In the following article, we will talk about video resolution, one of the topics covered in the DSLR video workshop, and that is essential to know perfectly in order to carry out our work correctly. We will look at the usual resolutions, their differences, and some important tips.
Video Resolution: All the Details
SD Video Resolution
The SD video resolution, standard quality, is what we have been using until a few years ago. It consisted of 720 x 576 in the PAL system (Europe); when we talk about those numbers, we refer to the number of vertical lines by horizontal lines that make up the image we see on a screen. It is the traditional one that until a few years ago we used to watch cable television (until the birth of DTT – Digital Terrestrial Television) or DVDs.
Currently, it is outdated, and we only find it on DVD discs or video tapes we have from before (VHS – 8mm – Mini DV – etc.). In today's televisions, which are normally natively HD, what happens when we view these images is that they are scaled to more lines, which is why they appear pixelated and less sharp.
HD Video Resolution
Currently, it is the video resolution transmitted by DTT (digital terrestrial television). We can also find it on Blu Ray that we commercially buy to watch movies. It is also possible to see this quality on digital video platforms like YouTube or Vimeo, but with how quickly technology advances, it is unlikely that new videos uploaded will be in HD.
The HD video resolution is 1280 x 720, which is considerably higher than SD, resulting in a noticeable difference when viewing images.
FULL HD Video Resolution
Perhaps the most standard video resolution of the moment: 1920 x 1080. Most cameras already record in this resolution, so we can say that it is very common to encounter this resolution in the videos we deliver, see on digital platforms, and find when buying a television. It is important to keep in mind that the only way to deliver work in this quality is through Blu Ray if it is on discs or USB drive as a file. There will never be a standard video DVD that can have this quality.
Ultra HD 4K Video Resolution
This video resolution of 3840 x 2160 television format is the new technology currently emerging in televisions, video cameras, and digital platforms. With a notable difference to FULL HD, it will gradually become standardized within video.
4K Video Resolution
Video resolution 4096 x 2160 cinema format is the largest of the new 4K technology. Without a doubt, it is a number of lines that create very realistic images when viewed on a screen. Although it is not yet broadcast on television, nor is it standard, it won't take long to be used daily in all the videos we watch. One thing to keep in mind is that to work with this type of quality, not only a camera that records at this resolution is necessary but also a computer with good processing capacity due to the resources required.
What is the recommended video resolution for work?
There really isn't a resolution that can be defined as recommended; it will always depend on the client, budget, and the purpose of the video. We say this because sometimes the client does not need high quality because the material will be delivered on DVD; in this sense, shooting in 4K and consuming resources wouldn’t make much sense. On the other hand, the budget also matters; recording in FULL HD or 4K differs greatly, given that the capacity of memory cards and hard drives can vary significantly between one resolution and another.
If we have resources, time, and a good budget, it is always advisable to use the best quality. It should be noted that if we record images in 4K but deliver them in full HD, which is considerably smaller, it will give us plenty of cropping margin to adjust our images as we like. As we say, always consider these factors when choosing the quality in which we will record our work.