The 411 On 4K
It’s more than a buzzword.
Let’s break it down. 4K@ 60Hz 4:4:4 8bit
A frame refresh rate measures the Chroma sub-sampling is a type of digital At the end of a 4K spec is its color depth; bandwidth speed of digital signals in hertz signal compression that tracks image this tells you the maximum number of colors (Hz), and tracks the overall frequency of the brightness/color ratios. The first number, Y, that can be displayed. In this example, 8bit is signal. So if you see a device advertised as samples lumas (brightness), while the other a measurement of each red, blue, and green 4K@60Hz it means that signal occurs at a two sample B-Y (blue minus luma) & R-Y (red subpixel. You could also write this spec as frequency of sixty times per second. minus luma) channels. Together, this is YUV, 24bit if you were measuring all 3 subpixels. YCbCr, or digital component video.
4K gets its name from a simple pixel count. Any product advertised as 4K features a screen resolution of at least eight million pixels, or four times the ratio of 1080p displays. One 4K pixel takes up the same amount of room as one 1080p pixel. That’s why 4K products have sharper image clarity, motion capture, & color depth.
1080p 4K Full HD Ultra HD Bandwidth is the key to compatibility. When you run a 4K system, every cable and device in your wheelhouse must support at least 10.2Gbps.
The Technologies Behind 4K
18Gbps 10.2Gbps HDMI Fast, direct data pipeline HDBaseT Signal compression for distance
As the TV industry moved from HDMI 1.4 to 2.0 and HDBaseT is limited to 10.2Gbps. As their technology beyond, cables shifted with them. Many HDMI cables advances to support 18Gbps, video formats like 4K HDR transmit up to 18Gbps of bandwidth to create a bigger or the “true” 4K – usually an uncompressed signal of 4K @ pipeline for increased data, and are considered the most 60Hz 4:4:4 – still need light compression to transmit over straightforward 4K solution. HDBaseT systems and long-distance solutions.
How Do I Know If It’s 4K? We can help. Here’s a breakdown of every type of 4K currently available on the market.
Generic HDMI Actual Frame Chroma Color Wide Color Data Rate System Name Version Resolution Rate Sub-Sampling Bit Depth HDR Gamut (Bandwidth) Base
1080p 1.4 1920x1080 24 fps 4:2:0 8 bit No No 2.23 Gbps Copper
1080p 1.4 1920x1080 60 fps 4:2:0 8 bit No No 4.45 Gbps Copper
1080p 1.4 1920x1080 60 fps 4:4:4 8 bit No No 4.45 Gbps Copper
4K@30 1.4 3840x2160 24 fps 4:2:0 8 bit No No 8.91 Gbps Copper
4K@30 1.4 3840x2160 24 fps 4:4:4 8 bit No No 8.91 Gbps Copper
4K@30 1.4 4096x2160 24 fps 4:4:4 8 bit No No 8.91 Gbps Copper
4K@60 1.4 3840x2160 60 fps 4:2:0 8 bit No No 8.91 Gbps Copper
4K@60 2.0 3840x2160 60 fps 4:2:0 8 bit No No 8.91 Gbps Copper
4K@30 2.0 3840x2160 24 fps 4:2:2 10 bit Yes Yes 8.91 Gbps Copper
4K@30 2.0 3840x2160 24 fps 4:4:4 10 bit Yes Yes 11.14 Gbps Fiber
4K@60 2.0 3840x2160 60 fps 4:2:0 10 bit Yes Yes 11.14 Gbps Fiber
4K@30 2.0 3840x2160 24 fps 4:4:4 12 bit Yes Yes 13.37 Gbps Fiber
4K@60 2.0 3840x2160 60 fps 4:2:0 12 bit Optional Yes 13.37 Gbps Fiber
4K@60 2.0 3840x2160 60 fps 4:2:2 12 bit Optional Yes 17.82 Gbps Fiber
4K@60 2.0 3840x2160 60 fps 4:4:4 8 bit Optional Yes 17.82 Gbps Fiber Which devices will my 4K system support? Building a 4K-capable HDMI or HDCP system? Keep 2 main benchmarks in mind when factoring in higher frame rate refresh levels, sharper contrast, and color depth options. • 4K UHD products must have a bandwidth of less than or equal to 10.2Gbps, & support HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2, & 4K@60 Hz. This includes up to 4K@60Hz 4:2:0 with 8bit color, & other hi-def formats.
• 4K HDR products must have a bandwidth between 10.2 - 18Gbps, & support HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2, and at least 4K@60Hz, including 4K @ 60Hz 4:4:4. Products must also meet category specifications for basic HDR, Dolby Vision, and HDR 10.
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