Ask someone to describe what it was like to watch something in standard definition; they will have a hard time explaining their experience. The most common answer will most likely be “I can’t believe we ever watched anything in SD.” That is because watching video in HD resolution has become a part of our daily lives. To make another comparison, think of the experience of watching a VHS or DVD and compare it to watching a Blu-Ray now. The difference is clear, no pun intended.
With the introduction of 4K resolution, HD has now started on the march to becoming the SD of this age. 4K videos have a higher resolution than ever before with four times more pixels than HD video. Anyone who has seen a 4K video understands what the big deal is. The detail, color, vibrancy and focus are beyond anything they’ve ever seen.
Where can you see 4K Video?
The entertainment industry is a natural early adopter to making the leap to 4K. The clear, colorful experience you have at the theater will now be available on your TV at home. All major manufactures have released 4K displays and content providers such as Netflix have announced they will begin streaming 4K content.
In order to display 4K content on your screen at home, there are changes that need to be made behind the scenes as well. The shift to 4K resolution is advancing cameras, smart phones and tablets, computer monitors and PC games – anything that displays images or records video is going to be enhanced by the rise of 4K resolution.
The latest Apple iPhone release, the iPhone 6s, will have 4K resolution camera and video capabilities. Soon, with the iSight camera and iMovie for iOS, you will be shooting high quality video from a cell phone.
4K’s Effect on B2B Video
Once 4K enabled devices become more prevalent, some industries will really benefit from being able to showcase this incredible level of detail. Visually centric industries like food and restaurants, automotive, and tourism just to name a few will reap the benefits of the increased resolution.
Better HD Videos
Filming in 4K provides higher quality raw footage that can be leveraged into smoother, crisper, more detailed HD resolution videos. Video footage shot in 4K provides several benefits in the production of a final video intended to be HD. By shooting in the higher resolution of 4K video allows for the cropping of shots in post-production that create a “zoomed in” effect without sacrificing image quality. The higher resolution source material allows for smoother panning and zooming, allowing for greater flexibility and creativity in the development of the final product.
Should All My Video Be in 4K?
The answer is both yes and no. 4K hardware and videos are the product of the future. YouTube started to support 4K video in 2010 and the number of 4K videos uploaded to YouTube tripled in 2014, proving that 4K is on the rise. The introduction of the iPhone 6s and its 4K resolution camera is a clear indicator that 4K video is not only a thing of the future, but that it is available right at our fingertips now. Our recommendation is to have all of your raw video shot in 4K in order to produce the highest quality and most-creative HD video possible to ensure the best possible end product.
Call Oswego Creative today to get a jump-start on your 4K video project.
By Laura Walsh