This is the most crucial aspect of your new 4K TV if you have a limited budget, and it's not the pixels.
Image quality is not limited to the type of panel, especially in the case of online broadcasts.
For most consumers, purchasing one of the best TVs means opting for a 4K model. However, it is likely that most of these users do not have access to a significant amount of 4K content. This detail is crucial and should influence the buying decision.
The reason that most of the entertainment we consume does not offer 4K quality is that, unless the most expensive streaming plans are purchased, it is common to access content in 1080p Full HD or, in some cases, in even lower resolutions. For example, in the UK, platforms like Now TV provide content in 720p as standard.
As a cautious buyer, I am reluctant to pay more for a marginal improvement in streaming resolution. Moreover, with the rising cost of streaming services, it’s easy for those extra expenses to add up quickly. Although a few years ago 4K was a standard, the emergence of ad-supported plans has made this no longer a guarantee.
Even when opting for premium packages, not all content is available in 4K. An illustrative case is a program by Anthony Bourdain that I recently watched on a 4K streaming service; the show, filmed in 2002, had such low quality that it seemed to be made with low-resolution graphics.
While we cannot improve the quality of old SD programs to HD, nor make HD ones 4K, a good TV can help us enjoy them better. My experience with Bourdain's show was not bad, thanks to my TV's excellent image processor which effectively scales low-resolution content.
Generally, the larger the TV, the more relevant scaling quality becomes. Problems that are not evident on a 42-inch 4K panel can become very visible on one that is 65 inches or larger, due to the higher pixel density of the smaller models.
The scaling process relies on signal analysis, followed by noise reduction and sharpness enhancement, to finally convert the signal to 4K or 8K resolution if you have a compatible TV. Although this technology is not new, its relevance persists, especially with the evolution of streaming services.
Image processing is vital for any streaming quality since streaming video is not lossless; it is optimized for efficient delivery, which may involve losing some data. This causes visible issues such as color banding or unattractive gradients, especially in dark backgrounds. If there is network congestion, the bit rate may decrease, exacerbating these issues. A good image processor in the TV can address these problems in real-time.
When choosing the best TV with scaling capabilities, price plays a fundamental role. More affordable models often lack advanced scaling technologies. Well-known brands like Sony, LG, Samsung, Panasonic, and Philips feature highly sophisticated image processing systems in their high-end models.
While all manufacturers use scaling technology, some brands have impressed us with their quality, especially in reducing color banding; Sony, LG, and Panasonic stand out in this regard, while Samsung TVs for 2025 have shown significant improvements.
It is advisable to consult detailed reviews of the TVs being considered. Scaling is one of the most evaluated aspects, and the accumulated experience of reviewing multiple models helps identify what delivers natural scaling versus what looks artificial.
Visiting physical stores is also recommended, even if planning to make a purchase online. There, you can try out different models and assess their scaling capability; by turning off the demo mode, which usually shines in brightness and contrast, and requesting content that is not 4K, you can better appreciate the true quality of the TV.
Viewing 4K content on a 4K TV will not truly allow you to evaluate its image processing system; it is the lower-resolution content that tests its capabilities and makes the difference between acceptable and exceptional performance.
