Video Resolution and Frame Rate Reference Guide
Frame Size Calculation: Uncompressed RGB (24-bit) frame size = Width × Height × 3 bytes. Actual compressed frame sizes can be 10-100x smaller depending on codec and quality settings.
Common Video Resolutions
Consumer & Web Resolutions
480p (SD) - 720 × 480 pixels
Uncompressed Frame Size: ~1.0 MB
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 or 4:3
Usage: Legacy DVD content, older streaming platforms, basic web video
Media Pipeline: Archive digitization specialists, legacy content distributors, web content creators with bandwidth constraints
Created With: Standard definition cameras, DVD rips, older mobile devices
720p (HD) - 1280 × 720 pixels
Uncompressed Frame Size: ~2.8 MB
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Usage: HD screen resolution for broadcasters, streaming platforms, mobile content, broadcast television
Media Pipeline: Broadcast engineers, streaming platform encoders, mobile content creators, live streamers
Created With: HD cameras, smartphones, broadcast equipment, streaming encoders
1080p (Full HD) - 1920 × 1080 pixels
Uncompressed Frame Size: ~6.2 MB
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Usage: Full HD standard for streaming and broadcasting, Blu-ray, television production, professional video
Media Pipeline: Video editors, broadcast technicians, streaming engineers, content creators, post-production specialists
Created With: Professional cameras, DSLRs, smartphones, broadcast cameras, streaming equipment
Professional & Cinema Resolutions
2K DCI - 2048 × 1080 pixels
Uncompressed Frame Size: ~6.6 MB
Aspect Ratio: 1.9:1 (Cinema)
Usage: Digital cinema projection, film post-production intermediate format
Media Pipeline: Cinema projectionists, film colorists, digital intermediate technicians, cinema mastering engineers
Created With: Digital cinema cameras, film scanners, professional post-production systems
4K UHD - 3840 × 2160 pixels
Uncompressed Frame Size: ~24.9 MB
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Usage: 4K UHD with a 16:9 aspect ratio is the dominant standard for television, streaming platforms, consumer displays, broadcast
Media Pipeline: Streaming platform engineers, broadcast technicians, content creators, TV production teams
Created With: 4K cameras, modern smartphones, professional broadcast equipment, streaming encoders
4K DCI - 4096 × 2160 pixels
Uncompressed Frame Size: ~26.5 MB
Aspect Ratio: 1.9:1 (Cinema)
Usage: The movie projection industry uses 4096 × 2160 (DCI 4K), theatrical releases, cinema mastering
Media Pipeline: Cinema mastering engineers, theatrical projection specialists, film post-production supervisors
Created With: Professional cinema cameras, film post-production systems, cinema servers
6K - 6144 × 3160 pixels (DCI) / 5760 × 3240 (16:9)
Uncompressed Frame Size: ~58.3 MB (DCI) / ~56.0 MB (16:9)
Aspect Ratio: 1.9:1 or 16:9
Usage: High-end cinema production, VFX workflows, future-proofing content creation
Media Pipeline: VFX artists, high-end cinematographers, digital imaging technicians, cinema production teams
Created With: High-end cinema cameras (RED, Arri, Canon), professional film production equipment
8K UHD - 7680 × 4320 pixels
Uncompressed Frame Size: ~99.5 MB
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Usage: 8K takes visual fidelity to an even higher level, next-generation broadcasting, premium content creation, large format displays
Media Pipeline: Cutting-edge content creators, next-gen broadcast engineers, premium streaming platform technicians, large venue display specialists
Created With: Latest 8K cameras, high-end professional equipment, specialized broadcast systems
8K DCI - 8192 × 4320 pixels
Uncompressed Frame Size: ~106.2 MB
Aspect Ratio: 1.9:1 (Cinema)
Usage: Future cinema formats, high-end VFX, archival mastering
Media Pipeline: Future-facing cinema technicians, high-end VFX studios, archival specialists, research institutions
Created With: Cutting-edge cinema cameras, specialized scanning equipment, research-grade imaging systems
Common Frame Rates
23.976fps / 24fps
Usage: 24fps is the standard frame rate for feature films, most TV, streaming video content, and cinema - creates the classic "cinematic look"
Media Pipeline: Film directors, cinematographers, film editors, cinema projection technicians, streaming platform engineers
Created With: Cinema cameras, professional film equipment, digital cinema systems
25fps
Usage: European television standard (PAL), international broadcasting, European film production
Media Pipeline: European broadcast engineers, international content distributors, PAL region television producers
Created With: PAL broadcast equipment, European television cameras, international broadcasting systems
29.97fps / 30fps
Usage: 30fps is well-suited for live broadcasts of news and sports action, North American television standard (NTSC), live streaming, online content
Media Pipeline: Broadcast engineers, live event producers, news producers, online content creators, streaming technicians
Created With: Broadcast cameras, live streaming equipment, camcorders, television production gear
48fps
Usage: High frame rate cinema (pioneered by Peter Jackson), 3D movies, experimental cinema formats
Media Pipeline: Experimental filmmakers, 3D cinema specialists, high frame rate projection technicians, premium cinema engineers
Created With: HFR cinema cameras, specialized 3D equipment, premium cinema projection systems
50fps / 59.94fps / 60fps
Usage: 60fps is ideal for shooting slow-mo content and produces a smooth effect for high-quality footage, sports broadcasting, gaming content, smooth motion video, typically used for 2x slow motion
Media Pipeline: Sports broadcast engineers, gaming content creators, live streaming professionals, post-production editors creating slow-motion content
Created With: High frame rate cameras, sports broadcast equipment, gaming capture systems, streaming hardware
120fps
Usage: 120fps for 4x slow motion, high-speed action capture, premium gaming content, professional slow-motion sequences
Media Pipeline: Slow-motion specialists, sports analysis technicians, gaming content producers, high-speed cinematographers
Created With: High-speed cameras, professional slow-motion equipment, premium gaming capture systems
240fps and Higher
Usage: 240fps for 8x slow motion, scientific analysis, extreme slow-motion sequences, specialized applications
Media Pipeline: Scientific researchers, specialized cinematographers, industrial analysis technicians, high-speed photography specialists
Created With: Specialized high-speed cameras, scientific imaging equipment, industrial cameras, research-grade capture systems
Variable Frame Rates (VFR)
Usage: Dynamic scenes requiring different frame rates, advanced post-production workflows, adaptive streaming
Media Pipeline: Advanced post-production editors, streaming optimization engineers, dynamic content creators
Created With: Advanced cameras with VFR capability, sophisticated post-production software, adaptive streaming systems
Pipeline Context Quick Reference
| Pipeline Stage | Typical Resolutions | Typical Frame Rates | Key Professionals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capture/Production | 4K/6K/8K (high quality source) | 24fps (cinema), 30fps (TV), 60fps+ (action) | Directors, Cinematographers, Camera Operators |
| Post-Production | 2K-8K (depending on final output) | Source rates + slow-motion rates | Editors, Colorists, VFX Artists |
| Distribution Mastering | Multiple formats (4K, 2K, HD) | 24fps (cinema), 30fps (broadcast) | Mastering Engineers, Quality Control |
| Broadcasting | 720p, 1080i/p, 4K UHD | 25fps (PAL), 30fps (NTSC), 60fps (sports) | Broadcast Engineers, Technical Directors |
| Streaming | Multiple ABR ladder (480p-4K) | 24fps, 30fps, 60fps | Encoding Engineers, CDN Specialists |
| Exhibition/Playback | 2K/4K DCI (cinema), various (consumer) | 24fps (cinema), device-dependent | Projectionists, Playback Operators |
Important Notes
- Frame sizes listed are for uncompressed RGB (24-bit). YUV formats and compressed files will be smaller
- Higher bit depths (10-bit, 12-bit) will increase frame sizes proportionally
- Raw camera formats can be significantly larger than the values listed
- Actual working formats often use intermediate codecs (ProRes, DNxHD) which balance quality and file size