4K vs 1080p resolution demo with thoughts on viewing distance and compression

My Website:

Steve Yedlins Resolution Demo Part 2:

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
01:54 - Blind Test 4k vs. 2k
04:50 - Upscale Algorithm Comparison
06:21 - Viewing Distance
07:08 - Compression Comparison
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Vimeo Version:

[veeclash]

I must be blind because I can't tell the difference unless you zoom in!

[lcadigitalmedia]

there is a very sutble difference, I can tell 4k over 2k but only when I'm really looking to spot the difference like on the iris; otherwise, 99% similar because 2160p is double the 1080p

[jordanmillraney]

Whenever a source was mastered in 2K to start with, upscaling is required to bump it up to 4K to be sent out for a 4K UHD physical release. Although it won’t be as highly detailed with more depth like a true 4K picture would, the uptick in detail can be a hit or miss. There can be ones where they’re a subtle but noticeable upgrade and others that are sharper than their 2K/Blu-ray counterparts. The HDR/Dolby Vision palette can squeeze every ounce of color out of the image as possible and can look fantastic if done right.

[ChadTerpstraOG]

Very thoughtful presentation. I think this says a lot about compression on YouTube. A couple of other reactions, I would recommend you include some example images that are not close-ups or medium shots of actors. I've always found lower resolutions are more forgiving on human faces than on wide shots with a lot of details like city streets, etc. I'll also add that when viewing 4K in a theatrical environment with the right projector and screen, there is a perceivable enhancement in a well-produced 4K image with fine detail over 2K/1080p.

[p.a.dconstructionltd]

I got the eos-m with magic lantern shooting 1080 / 2k raw and you have confirmed my suspicion. Great breakdown.

[RisingfromTheashes-jwjy]

The 2k upscaled to 4k(media player classic) looked the best

[PepperoniRonin.]

me watching a 2k vs 4k comparison video on 720p thinking ill be able to tell the difference...

[Chejov]

best video explanation about 2k vs 4k , file compression and viewing distances!! Stefan you are really great! thanks for the effort and time you put on this. My doubts were if I should invest in a 27 inch 4k monitor since I already have a 27 inch 1440p one.. Im always sitting around 60-72 cm away ( my desk is not too wide 77 cm). and in my 27 - 1440p I can't see any pixels pictures look sharp and clear ..

[JimRobinson-colors]

Nicely done, would like to see the comparison with film grain as well. My guess would be that it would be even harder to distinguish the differences. But given the youTube codecs, I think we still need to master to the 4k version for streaming - as I mentioned on FB, I wonder if running the 2k through Resolves Superscal would help as well? Nice job Stephen.

[leechurchill]

i used to bum over 4k but ive made the switch to 2k 300hz and ill never go back now.

[michaelthomas]

so here's my question: from what i've heard higher bit rates are helpful for live action. would 4k factor into that? obviously if the bit rate overflows your download bit rate, that's a problem but would it be noticeable if it didn't? things like American football, for example i've heard are used as examples. also: don't the codecs matter insofar as it they may code for 4k, but the quality is lowered to lessen the output bit rate? sort of like the quality setting for a jpeg. doesn't do much good if you have 4k but the codec has been dialed down to a much less quality.

thx though. this was my suspicion overall.

[joecal]

Brilliant! Excellent analysis, and matches the observations of anyone with functional eyes and a brain. When will people learn that what they want is better bitrate/compression rather than resolution, and that yearly increases in camera resolution just make the problem worse, not better. Give me a pristine 1080p image over a low-bitrate 12K image any day of the week. Morons.

[farisakhtar]

2k is marketed as 1440p, which is what i thought this video was comparing 4k to. There is a very obvious difference between 1080p and 4k, there is a notable difference between 1080p and 1440p even.

[yeren]

Красавчик. Есть конечно чуток акцента русского, но в целом классно говоришь на англисском

[razvanv]

I am planning to buy a 27" monitor. for browsing and programming. Should I buy 4k or 2k? Thanks!

[brown]

Great comparison, but one thing to consider is that you are using tight detailed shots. I imagine the difference would maybe be much more apparent with wider or more landscape shots.

[SageX]

So basically for viewing purposes, consumer use, 4K is kinda overkill, kinda useless, a waste of resources, like soon to be 8K. For production use, totally usefull.

[cloudstrife]

4k is a waste now for gaming not productivity sweetspot now is 2k 1440p with all games running at ultra high fps high refresh rate etc

[ChummyBoy]

Why are you comparing to 2k the whole time when title is 1080p? 2k vs 4k is a different debate

[pedrogurgel]

for photo editing ok, but no one its gonna watch 200x zoom