Will my 1080 laptop resolution be properly displayed on a 4k tv?

[GerryStilton]

Hi All,

My laptop has a plain vanilla Intel HD that displays at max resolution of 1080 when connected to an external monitor. I am considering to get a Vizio M series 50" 4K tv as a monitor.

My concern/question is will the 4k tv be able to display the 1080 resolution properly? Vizio advertise it can "upscale" on the 4k tv, which I gather it can convert to 4K.
1) Will the 4k tv be able to display 1080 with clarity?
2) Will the 4k tv be able to actually upscale the 1080 to something close to 4K?
3) I am assuming I would need to get a HDMI 2.0 cable to connect between my laptop and the 4k tv to even try to see if (1) and (2) above would work. Is that correct?

It will be great if I can get the extra resolution, but even if not, I still would like to know if it can display 1080 nicely.

Thank you,

Gerry.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

What model is your laptop/what CPU does it have? I'm pretty sure it'll be able to output at least 2560x1440.

An HDMI 2.0 cable is only necessary if you want 4K at 60Hx - HDMI 1.4 can do 4K at 30Hz or lower resolutions at 60Hz.

1080p on a 4K display shouldn't look any worse than 1080p on a similarly sized 1080p display. It's unlikely to look any better, though. Especially application content rather than video.

 

[GerryStilton]

Hi SomeoneSomewhere,

Thanks for responding to my question. My laptop is an Acer Aspire TimelineX AS5820T, I had it for a few years now:
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-TimelineX-AS5820T-6401-15-6-Inch-Aluminum/dp/B004ETOBPI

This is the 4k TV I am looking to get:
http://www.costco.com/Vizio-50%22-Class-(49.5%22-Diag.)-4K-Ultra-HD-Smart-LED-LCD-TV-M50-C1.product.100212121.html

Since any one of these guys easily cost more than the Vizio 4k TV and it is bigger and way cheaper:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007617%20600554755%20600554975%20600338147%20600560548%20600560547&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=30

I want to be able to use it for my desktop as well, as soon as I get a 4K card like a GTX980.
Do you think it is a better buy than getting a 4K monitor?

Thanks again,

Gerry

What model is your laptop/what CPU does it have? I'm pretty sure it'll be able to output at least 2560x1440.

An HDMI 2.0 cable is only necessary if you want 4K at 60Hx - HDMI 1.4 can do 4K at 30Hz or lower resolutions at 60Hz.

1080p on a 4K display shouldn't look any worse than 1080p on a similarly sized 1080p display. It's unlikely to look any better, though. Especially application content rather than video.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

The thing with really big displays is that if you're too close, you can't see the whole thing at once. I think a 50" would simply be too large.

You can pick up 28" 4K displays for about $400, though that's possibly a little on the small size for a full 4K display. A 43" TV will set you back about $580, and is probably closer to the right size if you can mount it a fair distance away.

It looks like the integrated graphics in your computer should support 2560x1440, but probably not 4K. That'll still give you a decent amount of screen space, though it may be better to just buy a 2560x1440 display and then buy a couple more when you get a desktop.

You've also got the option of buying a USB graphics card, which should work for 4K.

 

[GerryStilton]

Hi SomeoneSomewhere,

Thanks for your reply. The smaller size is actually better one for me looks like. Thanks for the suggestion. As long as I can see the output from my old laptop to the 4k, I will be happy until I get an upgraded desktop.

Thanks again.

Gerry