2K resolution

From HandWiki
Short description: Display devices or content having horizontal resolution of approximately 2,000 pixels


This chart shows the most common display resolutions, with the color of each resolution type indicating the display ratio (e.g. red indicates a 4:3 ratio).
This chart shows the most common display resolutions, with the color of each resolution type indicating the display ratio (e.g. red indicates a 4:3 ratio).

2K resolution is a generic term for display devices or content having a horizontal resolution of approximately 2,000 pixels.[1] In the movie projection industry, Digital Cinema Initiatives is the dominant standard for 2K output and defines a 2K format with a resolution of 2211840 2048 × 1080.[2][3] For television and consumer media, 1920 × 1080 is the most common 2K resolution, but this is normally referred to as 1080p.

Resolutions

Examples of 2K resolutions
Format Resolution Display aspect ratio Pixels
DCI 2K (native resolution) 2211840 2048 × 1080 1.90:1 (256:135, ≈17:9) 2,211,840
DCI 2K (flat cropped) 2157840 1998 × 1080 1.85:1 2,157,840
DCI 2K (CinemaScope cropped) 1757184 2048 × 858 2.39:1 1,755,136
QXGA 3145728 2048 × 1536 1.33:1 (4:3) 3,145,728
WUXGA 2304000 1920 × 1200 1.60:1 (16:10) 2,304,000
Full HD 2073600 1920 × 1080 1.78:1 (16:9) 2,073,600
QWXGA 2359296 2048 × 1152 1.78:1 (16:9) 2,359,296

Standards and terminology

In the cinematography industry, 2K resolution traditionally refers to a digital scan of 35 mm film with a resolution around 2000 pixels wide. Typically this is done at 3186688 2048 × 1556, but the exact dimensions vary based on the aspect ratio and size of the scan area.[4](p714)

Another common 2K resolution in cinema is 2211840 2048 × 1080. This is the resolution of the 2K container format standardized by DCI in their Digital Cinema System Specification in 2005.[2][3] The resolution of the encapsulated video content follows the SMPTE 428-1 standard,[5](§3.2.1) which establishes the following resolutions for a 2K distribution:[6](p6)

  • 2211840 2048 × 1080 (full frame, 256∶135 or ≈1.90∶1 aspect ratio)
  • 2157840 1998 × 1080 (flat crop, 1.85∶1 aspect ratio)
  • 1757184 2048 × 858 (CinemaScope crop, ≈2.39∶1 aspect ratio)

However, the term 2K itself is generic, was not coined by DCI, and does not refer specifically to the DCI 2K standard. Usage of the term 2K predates the publication of the DCI standard.[7][8][9]

The resolution 2073600 1920 × 1080 has also been referred to as a 2K resolution by other standards organizations like NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories and ITU Radiocommunication Sector (which were involved in the standardization of 1080p HDTV and 4K UHDTV).[10][11]

See also

References

  1. James, Jack (2006). Digital Intermediates for Film and Video. Focal Press. p. 125. ISBN 978-0-240-80702-7. https://books.google.com/books?id=qMYR00OxN8EC&pg=PA125. Retrieved April 19, 2014. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Digital Cinema System Specification". Digital Cinema Initiatives. 10 October 2012. http://dcimovies.com/specification/DCI_DCSS_v12_with_errata_2012-1010.pdf. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 Swinson, Peter R (November 2005). "DCI and OTHER Film Formats". http://www.edcf.net/edcf_docs/DCI%20and%20OTHER%20Film%20Formats.pdf. 
  4. Ascher, Steven (2007). The Filmmaker's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age. Penguin. pp. 189, 714. ISBN 978-045-2-286-788. https://books.google.com/books?id=3NFAbjYD8MkC. Retrieved March 29, 2015. 
  5. "Digital Cinema System Specification Version 1.2 with Errata as of 30 August 2012 Incorporated". Digital Cinema Initiatives, LLC. October 10, 2012. http://dcimovies.com/specification/DCI_DCSS_v12_with_errata_2012-1010.pdf. 
  6. SMPTE 428-1-2006: D-Cinema Distribution Master - Image Characteristics, Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), September 29, 2006 
  7. "Defining_2K_and_4K". 2004-03-25. https://www.cinematography.net/edited-pages/Defining_2K_and_4K.htm. 
  8. "CGTalk | 2K Film Resolution". 2003-06-24. http://forums.cgsociety.org/t/2k-film-resolution/694549. 
  9. "what resolution/ratio/frame rate? : Cinema 4D". 2002-09-26. https://forums.creativecow.net/docs/forums/post.php?forumid=19&postid=182104&univpostid=182104&pview=t&archive=T. 
  10. "JOURNALS | Broadcast Technology | NHK STRL". 2021-08-17. https://www.nhk.or.jp/strl/english/publica/bt/68/10.html. 
  11. "ITU-R BT.2245-6". 2021-08-17. p. 18. https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/rep/R-REP-BT.2245-6-2019-PDF-E.pdf.