Help me understand 4k...

[HecFam]

Im just always a bit confused about this.

From what i assume, normally, the resolution is taken from the height for example 1080p is 1920x1080. so the 1080 is taken from the height, not width.

Now, with 4k tvs, the resolution is 4096x2160, or 3840x2160. So do they take the 4K from the width, because it certainly isn't 4000 pixels high. Or is it a combination of the two, because both width and height is doubled, leaving it somewhat 2 times height, 2 times width. Making it 4 times 1080p (4 times the pixels).

Im not sure if i am just confused by the marketing, because, for example, videos are usually said to be a 360p, 480p, 720p, or 1080p video so would 4k not be 2160p?

my monitor is 2560x1440, so do i have a 2.37k monitor?

I just find it strange that they say it is 4k, rather than saying 2160p.

Sorry for the whole batch of crap, but i can't really see why they did it.




Also, looking at this image, 2k is listed as 2048x1080, so that is taken from the height? if so, could 4096x1080 not be 4k?

Does aspect ratio apply, is this a 4k resolution for 17:9, and is different for 16:9.

 

[wunkley]

I believe '4K' is purely a simplicity and marketing term they decided to use.

Far as I understand it, consumer 4k res is 3840 X 2160 pixel dimension. This is basically 4 times the size of 1920 x 1080. Get a calc and work it out.

4k is a lot catchier than 2160p, and more sellable to consumers who don't really understand but just want the latest fancy sounding tech. You can just say it's 4 times 'better'. I can see why they're doing it.

 

[andybird123]

Yes, they changed the way they reference it, 3840x2160 is officially called "ultrahd" and 4096 they are calling true4k or cinema4k

Basically the production industry have always refered to resolutions by the width instead of height and they were the first to get access to "4k" equipment so that reference bled in to consumer kit instead of sticking with the height references from HD 720p and FullHD 1080p