Everything About 4K Video Format That Any Marketer Should Know

4K video technology is becoming more and more popular these days. As an online marketer, what do you know about 4K video format?

Recording crystal-clear 4K content is more crucial than ever for engaging and retaining listeners. In this post, we'll explain what a 4K video is and why it's significant.

4K formats explained

What is a 4K Video Format?

Technically, the term “4K” refers to a horizontal resolution of approximately 4,000 pixels. The K character here stands for "kilo"(thousand). 

For the digital cinema market, 4K video format means the resolution 4096 x 2160p (also known as “cinema” 4K resolution or 4K DCI.) 

However, most 4K displays these days found on televisions, tablets, smartphones, and computer monitors are 3840 x 2160p, equal to 8,294,400 pixels overall.

4K video file format explained 

This number is exactly 4 times the pixel count of the Full HD (high definition) resolution (1920 x 1080p, or 2,073,600 pixels overall). 

That is one of the most significant differences between 4K video vs 1080p resolution.

4K vs. UHD Resolution

Although most people use the term interchangeably, 4K is actually different from Ultra High Definition (also known as UHD or Ultra HD).

To name videos 4K, filmmakers had to record and display them with a resolution of 4096 x 2160, which we now refer to as cinema 4K. When you see a movie in the theater, you see it in cinema 4K. 

4K vs. UHD resolution

In contrast, UHD is a display standard for consumers. It's the resolution found on many TVs and laptops, and it's somewhat lower than cinema 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels). 

In other words, UHD is the same height as Cinema 4K but somewhat narrower. 

What is the File Format for 4K Video?

Check out a list of the most common 4K video formats below: 

MP4

MP4 video file format

MP4 is the best 4K video format that uses codecs such as MPEG-4, HEVC, H.264, VP9, etc. According to the extensive compatibility of H.264/AVCHD, HEVC/H.265, and MPEG-4, most 4K videos are in MP4 format. 

As a result, whether you want to save 4K videos on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device, view 4K videos on your Mac with VLC or other QuickTime 4K UHD video players, or stream 4K to 4K UHD TVs, converting 4K to MP4 with a 4K converter for TV is a reliable option.

MKV

MKV video format

MKV (Matroska Multimedia Container) is another 4K video format that uses HEVC/H.265 or VP9 codecs. 

It is conceptually comparable to other containers such as AVI, MP4, and ASF but is completely open. MKV allows for an infinite amount of video, audio, image, or subtitle tracks in a single file. 

MTS/M2TS

It is the filename extension for the BDAV MPEG-2 Transport Stream (M2TS) container file format. MTS/M2TS is a protocol for multiplexing audio, video, and other streams. 

MTS/M2TS video format

This container format is often used to store high-definition video on Blu-ray Disc and AVCHD. Canon, Sony, and Panasonic are the leading manufacturers of 4K cameras and camcorders with MTS/M2TS resolution. 

AVCHD

AVCHD is a video file format for digital camcorders developed by Sony and Panasonic. It is widely used for data compressed with the H.264 codec. 

This 4K video format supports both regular and high definition, as well as 3D. Furthermore, Sony, Panasonic, Canon, and JVC have all manufactured high-end HD camcorders capable of recording 4K UHD video files in AVCHD format.

AVCHD video format

In addition to these 4K video file formats, there are some more types of video formats that 4K videos support:

• MXF

• AV1

• HEVC

• VVC

• XAVC

► More to explore: Common audio file formats

Pros and Cons of 4K Video Resolution

Almost everything has pros and cons, and the 4k video resolution is no exception. The following are some basic advantages and disadvantages of 4k video quality that you should know.

Pros

• Better image quality: The most advanced feature of 4K video technology is the ability to produce detailed and high-quality results.

• Greater color depth: 4K does not only refer to resolution. It’s also related to color replication (increased from 8-bit to even 12-bit) and frame rate speed (increased from 25 to 60 fps.)

Why opt for 4K video resolution?

• More options: When having 4K resolution, you can either adapt it to lower resolutions like Full HD or maintain the size of the original video.

• Stabilization in editing: No matter what editing program is used, 4K allows you to stabilize the video and make it look cleaner without sacrificing much of the visual quality.

Cons

• Large file sizes: 4K videos generate significantly larger files, requiring more storage space and longer upload times. This can be a challenge for devices with limited storage capacity and slower internet speeds.

• High processing power: Editing and playing 4K content demands a powerful computer or device. Without sufficient processing power, users may experience lag or stutter during playback or editing.

Drawbacks of 4K videos

• Limited compatibility: Not all devices and platforms support 4K resolution, which can limit where and how videos can be viewed. Older screens and projectors may automatically downgrade the resolution, negating the benefits of 4K.

• Increased bandwidth usage: Streaming or downloading 4K content consumes a substantial amount of bandwidth. This can be problematic for users with data caps or slower internet connections, leading to buffering and potential overage charges.

How to Convert 4K Video Format to 1080p/720p HD/SD Video?

Many 4K video format converter software and tools can help you convert 4K video format to 1080p/720p HD/SD video. But in this post, we’ll introduce a free tool–Vidconverteronline. Just follow the 6 easy steps below.

This straightforward process allows you to downgrade 4K videos to lower resolutions, making them easier to store, share, or play on devices with lower display capabilities.

• Step 1: Visit the Website

Go to Vidconverter at https://vidconverteronline.com/video-converter in your web browser.

Visit vidconverteronline

• Step 2: Upload Your 4K Video

Click on the “Choose File” button to upload your 4K video file. You can also drag and drop the file directly onto the upload area.

• Step 3: Select Output Format

From the list of available output formats, choose the desired resolution (e.g., 1080p or 720p). Ensure that the format you select supports HD or SD quality.

• Step 4: Adjust Video Settings (Optional)

Depending on the tool’s capabilities, adjust any additional settings, such as bitrate or frame rate, to further customize the output quality.

• Step 5: Start Conversion

Click the “Convert” or “Start Conversion” button to begin processing. The platform will process the video and convert it to the selected resolution.

• Step 6: Download the Converted Video

Once the conversion is complete, download the output file by clicking on the provided download link or button.