When it comes to video quality, there are a lot of terms and buzzwords thrown around. It can be overwhelming to try and understand what they all mean and which one is actually the best. In this article, we’ll break down the different types of video quality and determine which one is the highest quality.
Resolution
Resolution refers to the number of pixels that make up a video image. The more pixels there are, the higher the resolution and therefore the clearer and sharper the image will be. The most common resolutions for video are:
- 720p (1280 x 720 pixels)
- 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels)
- 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels)
720p
720p is considered to be high definition (HD) but it’s not as sharp as 1080p or 4K. It’s still a good option for smaller screens like smartphones or tablets but may not look as great on larger screens.
1080p
1080p is also HD, but it’s much sharper than 720p. It’s a popular choice for streaming services like Netflix or Hulu and looks great on most screens.
4K
4K is currently the highest resolution available for consumers. It has four times as many pixels as 1080p, which means it’s incredibly sharp and detailed. However, it requires a special monitor or TV that supports 4K in order to see the difference.
Bitrate
Bitrate refers to the amount of data that is processed per second in a video stream. The higher the bitrate, the more data there is and therefore the better quality image you’ll get.
Low Bitrate
Low bitrate videos have less data and therefore the image quality may suffer. This is common with streaming services that need to compress videos in order to save bandwidth.
High Bitrate
High bitrate videos have more data and therefore look better. They’re typically used for professional video production or Blu-ray discs.
Codec
A codec is a piece of software that compresses and decompresses video files. Different codecs can affect the quality of a video, even if it’s the same resolution or bitrate.
H.264
H.264 is one of the most common codecs used today and is supported by most devices. It’s known for its high compression rate which means smaller file sizes without sacrificing too much quality.
HEVC/H.265
HEVC (also known as H.265) is a newer codec that offers even better compression than H.264, which means even smaller file sizes with better quality.
The Highest Quality
So, what is the highest quality of video? The answer depends on a few factors but generally speaking, 4K with a high bitrate and HEVC codec will give you the best quality possible. However, this requires a device that supports 4K and HEVC as well as a fast internet connection to stream or download.
Ultimately, it comes down to what you need the video for and what’s compatible with your devices. If you’re watching on a smartphone, 720p may be all you need but if you’re watching on a big screen TV, 4K may be worth the investment.
