4K resolution, or ultra high-definition (UHD), is a high-quality display option with incredible pixel density. The pixel dimensions of 4K resolution are 3840x2160, resulting in thousands of pixels per square inch. As a result, it produces a sharp image and great contrast, filling in the finest details of every frame.
In this guide, we’ll explain the difference between 4K and other high-definition resolutions, and detail the specifications required to play, render, and enjoy your 4K videos.
What’s 4K resolution?
4K resolution is 2160p, meaning a 4K television or monitor has 3,840 pixels in every row and 2,160 pixels in every column. These dimensions result in an image with over eight million pixels — four times more than full HD resolution (1080p). So, with its higher pixel density, 4K resolution renders a significantly sharper image than 1080p.
As 4K TVs and monitors become more common, your viewers will want to see your content in UHD to take full advantage of their display resolution.
Features and benefits of 4K resolution for video content creators
Good 4K cameras are expensive, and editing a 4K video requires high-powered hardware. But if you and your viewers meet the requirements, you’ll enjoy several benefits.
Sharper picture quality
A display with more pixel density renders images with significantly better clarity. Because each pixel comprises smaller segments of the overall picture, edges are sharper and color gradients are smoother.
Bigger screen sizes
The larger your display size, the larger each pixel is to fill that space. A 4K TV has over eight million pixels — more than enough to spread over a 75” screen without degrading image quality. Meanwhile, a 1080p display would fill that space with only two million pixels.
Editing flexibility
If you need to crop your videos to fit different aspect ratios, start with a high-resolution video. That way, your cropped video still has enough pixels to appear crisp on any device, especially when upscaling for 4K resolution displays.
Upload your videos →
What are the requirements for creating content in 4K resolution?
To create content in 4K, you must capture and display it at native 4K resolution. Then, you need hardware capable of processing UHD files quickly. Here are the devices you’ll need to capture, display, and edit a video at 4K resolution.
4K camera
To capture content that’s genuinely 4K and not just upscaled from a lower resolution, you need to record 4K videos at 2160p. Good 4K cameras have a capture resolution of 3840x2160 and at least a 24 fps frame rate. If you’re capturing film footage, you’ll need a resolution of 4096x2160.
4K monitor
In order to edit 4K videos correctly, your monitor should accurately display them so you can see what the finished video will look like. Try to find monitors with UHD resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio, and DisplayPort inputs. If possible, choose one with an OLED display that provides better contrast and color depth at 4K screen resolution.
High-end PC
Editing a 4K video is no easy feat, since each frame contains over eight million pixels. That’s a lot to render, so building a customizable, high-end PC can help with your workload:
- Graphics card: Your PC’s graphics card does a lot of the heavy lifting while editing at 4K resolution, so invest in a high-end card like Nvidia's 40 series or AMD Radeon 6600+.
- SSD: An SSD hard drive reads and writes data significantly faster than an HDD, thanks to its reliance on memory chips instead of mechanical disks.
- RAM: You need at least 32 GB of RAM for 4K video editing since the high-resolution files in your temporary memory will be huge.
- Fast processor: Get at least an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 to handle the multitasking required to edit 4K videos. A fast processor will also speed up your PC’s boot time.
Internet speed
For 4K streaming, you’ll need at least 25 Mbps bandwidth to maintain UHD resolution, but ideally, you’ll want to be closer to 50 Mbps. With higher bandwidth, speed fluctuations won’t cause any interruptions, and you’ll upload 4K videos faster. If you’re having trouble reaching that, contact your Internet Service Provider to discuss upgrading your service.
Development and the future of 4K resolution
Dalsa Origin developed the first 4K camera in 2003, and Hollywood quickly adopted the technology. Blockbuster movies like District 9 and Iron Man were released in 4K as early as 2008, but it wasn’t until 2011 that 4K projectors became the norm in theaters.
Nowadays, 4K cameras and displays are increasingly common. Smartphones like the iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S9 shoot 4K video. 4K TVs and monitors have become more affordable and range from 24 to 85 inches diagonally. And Blu-ray players have also caught up, with several different brand options for 4K Blu-ray on the market today.
While 8K resolution is already in use in some Hollywood cameras, it’s unlikely to replace 4K anytime soon. Not only will it further inflate the specs and storage space needed to watch videos, but going from 4K to 8K offers diminishing returns due to the built-in limitations of human physiology: There are only so many details our eyes can register at once.
See your videos in glorious 4K on Vimeo →
Frequently asked questions
How noticeable is going from 2K to 4K?
The difference between 2K and 4K is quite noticeable on larger displays. 2K is 2560x1440 while 4K is 3840x2160, resulting in a much higher pixel density. For example, on a 35” screen, a 2K display uses about 7,000 pixels per square inch, while a 4K display uses almost 16,000.
Which devices play at 4K resolution?
Any 4K TV or monitor labeled “4K UHD” should render a 4K video, but you’ll also need a device to play it. An Ultra HD Blu-ray player is necessary to play 4K DVDs, or you can use 4K streaming if your internet connection is up to it. As of 2025, there’s at least one smartphone with a 4K display: The Sony Xperia.
What’s 4K upscaling?
When a 4K TV plays a video with a lower resolution, it uses upscaling to make it fit the higher pixel count. Upscaling refers to interpolating new pixels based on the original image, sometimes resulting in blurry patches.
What's the difference between full HD and 4K resolution?
Full HD is still high resolution, but only at 1080p (1920x1080). 4K resolution is Ultra HD, with a screen resolution of 2160p (3840x2160). The higher resolution of 4K results in better clarity, using four times more pixels to render an image than full HD resolution.
What is the best video player for high-quality video?
For streaming and online video content, sites like Vimeo offer fantastic high-quality playback thanks to their professional encoding and adaptive streaming, making sure you get a clear viewing experience right in your browser.
When it comes to top-notch video playback for local files, VLC Media Player and PotPlayer are often seen as great options because of their wide codec support, customization features, and capability to use hardware acceleration.
What are the best 4K streaming services?
If you're a consumer looking for a huge selection of 4K movies and shows, Netflix (with its Premium plan), Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video are usually seen as the best options because they offer a massive range of Ultra HD and HDR content.
Vimeo Streaming gives creators and businesses the tools to stream live events, host webinars, or set up their own subscription video channel or apps similar to Netflix, all while allowing for personalized branding and monetization features. It's tailored for professionals who aim to host, manage, and share top-notch video content with a large audience.
What resolution does Netflix use?
Like most big-budget television studios, Netflix shoots its movies in 4K resolution to appear sharper on 4K TVs. However, their standard plans only allow you to play movies and shows in full HD (1080p). You'll have to upgrade to their premium plan to play at a higher display resolution.
Edit and host 4K resolution videos seamlessly with Vimeo
Editing and playing 4K videos requires the proper hardware and internet connection, but there are ways to make the process easier for you and your viewers. Vimeo’s browser-based video editor supports up to 8K video editing, and since we handle processing over the cloud, much less computing power is required to render all those pixels.
Vimeo also hosts videos up to 8K video resolution! By uploading your video to Vimeo, viewers can take advantage of our global content delivery network, which is optimized for streaming in 4K video and above.
Try Vimeo for free to test it out yourself.
