As technology has continued to advance, video quality has improved significantly. High-resolution formats are the best way to capture stunning video footage. So, what is the difference between 4K HD video and why do video productions shoot in high resolution formats but only deliver them in lower resolutions?
To begin with, let’s define what 4K HD video is. 4K HD video refers to a resolution that is four times the number of pixels that are in full HD (1080p) video. This means that 4K HD video has a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. It produces a clearer, sharper, and more detailed picture than other resolutions.
There are a few reasons video productions shoot in high resolution formats like 4K HD. Firstly, shooting in high resolution allows video editors to zoom into the footage without the video appearing pixelated. This is often used in post-production, when adding special effects or when cropping the video to change the composition.
Secondly, high-resolution footage is better for future-proofing. During editing, if the videographers discovered that the footage they had wasn’t of the best quality, higher-resolution footage would be essential. It also helps to ensure that the footage will be relevant even as technology improves, as resolutions enhance in the future.
Although 4K HD video offers benefits in terms of production, videos are still distributed in a variety of lower resolutions. Why? The answer is simple. Most distribution mediums can’t support such high resolutions. This includes website streaming applications like YouTube or Vimeo, as well as traditional mediums like DVDs and Blu-ray discs. It is more convenient to use downsampled footage in order to create files with a smaller size.
Furthermore, using lower resolutions video productions prevent extremely large file sizes and heavy graphics use, which require more storage space or faster load times. This can be inconvenient for audiences with limited bandwidth or data usage culture.
In the end, shooting in high resolution formats like 4K HD has its advantages in post-production and future-proofing of footage. However, video productions still mostly distribute their content in lower resolutions due to supportability and accessibility. As with any technological advances, compromises like these have to be made regularly in order to make these pieces available to people’s homes or offices.