8K resolution
8K resolution is a video resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels, also called 8K UHD, with four times the pixels of 4K and sixteen times the pixels of 1080p. It offers extreme detail, mainly visible on very large screens viewed up close. Today 8K is used more in production, for cropping and reframing, than for everyday streaming.
Why it matters
For most businesses, 8K matters in production rather than delivery. Shooting in 8K gives editors room to crop and stabilize while still delivering sharp 4K. Streaming 8K is rarely worth it today, since few viewers have 8K screens and the files are very large.
How it works
- Cameras record at 7680 x 4320 pixels, capturing about 33 million pixels per frame.
- Editors crop, reframe or stabilize the footage while keeping enough detail.
- The finished video is usually exported at 4K or 1080p for streaming.
Is 8K worth it?
For most viewers, 8K is not worth it yet. The extra detail is only visible on very large screens viewed up close, and little content is made for it. For production teams, shooting in 8K can be worth it because it allows cropping and reframing while still delivering sharp 4K.
How much bandwidth does 8K streaming need?
8K streaming needs a much faster, steadier connection than 4K, even with efficient codecs such as AV1 or HEVC. Uploads need much more: YouTube recommends 80 to 160 Mbps for 8K at standard frame rates. This high cost is a main reason few services stream 8K.
Where it's used
Film studios and premium OTT productions shoot in 8K so editors can reframe shots and still deliver sharp 4K. Japan's NHK runs an 8K satellite channel for 8K TV owners.
By the numbers
- ITU-R BT.2020 defines 7680 x 4320 as its 8K UHDTV resolution, with progressive frame rates up to 120 fps. (Rec. 2020 (Wikipedia))
- NHK BS8K, described as the world's first 8K television channel, launched in Japan on 1 December 2018. (NHK BS8K (Wikipedia))
- YouTube recommends 80 to 160 Mbps for 8K SDR uploads at standard frame rates. (YouTube recommended upload encoding settings)
