Ultra high definition televisions promise to make today's high definition televisions obsolete, delivering a much crisper, clearer image. With every major TV manufacturer pushing ultra high definition, or UHD, as the "next big thing", it would be easy to buy into the hype. But closer examination reveals these new screens won't be worthwhile for several years to come, if at all.

Where today's HD panels comprise 1920x1080 pixels, UHD increases this to a whopping 3840x2160 pixels. This is a huge four-fold increase, even greater than the leap from the chubby old PAL TVs of yesteryear to today's sleek high definition panels.

A curved 4K TV on offer from LG.

The obvious benefit of this explosion in pixels should be a much sharper image, especially at close range or with a large screen. UHD, also known as 4K, also includes an increase in the number of colours that can be displayed, as well as more frequent screen updates to smooth out motion. It all sounds great for movie and sport lovers, yet UHD mightn't be the giant leap forwards it claims to be.

Firstly, there is a complete lack of any UHD content. It's possible to walk into most Australian retailers and purchase a new UHD television today, where vivid in-store demonstrations show how superior UHD is to lowly HD displays. It's only when the TV is plugged in at home buyers will discover there isn't a single second of UHD content currently available in Australia.