4K Blu-Rays Vs. 4K Streaming: Which Is the Best Way to Enjoy Movies?

For years, movie-lovers have been flocking to theaters across the globe to catch the latest and greatest films on the big screen. Recently, however, there have been many changes in how we consume entertainment and where we do so. With the rise of streaming services, the convenience and cost-effectiveness of watching movies at home have become even more pronounced, allowing movie lovers to watch their favorite classics or newest releases without waiting in line before entering the theater or paying for overpriced movies.

As a result, millions of people are tuning in from the comfort of their living rooms, using services like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Go to stream new releases, or buying Blu-ray copies of their favorite movies. With so many options available to watch movies at home, it's no wonder that this trend is becoming increasingly popular among film buffs. There are two ways to enjoy UHD movies: 4K blu-ray and 4K streaming. In this article, we will explain the difference between 4K blu-ray and 4K streaming so that you can have a truly immersive visual experience. Let’s take a look.

What is QLED TV?

QLED stands for "Quantum Dot Light-emitting Diode." It is a type of LED/LCD that uses quantum dots to create its display. These quantum dots are nano-sized molecules that emit a distinct colored light of their own when exposed to a light source.

When it comes to QLED televisions, the dots are encased within a film, and an LED backlight supplies the light that strikes them. The light then goes through a few different layers within the TV, including a liquid crystal (LCD) layer, to generate the image on the screen.

These dots produce varying hues of light, depending on the particle size. The larger the particle size, the more red color is produced; the smaller the particle size, the greater the blue produced.

Since particle sizes adjust at quantum-level speeds, they are able to emit accurate colored light with high efficiency and repeatability. This high luminance efficiency makes QLED TVs capable of producing some of the most accurate and vivid colors that you will find on any television.

4 Misunderstandings about QLED TVs

As awesome as QLED TVs are, there are still some misunderstandings about them that give people a wrong impression of what they are. So, in the following section, we will dispel some of the most common misunderstandings about QLED TVs.

1. “QLED TVs are OLED TVs.”

The first rumor is that QLED TVs are OLED TVs. While there are similarities between the two technologies, they are actually quite different. The main difference between them is that OLED TVs do not rely on conventional LED (light-emitting diode) technology to generate images on the screen. Instead, they make use of organic LEDs for displays.

There is no need for an OLED screen to have a backlight because each pixel of it emits its own light. This provides a significant benefit in terms of contrast and color sharpness because the panels can contain completely dark pixels next to extremely bright pixels. It is possible to observe the image from 180 degrees due to the uniformity of light, color, and contrast produced by the individually lit pixels.

In comparison to other types of televisions, including QLED, OLED panels are significantly thinner due to the lack of a backlight in them. Depending on the model, this may make it bendable or allow for poster-style attachment to the wall. The one disadvantage of OLED is that it has not garnered widespread public acceptance, which has resulted in the decrease of manufacturers who offer them and fewer size options available for the consumers.

Benefits And Drawbacks of 4K Streaming And 4K Blu-rays

For some viewers, the promise of improved picture quality is enough to make a purchase when it comes to home entertainment gear. For others, it’s more than that: they want to know why they should buy a new TV or a new Blu-ray player because they already own one that works just fine.

If you’re one of those people, you’re probably wondering the difference between 4K Ultra HD content on Blu-rays and 4K streaming services like Netflix and YouTube. After all, both formats deliver roughly the same number of pixels. But there are still differences; it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison.

✧ Convenience

One of the main benefits of streaming movies is convenience and flexibility: We may be moving into an age where physical media is no longer king but it's not there yet. If you want the best possible graphics, you'll need space for those Blue-Rays. Streaming doesn't take up any physical space because your content is stored digitally.

✧ Adjustability

With 4K streaming, you also don't have to worry about whether or not your Internet connection has enough bandwidth for the stream. If your connection's speed drops below a certain level, the stream will adjust and still be watchable. It's all or nothing with a Blu-ray disc — whether standard or ultra. If your disc player can't read the disc at a certain point, you’re out of luck, and you’ll have to start playing the video again from the beginning.

✧ Seamless connectivity

Another benefit of streaming is that it eliminates the need for viewers to buy expensive equipment like blue-ray players or televisions and allows them to watch films on all kinds of devices. You need high-definition TV and fast internet, and then you are good to go!

✧ Affordability

Most streaming services offer free content included with a subscription fee. These usually include older shows and newer releases, whereas 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs are significantly more expensive than their standard 1080p counterparts. Some movies cost as much as $50 when they first hit shelves, especially if they contain extras like documentaries and audio commentaries in addition to the main feature film. 

So, Which One Is Better?

If you have limited space and want instant gratification, then 4K streaming TVs are the way to go. When buying a 4K streaming TV, you must check out a wide range of TCL LEDs. TCL is one of the leading brands of televisions. It offers different sizes and types of TVs to suit people's needs. The manufacturer also caters to people with a limited budget by offering affordable models.

For instance, TCL’s Mini LED TVs are the first step in this revolutionary new visual journey that delivers an enhanced contrast ratio for deep blacks and bright whites. It features Quantum Dot Technology — delivering more than a billion color combinations for ultra-realistic images from any viewing angle.

In their 4K QLED, they’ve combined innovative LED backlight with cutting-edge QLED picture quality to create a one-of-a-kind viewing experience. The result? A powerful, immersive display that brings your favorite movies, games, and shows to life in astonishing detail.

Next up is their Mini LED C935, which combines both and delivers the game-changing 4K clarity, motion sharpness, super high contrast ratio, and impressive surrounding audio effect to give you a superb home theatre experience. With an upscaling technology, it features the following benefits:

✧ Mini LED + QLED

✧ 1920 local dimming

✧ 144Hz VRR

✧ 2.1.2ch sound system with upfiring subwoofers

✧ Dolby Vision IQ & Atmos

✧ IMAX enhanced

Why Choose TCL?

Whether you’re a budding smart TV enthusiast or just looking to get the most out of your investment, TCL is excellent. Our TCL 4K LEDs are designed to shock you into awe as soon as you turn it on and witness an amazing picture far beyond your imagination. We have great design models for virtually any budget, and our stunning picture quality is second to none. To top it off, our customer service is fantastic too. If you’re looking for a new set of 4K TVs, you really can’t go wrong with TCL.