Although 8K resolution is expected to overtake 4K as the new standard for TVs and monitors, is it really worth the additional cost? Continue reading to discover more about the 8K technology, content, specifications, and other factors to think about.

What Is 8K?

With four times as many pixels as its predecessor, 8K resolution is the next step up from 4K resolution.

Similar to 4K, this term refers to both displays that can view it as well as equipment that records in this quality (such as cameras and cellphones) (televisions and computer displays).

Compared to 8K devices, which use 4840 x 2160 pixels for 4K recording devices and displays, 8K devices and displays increase this to 7680 x 4320 pixels, for a combined 33,177,600 pixels (33.2 MP).

Several 6K devices exist between 8K and 6K, however, this resolution is often limited to a few professional recording items rather than widely available consumer devices.

Why Is It Called 8K?

The designation 8K alludes to the number of pixels seen on the horizontal edge of the image, which is about 8,000.

While this is a catch-all word, it is really divided into two primary sub-categories: 8K UHD (Ultra-High Definition) — sometimes known as UHD2 — and 8K DCI (Digital Cinema Initiatives — a partnership between a number of major movie studios that was formed to establish standards for digital cinema systems).

Resolution comparison

Full HD4K UHD8K UHDDimensions1920 X 10803840 x 21607680 X 4320Total pixels2.1MP8.3MP33.2MPAspect ratio16:916:916:9

How does 8K work?

To understand how 8K works, it is vital to understand resolution. The term “resolution” can refer to a variety of things, but in this article, we’ll be discussing pixel resolution, which is the total number of pixels included within an image or frame of video footage.

Because each of these pixels can only represent one value, the more pixels in each frame of footage, the more detailed a movie might theoretically be. And, given that 8K has four times the number of pixels as 4K, its ability for additional information is enormous.

That is not to suggest that 8K inherently improves a video. Many additional elements influence video quality, including the quality of the lens used to capture footage and the competence of the filmmaker, as well as the choice of frame rate, bit rate, and color depth.

Is It Worth It to Buy an 8K Monitor?

With so little 8K content accessible to enjoy, and the fact that you’re unlikely to notice the difference in everyday life, why buy an 8K monitor at all?

To begin with, 8K monitors can display lower-resolution content by automatically upscaling the video to fill the extra pixels. This means that you can not only watch 4K Blu-rays and Netflix videos but also play video games on such panels in the future when watching content that was initially shot in 8K.

Another advantage is that, because 8K is still a relatively new technology, the TVs and monitors that support it are frequently the most recent models with the most advanced capabilities.

As a result, they are more likely to benefit from features such as quick refresh rates, high dynamic range (HDR), and wide color gamut (WCG), which are perhaps more essential than resolution in terms of overall image quality.

Benefits of Recording 8K

While it may be difficult for the average customer to appreciate the advantages of an 8K display, there are many advantages to filming in this resolution. Many of us do, in fact, already appreciate them without even realizing it.

Greater Freedom When Shooting and Editing

For filmmakers, using 8K footage in a 4K production has many benefits.

Because 8K offers so many more pixels than 4K, footage can be drastically cropped without sacrificing the resolution needed for 4K output.

As a result, there is far more flexibility in how you can frame your photos because you can change the composition and stabilize the video after it has been shot.

With such high resolutions, it is also feasible to pan across an image or zoom in. A filmmaker may, for instance, take a long, wide-angle shot and then, by simply cutting in, divide it into broad and close-up images. Because of this, one camera can effectively replace two, saving both time and money.

Possibility of Higher General Quality

Hardware makers frequently design their products to capture 4K video at a higher resolution (such as 5K or 6K) if that is possible, then downscale the video to 4K for output.

It is frequently asserted that doing so will result in a higher-quality film than if it were just recorded at 4K, to begin with.

So, it’s perfectly possible that the extra information provided by 8K recording will also help downscaled footage in terms of aspects of video quality like color and image noise reduction.

8K for Gaming

As far as game graphics are concerned, 8K is clearly better than 4K. The increased pixel count means that you can really see the difference in picture quality when comparing side-by-side with 4K.

But the resolution has never been a top concern in the world of video games. Developers and gamers are more concerned with other aspects of graphics quality, especially the refresh rate, which is most important for games.

The refresh rate is the number of times per second that a raster-based display device displays a new image. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the screen will look and the easier it will be for people to see.

So gamers should also pay attention to the refresh rate while considering the resolution of the device.

The AV Access 8KSW21-KVM is an 8K KVM switch that offers both high resolution and a high refresh rate. It supports 10K@120hz, 8K@120hz, 4K@120hz, 2560×1440@165hz/144hz/120hz and 1080P@240hz/165hz/144hz/120hz, ensuring your game sources can be effectively switched.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 8K resolution is a significant leap forward in terms of pixel density and image quality, but its adoption is still in its early stages. Although limited due to the availability of 8K content, filmmakers and content creators may benefit from its high resolution and post-production flexibility.

As with any new technology, the adoption of 8K will depend on factors like content availability, cost, and consumer demand, but it certainly has the potential to revolutionize the way we consume and create visual content in the future.