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How to Make 1080P Look Better on A 4K Monitor?

Published on
6 min read
How to Make 1080P Look Better on A 4K Monitor? image

Best Tools and Accessories to Enhance 1080P on a 4K Monitor to Buy in October 2025

1 Surface Pro 6/5/4 Docking Station USB Hub USB 3.0 4K HDMI Hub Adapter, SD & TF/Micro SD Memory Card Reader, 4K@30Hz HDMI Port Converter Accessories for Microsoft Surface Pro 6/5/4

Surface Pro 6/5/4 Docking Station USB Hub USB 3.0 4K HDMI Hub Adapter, SD & TF/Micro SD Memory Card Reader, 4K@30Hz HDMI Port Converter Accessories for Microsoft Surface Pro 6/5/4

  • SUPER SPEED USB 3.0: TRANSFER FILES 10X FASTER, SAVE TIME!
  • 4K HDMI OUTPUT: CRYSTAL-CLEAR VISUALS FOR PRESENTATIONS & ENTERTAINMENT!
  • PLUG & PLAY: EASY COMPATIBILITY WITH SURFACE PRO-NO DRIVERS NEEDED!
BUY & SAVE
$24.99
Surface Pro 6/5/4 Docking Station USB Hub USB 3.0 4K HDMI Hub Adapter, SD & TF/Micro SD Memory Card Reader, 4K@30Hz HDMI Port Converter Accessories for Microsoft Surface Pro 6/5/4
2 FEELWORLD FW568 6 inch DSLR Camera Field Monitor with Waveform LUTs Video Peaking Focus Assist 1920x1080 IPS 4K HDMI Professional Video Accessories

FEELWORLD FW568 6 inch DSLR Camera Field Monitor with Waveform LUTs Video Peaking Focus Assist 1920x1080 IPS 4K HDMI Professional Video Accessories

  • FULL HD CLARITY: EXPERIENCE CRISP VISUALS WITH 1920X1080 RESOLUTION.

  • REAL-TIME LUT PREVIEW: MAINTAIN CREATIVE VISION WITH 32 CUSTOM LUTS.

  • PROFESSIONAL MONITORING: ADVANCED FEATURES FOR PRECISE EXPOSURE AND FOCUS.

BUY & SAVE
$119.99
FEELWORLD FW568 6 inch DSLR Camera Field Monitor with Waveform LUTs Video Peaking Focus Assist 1920x1080 IPS 4K HDMI Professional Video Accessories
3 Glomtheia USB C Hub Docking Station Dual Monitor for Laptop, MacBook Air/Pro Dock Adapter Multiport Dongle with 2 HDMI Ports 4K 60Hz, 100W PD Charging, 3 USBA 3.0 & USBC

Glomtheia USB C Hub Docking Station Dual Monitor for Laptop, MacBook Air/Pro Dock Adapter Multiport Dongle with 2 HDMI Ports 4K 60Hz, 100W PD Charging, 3 USBA 3.0 & USBC

  • EXPAND CAPABILITIES: 7-IN-1 HUB ENHANCES PRODUCTIVITY WITH DUAL HDMI & USB PORTS.

  • SEAMLESS MULTITASKING: DUAL 4K@60HZ DISPLAYS FOR IMMERSIVE WORK AND GAMING.

  • FAST, RELIABLE CHARGING: 100W PD CHARGING KEEPS YOUR LAPTOP POWERED UP.

BUY & SAVE
$29.99
Glomtheia USB C Hub Docking Station Dual Monitor for Laptop, MacBook Air/Pro Dock Adapter Multiport Dongle with 2 HDMI Ports 4K 60Hz, 100W PD Charging, 3 USBA 3.0 & USBC
4 MAGICRIG BMPCC 4K /BMPCC 6K Cage with Top Handle for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera BMPCC 4K /6K to Mount Microphone Monitor LED Light

MAGICRIG BMPCC 4K /BMPCC 6K Cage with Top Handle for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera BMPCC 4K /6K to Mount Microphone Monitor LED Light

  • SECURE FIT FOR BMPCC 4K/6K, PROTECTS YOUR CAMERA INVESTMENT
  • MULTIPLE MOUNTING OPTIONS FOR VERSATILE ACCESSORY INTEGRATION
  • EFFICIENT HEAT DISSIPATION ENSURES OPTIMAL SHOOTING PERFORMANCE
BUY & SAVE
$60.79 $63.99
Save 5%
MAGICRIG BMPCC 4K /BMPCC 6K Cage with Top Handle for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera BMPCC 4K /6K to Mount Microphone Monitor LED Light
5 SmallRig Phone Monitor Screen with Wireless Control, 1080P Wireless Recording (Support 4K 30fps), Video Monitor with Cold Shoe Mount, Real-Time Screen Sharing, for iPhone for MagSafe - 4850

SmallRig Phone Monitor Screen with Wireless Control, 1080P Wireless Recording (Support 4K 30fps), Video Monitor with Cold Shoe Mount, Real-Time Screen Sharing, for iPhone for MagSafe - 4850

  • SEAMLESS MAGSAFE COMPATIBILITY: INSTANTLY ATTACHES TO IPHONE 12-17 SERIES.
  • PRO-LEVEL STREAMING: 10M WIRELESS CONTROL FOR 4K VLOGS & SELFIES.
  • ALL-IN-ONE CONVENIENCE: 3+ HOUR BATTERY & ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES INCLUDED.
BUY & SAVE
$55.24 $64.99
Save 15%
SmallRig Phone Monitor Screen with Wireless Control, 1080P Wireless Recording (Support 4K 30fps), Video Monitor with Cold Shoe Mount, Real-Time Screen Sharing, for iPhone for MagSafe - 4850
6 Surface Pro 11/10/9 Accessories Docking Station & Adapter - 7-in-1 USB-C Hub for Dual Monitor, with 4K HDMI, USB C Thunderbolt 4 (8K@30Hz/40Gbps/100W PD), 2 USB 3.0, SD/TF Card Reader & 3.5mm Audio

Surface Pro 11/10/9 Accessories Docking Station & Adapter - 7-in-1 USB-C Hub for Dual Monitor, with 4K HDMI, USB C Thunderbolt 4 (8K@30Hz/40Gbps/100W PD), 2 USB 3.0, SD/TF Card Reader & 3.5mm Audio

  • TRANSFORM YOUR SURFACE PRO INTO A POWERFUL 7-IN-1 WORKSTATION!

  • EXTEND DUAL MONITORS WITH 8K ULTRA HD FOR ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY!

  • ENJOY 100W CHARGING AND HIGH-SPEED DATA TRANSFER ON-THE-GO!

BUY & SAVE
$29.99
Surface Pro 11/10/9 Accessories Docking Station & Adapter - 7-in-1 USB-C Hub for Dual Monitor, with 4K HDMI, USB C Thunderbolt 4 (8K@30Hz/40Gbps/100W PD), 2 USB 3.0, SD/TF Card Reader & 3.5mm Audio
7 Vlog Selfie Monitor Screen, Magnetic Phone Vlog Selfie Monitor Screen 4K 60fps Bluetooth Remote, Back Camera Monitor for Vlog Live Stream TikTok, Compatible with iPhone & Android

Vlog Selfie Monitor Screen, Magnetic Phone Vlog Selfie Monitor Screen 4K 60fps Bluetooth Remote, Back Camera Monitor for Vlog Live Stream TikTok, Compatible with iPhone & Android

  • PLUG-AND-PLAY 4K@60FPS: EFFORTLESS DUAL USB-C FOR STUNNING VIDEO QUALITY!

  • 400-LUMEN CLARITY: CRYSTAL-CLEAR VISUALS EVEN IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT.

  • 33FT BLUETOOTH REMOTE: FRAME SHOTS EASILY, PERFECT FOR SOLO CREATORS!

BUY & SAVE
$59.49 $69.99
Save 15%
Vlog Selfie Monitor Screen, Magnetic Phone Vlog Selfie Monitor Screen 4K 60fps Bluetooth Remote, Back Camera Monitor for Vlog Live Stream TikTok, Compatible with iPhone & Android
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ONE MORE?

If you have a 4K monitor and are watching content that is in 1080p resolution, the images may appear less sharp and may not utilize the full potential of your display. However, here are a few tips to enhance the visual quality of 1080p content on a 4K monitor:

  1. Display settings: Check your monitor's settings and ensure it is set to its native resolution (4K) for the best results. This will ensure that the monitor is maximizing its capability to display sharp images.
  2. GPU upscaling: If your graphics card offers upscaling options, you can enable it to enhance the visuals. The GPU will upscale the 1080p content, making it appear sharper on your 4K monitor.
  3. Monitor settings: Adjust the sharpness, contrast, and saturation settings on your monitor. Play around with these settings to find the optimal visual appearance that suits your preferences.
  4. Video player settings: Many video players offer options for upscaling or enhancing video quality. Explore the settings of your preferred video player and try enabling any available features that improve image quality.
  5. Software upscaling: Some third-party programs are specifically designed to upscale lower-resolution content for 4K displays. You can try installing such software to further enhance the visuals of 1080p content on your 4K monitor.
  6. Use high-quality sources: Whenever possible, opt for higher resolution content. Streaming services, Blu-ray discs, or downloads in 4K resolution will naturally provide better image quality and take full advantage of your 4K display.

Remember that while these tips can enhance the visual appearance of 1080p content, the final result may still not match the level of sharpness and detail that true 4K content offers.

How do I adjust the brightness and contrast settings to optimize 1080p on a 4K screen?

To optimize the 1080p resolution on a 4K screen, you may need to adjust the brightness and contrast settings. Here's how you can do it:

  1. Open the display settings: Right-click on your desktop and select "Display settings."
  2. Adjust the screen resolution: Scroll down to the "Resolution" or "Screen Resolution" section and select 1920x1080 (1080p) if it's not already set.
  3. Calibrate display settings: Scroll down to the "Display" or "Display adapter properties" section and click on it. In the new window, go to the "Color Management" tab.
  4. Adjust brightness: Click on the "Calibrate" button and follow the on-screen instructions to adjust the brightness level. Ensure that the brightness is set to a comfortable level without causing strain.
  5. Adjust contrast: Return to the "Color Management" tab and click on the "Advanced" button. Under the "Calibration" section, you will find the contrast slider. Gradually adjust it until the contrast is optimal for your preferences.
  6. Fine-tune settings: You can also experiment with other display settings like gamma, saturation, and color temperature to further enhance your viewing experience. However, these settings vary for different monitors and personal preferences.
  7. Save and apply changes: Once you are satisfied with the adjustments, click on "Apply" or "OK" to save the changes and exit the settings.

Note that optimizing 1080p content on a 4K screen may not fully utilize the screen's capabilities, as the native resolution of the monitor is higher. Consider using native 4K content or upscaling if you want the best picture quality.

How can I make 1080p videos appear sharper on a 4K monitor?

To make 1080p videos appear sharper on a 4K monitor, you can try the following methods:

  1. Increase display resolution: Set your monitor's display resolution to 4K (3840x2160 pixels) if it supports that resolution. This will upscale the 1080p video to fit the 4K screen, making it appear sharper.
  2. Adjust display settings: Fine-tune your monitor's sharpness, contrast, and brightness settings to enhance the clarity of the video. Experiment with different settings to find the optimal configuration that suits your preference.
  3. Enable video upscaling: Some 4K monitors have built-in upscaling technology that can enhance the display quality of lower-resolution videos. Look for options like "Video Processing" or "Upscaling" in your monitor's settings menu and enable them to improve the sharpness of 1080p videos.
  4. Software upscaling: If your monitor does not have built-in upscaling, you can use video playback software or media players that offer upscaling capabilities. Programs like VLC or MPC-HC allow you to adjust video scaling settings and apply algorithms to improve the visual quality.
  5. Video player settings: Many media players have post-processing options that can enhance video sharpness. In the video player's settings menu, look for options like "sharpening" or "enhancement" and apply them to enhance the appearance of the video.
  6. Use a dedicated 4K video upscaler: There are software programs available specifically for upscaling lower-resolution videos to 4K. These programs use advanced algorithms to increase the resolution and sharpness of videos. You can try applications like Topaz Video Enhance AI or DVDFab Enlarger AI for this purpose.

Remember, while these methods can improve the appearance of 1080p videos on a 4K monitor, the results may still not reach the same level of clarity as true 4K content.

What are the best video players or media software for making 1080p look better on a 4K monitor?

There are several video players and media software that can enhance the viewing experience of 1080p content on a 4K monitor. Here are some popular options:

  1. PotPlayer: This versatile media player offers various video processing filters and upscaling options to enhance the quality of lower resolution videos on a 4K display.
  2. MPC-HC (Media Player Classic Home Cinema): It provides advanced upscaling features and allows for customization through various video shaders, which can make 1080p videos look better on a 4K monitor.
  3. VLC Media Player: Known for its wide format support, VLC also offers upscaling options to enhance the visual quality of lower resolution videos on a high-resolution display.
  4. KMPlayer: This media player includes various video processing features, such as upscaling and noise reduction filters, that can improve the appearance of 1080p content on a 4K screen.
  5. PowerDVD: A commercial media player, PowerDVD provides advanced upscaling algorithms and color enhancements to deliver better visuals for lower resolution videos on a 4K monitor.

It's important to note that while these software options can improve the viewing experience, they cannot create true 4K resolution from 1080p content. The results may vary depending on the quality of the source material.