What is HD & Ultra HD? Clear Comparison and Upscaling Solution

Before selecting any video quality for your high-quality streaming or before investing in a High-Definition display device, you must know what is HD, FullHD, or Ultra HD to get the most out of any video quality.
difference between uhd and hd

Introduction

To enjoy video streaming with ultimate satisfaction, you must select the best video quality that is compatible with your favorite display device. As many video quality options, such as HD, FullHD, UHD, etc., are available for streaming, it could be confusing what to choose or how to upscale any low-quality video to a high-definition video. Let's see what is HD or what is Ultra HD video with an automatic video upscaling option is. 

What is HD ?

HD stands for High Definition, which refers to a video quality with a resolution of 1280 horizontal × 720 vertical pixels and 921,600 total megapixels. HD resolution has been denoted by 720p, and it has a 16:9 aspect ratio. HD resolution has around 4500 to 6000 Kbps bit rate, and the frame rate varies from 30fps to up to 120fps. 

As the pixels define the video resolution, the standard pixel amount in HD gives you a clear and sharp video image on your HD-compatible device, such as a TV, smartphone, laptop, monitor, tablet, etc. 

What is Ultra HD?  

Ultra HD is another high-resolution video quality with 3840 horizontal ×, 2160 vertical pixels, and 8,294,400 total megapixels. Because the pixel amount is much higher than the HD resolution, Ultra HD video gives more clarity, sharpness, and vibrancy. 

The more pixels, the more information is in the video image, which enhances its visual quality. Therefore, with more pixels, Ultra HD has a 1.77:1 aspect ratio, 35 to 45 Mbps bit rate with a 24 to 30 frame rate, and 53 to 68 bit rate with a 48 to 60 frame rate. 

Ultra HD is often confused with 4K because both have the same pixel amount in practice. Is 4k the same as uhd? However, 4K actually has 4096 horizontal × 2160 vertical pixels. UHD and 4K have been used interchangeably due to device manufacturing and advertising purposes to dilute the complexity between them.

What is the Difference Between UHD and HD? 

UHD is the successor to HD resolution, with more pixels leading to high picture quality with more data, details, and clarity. However, to know the fundamental difference between Ultra HD and HD, let's look at the compact comparison table given below. 

Video Quality DynamicsHDUltra HD
Resolution1280 × 720 pixels & 921,600 total pixels3840 × 2160 pixels & 8,294,400 total pixels
File Size storageSmall file size consumes less device storage Large file size requires more device storage
Image QualityClear & Crisp Extreme clarity with fine details
Internet StrengthHaving small file size & less information, it requires moderate internet bandwidthHaving large file size & more information it consumes higher bandwidth
Suitable Screen SizeOn an average 65 inchesBest for larger screen
Content CompatibilityMost of the online, social media, OTT & any other contentContent of a few streaming services, movies, TV shows
CostAffordable for major audienceUHD supported devices are quite expensive
Device CompatibilityIt is compatible with most of the devicesFor UHD quality streaming satisfaction you need UHD supported device

How to Upscale HD video to UHD using UniFab Video Upscaler AI

Suppose you have a vast video collection of HD quality and want to enjoy it in Ultra HD quality. In that case, UniFab Video Upscaler AI is a one-stop shop that uses full automation and unparalleled customization. 

This AI-driven video upscaler seamlessly enhances HD videos to 4K or 8K resolution, requiring no technical expertise or manual adjustments. It automatically detects and resolves common video quality issues, including loss of detail, compression artifacts, noise, over-sharpened halos, jagged edges, and blurry visuals—significantly enhancing the overall video quality.

Key Features of UniFab Video Upscaler

  • Universal Model

From a black-and-white movie to a homemade video, you can upscale any low-resolution video up to 8K while enhancing and defining clarity, restoring lost details, and optimizing color depth. 

upscale movie to 4k
  • Animation Model

Whether it's your cartoon video, animation series, or motion graphic chips, this model allows you to preserve minute details while balancing artistic integrity. 

animation video 4k processing effect
  • Converts Videos to  Popular Formats

Easily converts video format to MP4 or MKV for smooth playback on various devices.

  • 50x Faster Conversion with GPU Acceleration

With advanced GPU acceleration, the software enhances and converts videos up to 50 times faster than standard tools.

  • Batch Processing & Editing

Batch processing allows you to upscale multiple videos in one go. Using a built-in editor, you can edit any video by trimming. 

  • Flexible Customization

Using UniFab, you can personalize your output profile with versatile parameters such as codec, resolution, format, and quality.

Steps to Convert HD Video to Ultra HD Using UniFab Video Upscaler

Free Download

30-day Free Trial with full feature access!

Step 1

Open the UniFab program on Mac or Windows > moving to 'All Features' to choose “Upscaler” Mode. 

unifab video enhancer-step1
Step 2

Upload the HD video file to the program to enlarge. 

unifab video enhancer-step2
Step 3

You can go for the further customization of the output profile with resolution, codec, format, quality, and more. 

unifab video enhancer-step3
Step 4

Next, go for the “Start” option to initiate the video enlarging process. 

Conclusion

When you have a brief idea about what is HD and Ultra HD, their fundamental dynamics, and their comparison, it's time to decide what resolution best suits your device. If you want to enjoy all system-stored video in Ultra HD quality, nothing would be more effective than the UniFab Video Upscaler AI, with complete automation and ultimate flexibility. 

FAQs

What is Full HD? 

Full HD is a video quality that refers to resolution with 1920 horizontal ×, 1080 vertical pixels, and 2,073,600 megapixels. It has a 16:9 aspect ratio. Full HD is a 50% larger 720p HD resolution with 2.25 times more pixels. Its bitrate is around 4500 to 6000 kbps. If you’re curious about the differences between standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD), you might want to explore: SD vs HD.

What is the difference between HD and Ultra HD on Netflix?

The main difference between HD and Ultra HD on Netflix lies in resolution and picture quality. HD (1080p) offers a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, suitable for smaller screens, while Ultra HD (4K) delivers a much sharper 3840 x 2160 pixels, providing four times the clarity of HD. Ultra HD also supports better color depth, HDR for enhanced contrast, and requires faster internet speeds (15 Mbps or higher) along with a 4K-compatible device and Premium Netflix plan for streaming.

Can I watch Ultra HD on my TV?

Yes, you can watch Ultra HD on your TV if it supports 4K resolution. You'll need a 4K-compatible streaming device, fast internet, and a service that offers Ultra HD content. Ensure your HDMI cables also support 4K. Additionally, if you're working with non-4K videos and want to upscale them, using an HD video converter or video upscaling software can help transform lower resolution videos to 4K or Ultra HD for a better viewing experience.

HarperMore >>
I enjoy capturing life's beautiful moments and exploring innovation. Trying different video editing software helps me find the best tools for my work. My articles aim to help you discover video editing software that fits your style, as we navigate the ever-changing world of technology together.