What is 8K?
8K is a digital display resolution that measures 7680 x 4320 pixels, which is a whopping 33 million pixels. It's 4x the resolution of 4K and displays significantly more detailed images. You’ll often find 8K in much larger screens, like high-end TVs and digital OOH display ads, since 4K may start to show pixelation in these larger formats.
Read More: Full Guide on Video Resolution & How to Choose the Right Size
Key 8K concepts you need to know:
- Limited adoption: While some platforms like YouTube and Vimeo offer 8K videos, most streaming and broadcast services haven’t jumped on the 8K bandwagon yet. So even if you have a display that supports 8K, content has to be typically upscaled from 4K or lower resolutions to fit 8K screens.
- High-speed internet and more storage: Streaming in 8K means you need at least internet speeds of 50-100 Mbps or more. Plus, 8K video files are huge and need more storage space and powerful hardware to support playback and editing.
- Best for larger screens: If you have a screen that’s smaller than 65 inches, don’t bother with 8K since you won’t be able to see the difference between 4K and 8K resolution on it
- More expensive and power-intensive: 8K displays are much more expensive than 4K and consume more power because of the high processing required to display images in this resolution. However, as 8K adoption increases, it will likely become more affordable.
Does 8K mean 8000?
Almost. 8K has approximately 8000 pixels (7680 pixels to be exact).
Is there a 16K resolution?
Yes, 16K resolution exists and measures 15360 x 8640 pixels. However it’s currently experimental and not widely available for typical consumers.
Is 8K worth the extra money?
Since there’s only limited content available and the sharp details are only noticeable on screens larger than 65 inches, 8K may not be worth the extra money for most consumers.
Is 8K better than 4K?
Yes, but only in theory. 8K offers better resolution and detail compared to 4K, but the improvement is only noticeable on screens larger than 65 inches.
Is 8K even noticeable?
On a smaller screen, you may not even see a difference between 4K and 8K. On a larger screen, like that of a cinema, you can see how 8K makes for a much more detailed r viewing experience.
Can people see 8K?
While the human eye can see 8K, the difference between 4K and 8K might go unnoticed on smaller screens.