With 4K content hitting the mainstream and 8K on the horizon, how long before 16K video becomes the norm? Our latest article explores this next step forward in pixel resolution
With most of us only just experiencing the benefits of 4K resolution, 16K seems a long way off – but it is closer than you might think. In fact, it is already here in one form or another, albeit highly specialist and often expensive.
So what is 16K resolution? How does 16K work? And what are the benefits for both videographers and viewers? Our latest article provides an in-depth exploration of 16K display and recording technology.
What is 16K resolution?
16K resolution most commonly refers to a digital video or image that measures 15360 x 8640 pixels. The term could also be used to describe a display or recording device that can produce images at the same resolution.
As with previous resolutions such as 4K and 8K, the name 16K refers to the number of pixels found across the longest dimension of the image, which totals approximately 16,000.
While 15360 x 8640 are the most commonly quoted dimensions – and 16:9 the most common aspect ratio – there may be variations according to the application of the footage. One example is the difference between UHD and DCI formats, as covered in our article on 8K resolution.
Comparison table
| 4K UHD | 8K UHD | 16K UHD | |
| Dimensions | 3840 x 2160 | 7680 x 4320 | 15360 x 8640 |
| Total pixels | 8.3MP | 33.2MP | 132.7MP |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 |
How does 16K work?
16K refers to the pixel resolution of a video or image, which is the number of pixels found in any one frame. It’s important to be specific here because resolution can be measured in different ways, as outlined in our article on image resolution below.
Learn more: What is image resolution? Everything you need to know
In short, a single pixel can only represent a single value, so an image containing more pixels has the potential to hold more detail.
However, remember that detail does not necessarily translate into quality. Image quality can be affected by a wide range of different variables, such as the amount of light present at the time of capture, the capture settings, and the specification of the recording and display equipment used.
One example regarding displays that is specifically relevant to 16K footage is that as more pixels are squeezed into a frame, they inevitably become smaller and therefore emit less light.
This can result in an overall picture that appears dull, so super-high-resolution displays need to compensate by increasing overall brightness.
Are 16K displays available?
At the time of writing, 16K display technology is still in its infancy. This means that, while it is technically available, it is currently prohibitively expensive for everyday domestic buyers.
Sony’s 63ft x 17ft 16K screen, for example, is estimated to be worth up to $5m.
However, there are signs that this technology will eventually make it into our living rooms. Sony has made no secret of the fact that it plans to make 16K-capable technology available for consumers.
Furthermore, in 2019, the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) formally released the DisplayPort 2.0 standard, which supports 16K video.
Where can you watch 16K video?
While the above paints a positive picture that the magic of 16K display technology will be in our homes sooner than we might think, the wait will be less about the technology and more about the availability of content.
Streaming 16K video
Considering 4K resolution is only just becoming widely accessible on many of the popular streaming services, and 8K is still limited to a handful of demo videos on YouTube and Vimeo, 16K streamed content is barely a spot in the distance.
The biggest barrier is internet connection speeds. The estimated 20-50Mbps internet speed required to stream 8K is still not achieved everywhere in the world, so the widespread availability of bandwidth that can deliver 16K – which contains four times as many pixels and so considerably more data – is likely to be a long way off.
Downloading 16K video
It is already possible to download 16K footage, so this is certainly an option for the future. The drawback here, however, is storage.
While there are many factors that affect file size, resolution plays a large part, so the vast amount of information included in 16K footage demands storage solutions to match.
The cost of additional hard drive space that is able to support stable playback could make this option more expensive than it is worth.
Is 16K Blu-ray available?
No, 16K Blu-ray discs and players are not available and there are currently no known plans to bring this level of resolution to the format. In fact, 4K is still the highest quality possible through a Blu-ray player and 8K isn’t even on the cards.
The dwindling demand for physical media in favor of downloaded or streamed content means the chances of seeing it are slim. However, considering the bandwidth and storage issues caused by such large file sizes, 16K Blu-ray media should not be ruled out completely.
16K at the movies
When you consider that most viewers would find it very difficult to tell the difference between 4K and 16K from a comfortable viewing distance on an average TV (more on this below), it is unsurprising that there is no rush to bring the technology to the general consumer.
With this in mind, we would expect 16K to be an experience that is at least initially reserved for movie theaters and commercial settings with the space to house bigger screens and the technology to store large video files locally.
How do you record 16K video?
While 16K cameras are not yet available, image sensor and processor technology is progressing at an impressive pace.
It is already possible to buy a 12K camera, and with the recent release of the first-ever 8K HDR footage recorded on a smartphone (see below video), we would expect 16K cameras to arrive in the not-too-distant future.
Until then, the only way to record in this resolution is by using more than one camera at the same time and combining the footage in post-production.
For example, the downloadable 16K video mentioned previously in this article (which you can view below) was created using still images from two Canon EOS 5DS 50MP cameras fixed to a custom-built mount. These two sets of images were then stitched together in post-production and turned into a time-lapse.
Is 16K worth it?
The answer to this question depends on who you ask – a viewer or a creator. Below we take a look from both points of view.
16K for viewers
From a viewer’s perspective, there are a number of different factors that will affect whether or not 16K is worth it. These include the size of the screen, how far away it is, and the visual acuity of the person watching.
As covered in our previous article about 8K, the resolution of the human eye has been calculated to be 576MP. This is more than capable of processing the 132.7MP that make up 16K resolution.
However, squeezing that many pixels into an average-sized TV screen or a computer monitor would mean reducing each individual pixel to such a small size that viewers would have to be extremely close to notice any difference.
To put this into perspective, research suggests that, when watching resolutions higher than 8K on a 100-inch screen, you would need to be less than a meter away to fully appreciate it – hardly a comfortable viewing distance.
The alternative to moving closer is to increase the size of the display. However, the same research suggests that even with an 8K+ display measuring 180 inches, you would still need to sit at most 1.75m away to fully appreciate it.
While there is no data specifically for 16K screens, when you consider that it contains four times the pixels of 8K, these viewing distances are likely to reduce significantly.
These two factors alone present a compelling argument against 16K from a viewer’s perspective and that’s before considering visual acuity, which can vary considerably from viewer to viewer, as shown in this study.
All things considered, 16K display technology would undoubtedly be effective in experiential or VR settings where super-sized screens could be used to immerse viewers in environments.
However, is there really any place for 16K in a domestic setting where there is limited budget to buy a TV, not to mention wall space on which to hang it? We’re not so sure.
Whether or not manufacturers decide 16K is a sound investment for the future of their mainstream consumer products remains to be seen, but we are not expecting anyone to be in a great hurry to get there.
16K for videographers
Considering the above, it could be easy to assume that creating 16K video is pointless, as most people cannot currently – and may never be able to – view it at its full potential.
There are, however, a number of advantages to recording footage at a higher resolution than the one at which it will be displayed.
First, it future-proofs content, ensuring compatibility with potential technological advances in years to come.
Second, it is common practice to record at a maximum resolution, before downsampling to the desired resolution in post-production. Many believe this produces better quality footage than would have been achieved by simply recording at the lower resolution from the start.
Third, and arguably most important of all, is that recording at higher resolutions than required provides greater shooting and editing freedom. 16K footage contains 16 times the number of pixels of 4K, which means that even if editors crop a frame to a sixteenth of its original size, it would still be good for a 4K display.
The possibilities this presents for reframing shots, stabilizing footage, and even creating a number of completely different shots from a single clip are huge.
Having said this, the larger file sizes of 16K footage would require significant investment in storage space and hardware that has the power to handle such large amounts of data.
With this in mind, creators will need to decide whether the potential benefits are worth the cost.
Final thoughts
There’s no doubt 16K presents huge opportunities for filmmakers and commercial enterprises. However, it is very unlikely the everyday consumer would ever be able to fully appreciate it in an average home setting.
For this reason, instead of splashing out on maximum resolution, we would recommend investing the money in maximizing other features such as high dynamic range (HDR), wide color gamut (WCG), and fast refresh rate, which arguably play a more important role in overall picture quality.
SmartFrame’s image-streaming technology is revolutionizing the way we view images online. Explore our website to learn how this image security, display, and monetization solution is benefitting content owners, publishers, and advertisers around the globe.
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