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Why does 1080p upscale to 4k more smoothly than 720p to 1080p

When it comes to upscaling, or increasing the resolution of an image to fit a larger or higher resolution screen, the amount of detail and clarity that can be preserved depends on the relationship between the original resolution and the new, higher resolution. Specifically, the degree of upscaling needed and the complexity of the math involved in increasing the resolution can affect the final result.

In the case of upscaling 1080p (1920x1080) content to 4k (3840x2160), the degree of upscaling is 2x in both the horizontal and vertical directions. This means that each 1080p pixel needs to be expanded to a 2x2 grid of 4k pixels. This results in a moderate amount of upscaling, and the math involved is relatively straightforward. On the other hand, when upscaling 720p (1280x720) content to 1080p, the degree of upscaling is 1.5x in both directions, and the math involved is slightly more complex. This can result in a less smooth upscaling process and potentially more loss of detail.

Furthermore, the sophistication of the TV's or monitor's processing engine can also play a role in the quality of the upscaling. More expensive TVs from brands such as Samsung, LG, and Sony tend to have better upscaling capabilities than cheaper models. This is because they use more advanced algorithms and processing techniques to analyze the original signal and determine the best way to expand it to fit the new resolution.

In summary, the relationship between the original resolution and the new resolution, as well as the sophistication of the processing engine, can affect the smoothness and quality of the upscaling process. In general, upscaling 1080p content to 4k is likely to result in a smoother and more detailed image than upscaling 720p content to 1080p, due to the degree of upscaling and the complexity of the math involved.

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