What is meant by the term “Video Resolution?”
Video resolution is a unit of measurement for the video’s width by height in pixels. The higher its value, the more precise and solid the video is. As a result, you get a more vivid viewing experience, with no blurring of smaller elements. Video resolution plays a key role in boosting engagement; studies show videos can increase user interaction by up to 80%. In this post, we’ll explore why higher resolution matters, its impact on viewers, and tips for selecting the best resolution for your content strategy.
What do letters P and I stand for in Resolution?
For video resolution, we use letter-number combos — 720p, 1080i, etc. These letters indicate how video content is displayed on your screen: P is for “progressive” scan and I stands for “interlaced” one.
We all remember those bulky pot-bellied monitors from the 2000s, the interlaced scan was displayed just on them. It provokes the so-called “comb” effect on moving objects, have you noticed that annoying flashing light? But time passed and engineers did their best to find a way out. Thus, “refresh rate” turned into “frame rate” (FPS). This term refers to the frequency (rate) at which consecutive images are captured per second.
Progressive technology displays the image by scanning each line sequentially, which contributes to getting a clearer and more detailed image for a better playback, and AI photo editing tools can further enhance this clarity and detail. Therefore, pictures on modern displays sweep past so swiftly that no human eye can track them. There are no visual artifacts associated with interlaced video of the same line rate, motion is smooth and realistic, and can be even captured for photos. Say “adieu” to nerve-racking flickering when watching TV. If you’re aiming to optimize your video quality further, consider using ai video enhancer tools for enhanced clarity and detail.
| Format | Designation | Video Resolution | File Size (1 minute) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD | 360p | 480×360 | 5 MB |
| FSD | 480p | 640×480 | 12 MB |
| HD | 720p | 1280×720 | 15 MB |
| Full HD | 1080p | 1920×1080 | 25 MB |
| 2K | 1440p | 2560×1440 | 50 MB |
| 4K | 2160p | 3840×2160 | 120 MB |
360p Resolution: Basic Information
A 360p screen resolution is made up of 360 lines overlapping each other, with each line being as wide as 480 pixels. In writing, it is marked with a multiplication sign — 480×360. 360p is a perfect fit for small and medium-sized screens, like smartphones or tablets. This video dimension consumes less system resources, but provides a less clear image on large format displays.
360p resolution, often considered basic, offers a pixel count of 640×360, making it suitable for quick uploads and low-bandwidth scenarios. While not ideal for high-quality visuals, it still plays a role in video marketing, allowing brands to share content efficiently. It’s a stepping stone for engaging wider audiences online.
480p Resolution: Basic Information
480p video resolution, or standard definition (640×480), provides an aspect ratio equal to 4:3. There are 480 progressive scanning lines oriented vertically and 640 vertical progressive pixels in horizontal direction. 480p video is a perfect match for laptops and desktop monitors, as well as for small format displays.
720p Resolution: Basic Information
HD TV channels broadcast at 720p (1280×720), this format holds 720 lines oriented horizontally, with 16:9 aspect ratio. It asks for less bandwidth than the interlaced counterpart and may be scanned progressively. HD 720p video dimension provides a precise and vibrant picture for all modern monitors.
1080p Resolution: Basic Information
1080p or Full HD features 1920×1080 resolution by default. It contains over 2 million pixels and is perfect for sharing on social media or broadcasting on large-sized displays and TVs. 1080p gives viewers the highest possible video quality, with top-notch playback. If you are a gamer, you may already have seen 1080p images on your Xbox or PlayStation.
2K Resolution: Basic Information
2K resolution, or 1440p/Quad HD/QHD, is an advanced version of 1080p. When we think about it, movie screenings pop up in our heads. 2K contains 2,560 pixels oriented horizontally and 1,440 ― vertically. However, this resolution is officially considered Quad HD (QHD) as it has four times as many pixels as 720p holds, and these additional pixels make the picture more precise. If you capture an image from such a video and then scale it up, its quality won’t get worse. This format is widely used in high-end smartphones and gaming monitors, and is well suited to viewing media such as movies, digital magazines, and interactive digital PDFs.
4K Resolution: Basic Information
4K is the shorthand name for digital video resolution with horizontal and vertical frame ratio. When working with 4K footage, an AI video generator app can streamline the creation of ultra-high-definition videos, maintaining the superior resolution while ensuring efficiency in editing and production. This format incorporates four times as many pixels as 1080p HD video and makes even the tiniest objects clearly visible — you can scale a picture up to 200% while maintaining the best video quality. The magnificent color palette and detailed images make it a perfect fit for home theaters, healthcare activities, video-based communication, etc.
Thus, people usually don’t notice much difference between 2K and 4K. Some believe Full HD is enough, since it consumes less power and GPU doesn’t work hard to show more pixels. In a nutshell, 4K is going to make our dreams of glass-free 3D environment come true.
Finding the Right Resolution for Your Video
To find a perfect video resolution that can address your needs, we suggest answering these questions:
- What are your goals? Are you going to make a video in low resolution to spare some space or upload on the website? Or are you an ecommerce business like Cafely who can benefit from showcasing videos of farmers picking beans at the highest quality to increase conversions.
- Do the details matter? Has Google rank monitoring shown that your video platform’s ranking dropped dramatically? Keep in mind that video quality depends on the resolution you are going to use.
- Are you going to send your video to anyone? How are you going to make it? Please note that if you send your video via email or share it in messenger, its quality may worsen. Thanks to modern video streaming app development, you can broadcast your video in real-time to a huge audience.
How to Choose the Best Video Resolution for YouTube?
To achieve superior 4K video quality, choose the maximum possible resolution, 2160p, when shooting your video. However, there are some disadvantages: 4K eats up the storage, and after you upload the video, it will rack up data. Keep in mind that you should also have a stable internet connection while uploading.
When dealing with large video files, it’s essential to consider using a video compressor. We recommend using 1080p that will make your video sharp without consuming too much data and storage. As a matter of fact, Full HD is known as a reference point for videos. This resolution brings together the best image quality for YouTube and acceptance of viewers, no matter what video player is used. Additionally, leveraging the capabilities of the best AI video editor and remote video editing software can streamline the editing process and enhance the overall quality of your content. Also create stunning YouTube thumbnails to capture viewers’ attention at first glance and complete the package for professional-looking videos. From ensuring sharpness in videos to optimizing your headshot for professional content, these tools support high-quality outcomes, especially important for personal branding or company branding needs
Looking for the Best Video Resolution for Instagram
Video resolution requirements for Insta Stories
If you want to boost user involvement and views on Insta Stories, you need to create high-quality videos. Integrating a video background remover into your editing process can significantly elevate the quality and professionalism of your content, making it stand out in a crowded social media landscape. In this case, a special video editor for Instagram can help you. Videos shared with your subscribers should meet the following requirements:
- Upload a video with an aspect ratio 9:16, 16:9, or 4:5.
- Use 1080×1920px resolution (recommended).
- The minimum video width is 500px.
Or you can use an AI story generator to craft compelling narratives that complement your high-quality videos, making your Instagram Stories not only visually appealing but also engaging on a storytelling level. This combination of captivating visuals and compelling storytelling can significantly enhance user involvement and increase views on your Insta Stories. It can even help you get free Instagram followers and increase your follower base to get more attention and engagement.
Video resolution requirements for Insta Posts
If you upload top-notch videos on Instagram, you make your account more attractive and engaging for the audience. To post video content, the maximum width should be as large as 320px by 1080px. Its resolution and aspect ratio may vary as you switch between different formats.
Before you post vertical videos, make sure they meet the following requirements:
- The maximum aspect ratio cannot exceed 4:5. Otherwise, your video will be trimmed.
- 1080×1350 resolution is recommended.
Video resolution requirements for IGTV
IGTV is booming in popularity. Thus, you’d better try to make your videos watchable and stick to the following requirements:
- 1080×1920 video resolution is highly recommended. The minimum video format is 720px.
- Use 9:16 aspect ratio for vertical videos and 16:9 – for horizontal ones.
What Resolution is Better for Video Conferencing?
These days, video conferencing vendors offer a variety of software products for holding immersive Ultra HD meetings. If you’re going to run online communications effectively, use 16:9 aspect ratio for HD systems and 4:3 — for standard definition.
For example, TrueConf boasts a 4K feature for getting “telepresence” experience during video-based communication. With this UC platform, you can host video calls in 3840×2160 resolution. This outstanding advantage gives this online meeting solution a leg up over the competitors.