https://www.howtogeek.com/4k-upscaling-vs-native-4k-whats-the-difference-and-which-is-better/
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Thanks @TXRon. Another interesting read. So the answer is-----there is no answer.
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Ironic - I read a similar article related to this same questions during the holidays. I will link it below.
I feel that there are different variables in upscaling 4k that would affect how you perceive quality and performance difference between that and native 4k resolution.
In photography, when I got my first Nikon dslr years ago - as I got more and more familiar and capable with digital phototaking and post editing, I really appreciated how much more detail I was able to preserve and render taking photos in raw.
Same comparison can be made between optical and digital zoom.
That said, upscalers will always vary the end result based on type and capability - (e.g. Hardware or software upscaling, Ai capable hardware, brand of upscale). I feel the Shield does a good job with upscaling, with it’s Ai chip. I also have used upscalers for some old gen game consoles that aren’t very visually appealing at all. The pixel smoothing washed out the image and struggled with fast scenes, sometimes resembling screen tearing.
Native 4k res - what sucks here is the cost point constraints imposes compromises that doesn’t allow native 4k to really shine. The compromises will limit frame rates to be 30 or 60 fps. Noise reduction, anti-aliasing, sharpening, etc.
Native, imo, should always be better with the correct implementation.
For most tv viewing, most won’t be able to tell without a videophile’s discerning eye. In the PC world of gaming and video authoring, it’s more easy to see a difference, especially since you’re can do excess of 4k120, 144, 165, 240, and higher.
Anyway - here’s the link to the silimar article.
I’ve only had lower end boxes (Firestick, T95Z Plus, ONN 4K Pro) and any 4K streams have always been incredible - a noticeable difference between 4K and 1080P to my eye. I often hear one of the benefits of higher end boxes like the Shield is the ability to upscale streams and have always been suspect of this since what I get on my lower end boxes has always been great. Now I’m even more suspect after reading this
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I dunno, maybe it’s in my mind. But my eyes do think they are seeing better picture quality with nvidia shield upscaling. Especially on 720 or 1080p. That isn’t to say that a fire stick, onn, or chromecast, or even one of those cheap chinese boxes doesn’t have a great picture. Just that my mind says the nvidia with upscaling makes them think they are seeing better images lol
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It takes a lot of understanding as to how TV and Movies are packaged as well as what your equipment can handle. The article is a tad misleading imho. I have gone with the Nvidia team for understanding, or rather begining to understand, the best setup for the Shield Pro as well as exactly what the 4 major areas of video setup and quality are. I spent hours reading and guess what @MarkxG the Nvidia pros highly recommend using Kodi for video and clearly state that it has the best external settings for media. Go figure. I have my Display in the Shield settings, set to
3840x2160 59.940Hz
YUV 422 12-bit Rec. 2020
HDR10 READY
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Yeah maybe I don’t know what I have never seen but I do know what I get is exceptional for me. So if I believed that upscaling on a higher end box does in fact (I just don’t know?) produce a better picture to a naked eye, I still wouldn’t spend 3 times what it cost for my ONN 4K Pro to go out and Purchase that. I realize that there are some that want/need top of the line stuff but I’m perfectly happy what I see now
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Exactly @MarkxG . Your devices and being a Kodi aficionado will net you the best viewing you could want. As I’ve said many a time, if it works for you and you like it, what else matters.
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This was a GREAT comment, mthr1!
Heck I grew up with Gunsmoke, Paladin, # Stooges and the Andy Griffith show. So seeing Bonanza, The Wizard of Oz and the Lucy show in color was a giant leap. So my perception is very different. Based on mthr1’s comment, I’m very grateful for what I see now. The last thing that I think about is the picture quality as long as what I’m watching is good. Don’t hate me but I spend most of my watching time on older TV shows and movies. All the stuff that I missed, years ago, because I was at college or working.
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