Benefits of higher video resolutions
A commonly mentioned argument to dismiss recording at higher video resolutions is not currently owning a monitor or television with the according resolution (e.g., 2160p).
However, even if one does not currently own a monitor to match the resolution of the recorded video footage, recording at a higher resolution still brings the following benefits.
Future-proofness
Even if one does not own a display that matches the resolution of a higher-resolution video, one will likely own such a monitor in the future.
Example: If one bought a 2160p television today, 2160p videos recorded in 2014 could be enjoyed in full magnificence today.
Post-production leeway
Some video players support zooming into the video during playback. A higher video resolution allows for further zooming and a superior level of detail.
In addition, higher resolutions allow for more leeway for cropping in a video editor.
Software that can add digital video stabilization requires cropping the image to compensate for camera movement. With higher-resolution video footage, there is a greater resolution to spare after applied digital video stabilization.
Chroma subsampling
Consumer video cameras use 4:2:0 chroma subsampling, which means that while all pixels of each video frame contain brightness information, only every fourth pixel contains color information. That color information is stretched to fill each group of 2×2 pixels.[1]
This mechanism for saving storage space reduces storage space consumption to
Higher bit rate
Even if one does not own a 2160p monitor, video cameras (including mobile phones) select a much higher bit rate for 2160p video, which visibly reduces compression artifacts when viewed on a 1080p screen compared to 1080p video.
Mobile phone cameras usually record 1080p at 16 Mbit/s and 2160p at 48 Mbit/s.
Still images
Higher-resolution video footage allows the extraction of higher-resolution still frames that can act as a standalone photo.
Each frame of a 4K (2160p) video can act as a solid 8.3-megapixel photo.
Each frame of a 6K (3240p) video has 18.6 megapixels, and each frame of an 8K (4320p) video has a whopping 33.2 megapixels.
In comparison, each frame of WQHD (1440p) footage only has 3.7 megapixels, FullHD (1080p) only 2.1 megapixels, and HD (720p) only 1.3 megapixels per frame.
Valid arguments for lower resolutions
Battery usage
Recording at higher pixel rates (resolution × frame rate) requires more computing power and thus drains the battery faster, wearing down the battery quicker.
This especially is a problem on mobile phones with non-replaceable batteries.
Space storage
Higher resolutions and/or framerates require higher bit rates to reduce visible ugly compression artifacts, thus demanding more storage space.
However, during the 2010s decade, prices for storage space have decreased significantly, while storage density has skyrocketed.
Image stabilization
Some cameras such as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 and DMC-GH4 disable optical image stabilization for 2160p 4K video recording, which means that the lens does not move to counteract handheld camera shakes.
The technical reason for this restriction is unknown.
Higher framerates
With a lower selected video resolution, a video camera is usually able to reach higher recording framerates, which allows for smoother viewing and for slowing down during playback or editing while still having an acceptable frame rate to spare.
It should be noted that some video cameras, especially earlier phones (e.g., Galaxy Note 2, S4, Note 3, S5, and Note 4) store videos recorded at higher framerates without audio and with an altered framerate.
Compatibility
Although lower-resolution videos are compatible with devices with insufficient chipset performance, higher-resolution footage can always be converted to lower-resolution footage at any later point.
Resources
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External links
Related navigation boxes: Electronics • Mobile phones • Data storage • User experience and user interfaces
