4K. Snake oil?
Discussion
Of course it's not snake oil really. It is very good but is its worth overstated?
I've found my video work has been ramping up over the past two years and an odd dynamic has emerged. Those that specify 4K as the preferred format require content that will only ever be seen on a social media or other online platform which to me seems to be overkill. Whereas the tech specs I get for stuff that will broadcast states 1080p.
Would be interested in the views of others on this.
I've found my video work has been ramping up over the past two years and an odd dynamic has emerged. Those that specify 4K as the preferred format require content that will only ever be seen on a social media or other online platform which to me seems to be overkill. Whereas the tech specs I get for stuff that will broadcast states 1080p.
Would be interested in the views of others on this.
It’s more horses for courses.
We do pretty much all our studio work in 1080p because it’s only likely to get viewed on smaller format screens and frankly even viewing on a 27” iMac we are hard pushed to notice any difference.
The real benefit to us is being able to record in 4K from the back of the studio and crop the image for closeup material where we are unable to get close to the subject (bands usually) on the stage - this helps a lot for straight on rather than angled shots.
We also live stream a lot of material via black magic studio and Terradek kit so it’s not going out at anything higher rez than 1080.
Finally, editing. We’ve noticed a big difference in the time it takes to edit 4K compared to 1080. Of course we could join the hardware arms race but as previously noted above it’s not worth the effort.
We do pretty much all our studio work in 1080p because it’s only likely to get viewed on smaller format screens and frankly even viewing on a 27” iMac we are hard pushed to notice any difference.
The real benefit to us is being able to record in 4K from the back of the studio and crop the image for closeup material where we are unable to get close to the subject (bands usually) on the stage - this helps a lot for straight on rather than angled shots.
We also live stream a lot of material via black magic studio and Terradek kit so it’s not going out at anything higher rez than 1080.
Finally, editing. We’ve noticed a big difference in the time it takes to edit 4K compared to 1080. Of course we could join the hardware arms race but as previously noted above it’s not worth the effort.
StevieBee said:
I've found my video work has been ramping up over the past two years and an odd dynamic has emerged. Those that specify 4K as the preferred format require content that will only ever be seen on a social media or other online platform which to me seems to be overkill. Whereas the tech specs I get for stuff that will broadcast states 1080p.
Would be interested in the views of others on this.
It's because clients who don't know/understand the technicalities just want the latest best thing they've seen on the Gadget Show. In your position you can say that HD is perfectly good but you can supply 4K for only £ extra. Because it's better kwality innit!Would be interested in the views of others on this.
Bear in mind 4K footage takes up much more space and needs faster computers to work with it.
Simpo Two said:
It's because clients who don't know/understand the technicalities just want the latest best thing they've seen on the Gadget Show. In your position you can say that HD is perfectly good but you can supply 4K for only £ extra. Because it's better kwality innit!
You're not wrong Simpo!I'd argue that the push for 4k content will really come from online and mobile use, more than TV -
While TVs are large, they are the other side of the room, so comparatively small to the eye. Phones and laptops, are held up right in front of your face, and and often much larger comparatively to you, than that big TV the other side of the room. - So extra resolution is much more noticeable. I cant tell the difference with 4k material on my TV - but I really can on my laptop.
I work as a shooting director / DOP - most of what I work on still ends up as HD. But I do find 4k makes for nicer HD. I tire a little of the "its just going on social media" line - why the "just"? - it'll could have bigger audience on there than TV, let's make it as good as it can be, as people will be more likely to share it if its good. Also, with the silly varieties in aspect ratio formats on different social media platforms, 4k can be useful for cropping and reframing to suit the different aspect ratios.
What I find more impressive is HDR video. More dynamic range makes things way more realistic feeling than just endless quests for resolution
While TVs are large, they are the other side of the room, so comparatively small to the eye. Phones and laptops, are held up right in front of your face, and and often much larger comparatively to you, than that big TV the other side of the room. - So extra resolution is much more noticeable. I cant tell the difference with 4k material on my TV - but I really can on my laptop.
I work as a shooting director / DOP - most of what I work on still ends up as HD. But I do find 4k makes for nicer HD. I tire a little of the "its just going on social media" line - why the "just"? - it'll could have bigger audience on there than TV, let's make it as good as it can be, as people will be more likely to share it if its good. Also, with the silly varieties in aspect ratio formats on different social media platforms, 4k can be useful for cropping and reframing to suit the different aspect ratios.
What I find more impressive is HDR video. More dynamic range makes things way more realistic feeling than just endless quests for resolution
We shoot a lot in 4K but like everyone, the implementation is usually online.
For us the advantages are:
1). Free second angle for talking head pieces by just cropping a bit
2). The ability to add camera moves in post
3). Extra resolution for 1:1 cropped edits when they inevitably decide they want to use it on facebook.
Apart from that I’d agree with you.
For us the advantages are:
1). Free second angle for talking head pieces by just cropping a bit
2). The ability to add camera moves in post
3). Extra resolution for 1:1 cropped edits when they inevitably decide they want to use it on facebook.
Apart from that I’d agree with you.
A bit late to the party on this one, as others have said - it's mostly clients wanting the latest buzz word in video.
I film everything in 4K as I sell off excess footage to stock sites - but 99% of clients won't notice the difference.
I do however export everything for YouTube/Vimeo/Facebook in 4k even if it was shot in 1080p as there tends to be less compression. Once YouTube has compressed the footage you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between 1080p upscaled to 4k and original 4k footage.
I film everything in 4K as I sell off excess footage to stock sites - but 99% of clients won't notice the difference.
I do however export everything for YouTube/Vimeo/Facebook in 4k even if it was shot in 1080p as there tends to be less compression. Once YouTube has compressed the footage you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between 1080p upscaled to 4k and original 4k footage.
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