch football in 4K
Even if the results of the football aren’t great, you can make sure it at least looks amazing by watching it in stunning 4K. How? Here’s how to get started:
Pick a 4K TV
Most importantly, make sure the TV you choose is a 4K upscaling TV that can improve both native 4K and HD broadcasts.Check your football broadcasters
Sky Sports, BT Sport Ultra HD and Amazon Prime will be broadcasting Premier League and Champions League matches throughout the season in true native 4K.Access HD terrestrial channels
Various international matches are shown on RTÉ One and Virgin Media. If you have access to HD channels through your TV’s built‑in Freeview, set‑top box or Sky box, you’ll be able to watch on RTÉ One and Virgin Media One.Sit back and enjoy
With 4K upscaling, football looks crisper and more immersive than on a standard HD TV. You’ll see every tackle, pass and set piece in sharper detail.
Ready to experience the thrill of football in 4K?
Decided you’re ready to upgrade? Great! Finding the right TV for your needs is the first step to creating the ultimate TV set-up. Our TV Buying Guide is filled with expert tips to help you make the most informed decision when buying your next TV.
FAQs on 4K upscaling
What resolution is 4K?
A 4K TV delivers a display resolution of 3840 × 2160 pixels. This is roughly four times the number of pixels found on a Full HD TV, and on larger screens, you can really see the finer details and improved clarity.
What’s the difference between HD and 4K?
The difference between HD and 4K is the pixel count. An HD TV will usually display 1920 × 1080 pixels, whereas a 4K TV displays 3840 × 2160 pixels. This higher pixel count results in clearer images, better detail and smoother motion, which is important for watching sport or any fast‑moving action.
How do I tell if my TV is 4K?
If the resolution on your TV is listed as 3840 x 2160, or if it’s specifically described as Ultra HD or 4K, then it will support 4K content. You can also check if your TV is 4K by looking at the model specs in the TV settings menu, user manual or manufacturer website.
