What is 4K?
4K, or ultra HD, is today's highest high-definition (HD) display standard. It offers a resolution of 3,840 × 2,160 pixels—which is 4 times that of 1080p videos. The digital camera 4k resolution standard in the video production space is 4,096 x 2,160 pixels.
This indicates that 4K is much sharper and more detailed than 1080p. 4K resolution ensures highly realistic and non-pixelated images on even large-size screens and televisions. Images that are converted to Full-HD from 4k tend to have better picture quality and higher resolution when compared to images recorded directly in full HD.
4K Features
- A 4K display has 4 times the pixels on a 1080p display (1920x1080 pixels).
- 4K resolution has over 8 million pixels.
- It has a resolution that is more than 23 times the resolution of an SD TV.
- For TV screens, the standard 4K resolution is 3,840 by 2,160.
- Digital camera 4K (such as in film and video production or 4K movie theaters) is 4,096 by 2,160.
Pros of 4K
- 4k is the newest visual technology that offers unparalleled image quality.
- The likes of Samsung, Sony, LG, and Panasonic offer 4k resolutions. While there aren't 4k TV channels currently, 4k TVs can make HDTV and Blu-ray videos appear near 4k resolution.
- It offers visual quality at par with 3D, but viewers don't require 3D glasses to watch movies and TV.
Cons of 4K
- 4k is far more expensive than other resolutions—especially since it is relatively new.
- Broadcasters avoid it because 4k is incompatible with all devices and costs 5x more than an HD channel.
4K vs. Ultra HD
4K is often used synonymously with "ultra HD." However, ultra HD also represents resolutions beyond 4K. It has a minimum resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels but can go as high as 8K. UHD falls slightly short of a "true" 4K resolution.