4K resolution delivers exceptional image sharpness and detail, and is rapidly setting the standard in the field of visual content.
We will explore what 4K resolution is, how it evolved, how it compares with other resolutions, its challenges and opportunities, and how HDR enhances 4K resolution.
What is 4K Resolution?
4K resolution, also known as 4K or 4K Ultra HD, is a display resolution that has approximately 4,000 pixels horizontally and approximately 2,000 pixels vertically, resulting in a total of about 8 million pixels.
This is four times the number of pixels of (1920 x 1080), which is the most common display resolution today. More pixels mean more detail, clarity, sharpness, and depth, which translate to a more realistic and immersive viewing experience.
However, 4K resolution is not a single, uniform standard. There are different variations of 4K resolution, depending on the context and industry. For example, in digital cinema, 4K resolution is defined by the Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) as 4096 x 2160, which has an aspect ratio of 1.9:1.
This is slightly wider than the 16:9 aspect ratio of most TVs and monitors, which use 3840 x 2160 as the 4K resolution which is also known as 4K UHD (Ultra High Definition), and is the most widely used 4K resolution for consumer media and devices.