Solutions
Demystifying
Technology
4K ultra high definition (UHD)
resolution offers considerable
value in high end business
environments like control rooms,
network operations centers, sports
arenas and the like. 4K significantly
enhances the user’s ability to view
finely detailed imagery.
Today, there are a new breed
of 4K monitors and projectors
that are being hailed as the next
generation in visual standards.
However, the limitations imposed
by infrastructure raise some
interesting questions about 4K
deployment.
Lightware USA Solutions
lightwareusa.com
What is 4K?
The term “4K” refers to video signals with a horizontal resolution on the order of
4,096 pixels.
4096 x 2160
4K
UHD
3840 X 2160
HDTV
1920 x 1080
SDTV
720 x 480
1080p
Digital images are made up of many pixels arranged in a grid. Traditional HD
displays use signals with 1080p resolution, where the visible image is 1920 pixels
wide and 1080 pixels tall.
4K
4K display consists of 4096 pixels x 2,160 pixels of resolution. This puts 4K at the
top of the current scale of digital resolutions in which the bottom is occupied by
standard definition TV at 720 x 480.
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Demystifying 4K
Why 4K Matters Today?
Better Image Quality
With greater than 4x times the number of pixels, 4K resolution displays offer
a major breakthrough in performance that will help usher in a new era of
digital display applications. With this new higher resolution, 4K displays now
offer greater depth, realism and impact. They also provide a larger field of
view, which delivers a more immersive user experience.
Smaller Footprint
For most users, especially in the workplace environment, it’s commonplace
valuable space. With four times the resolution of 1080p, 4K displays can
provide a less cluttered workspace. Since there’s more resolution to work
with, larger screens can be used without losing image quality and multiple
application windows can be viewed on a single screen.
Advanced Applications
For many users, especially in the workplace environment, it’s commonplace
valuable space. With four times the resolution of 1080p, 4K displays can
provide a less cluttered workspace. Since there’s more resolution to work
with, larger screens can be used without losing image quality and multiple
application windows can be viewed on a single screen.
Lightware USA Solutions
lightwareusa.com
Implementation Challenges with 4K Technology
Bit Rate
Digital video is composed of a grid of pixels called a frame. These frames are
refreshed on a display multiple times per second (frame rate) to create movement.
The typical refresh rate of a signal is sixty times per second or 60 Hz. Within the
individual frame, each displayed pixel is represented by a number of digital bits of
information. In digital video signals including DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort, these
digital bits are transported from the source to the destination at extremely high
data rates. This is required in order to perfectly transport every pixel, in every
frame, multiple times per second.
For example, the digital bit rate of a 1080p / 60Hz / 8-bit signal is 1.48 Gbps per
color (R, G, B). That’s 1,480,000,000 bits per second per color. The capacity of
a given transport system to carry these signals is generally known as bandwidth.
The challenge being, an uncompressed 4K signal at 30 Hz with 8-bit color requires
twice the bandwidth of an uncompressed 1080p signal. A 4K signal at 60 Hz with
8-bit color requires four times the bandwidth of an uncompressed 1080p signal.
As you can see, available space becomes a premium as the increase in signal is
required.
Infrastructure
Now that 4K displays are rapidly saturating the market with lower prices plus
personal computers along with other sources supporting 4K resolutions are also
becoming readily available. Therein lies the problem.
In current professional and commercial applications, the video infrastructures (the
equipment and pathways connecting sources and displays) cannot handle the
enormous data rates required by uncompressed 4K. This issue represents a huge
problem for corporations, technicians, installers and consultants who want their
AV systems that are designed today to be future ready.
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Demystifying 4K
Technology
Proven 4K Solutions
Helping You Master the 4K Road Map
At Lightware USA, we’ve been an industry leader in high-performance futureproof video distribution systems since our inception. Our popular MX Series matrix
switchers effectively support 4K (UHD) signals along with our 4K I/O cards. For
years, Lightware USA has been offering a complete range of 4K I/O cards for
CAT, twisted pair (HDBaseT™) and optical signal transport – more than any other
manufacturer on the market today. We also offer a wide range of CAT, twisted
pair (HDBaseT™) and optical extenders that support 4K video transport up to
557 feet.
As a leading AV manufacturer, we continue to develop new product solutions
that help decipher tomorrow’s video distribution challenges. Our 4K products will
give your AV system the future-proof performance and dependability that our
customers have come to expect. At Lightware USA, we understand that longterm system development isn’t just about 4K technology — it’s about all-around
forward thinking. There is something to be said about the peace of mind that
comes with owning a 4K solution that will not only functionally last the test of time,
but remain technologically relevant going forward. Contact one of our Lightware
USA representatives today to learn how we can put our products, our technology
and our experience to work for you.
Solutions
40 Engelwood Drive —Suite C
Lake Orion, MI 48359
888.587.5587
[email protected]
lightwareusa.com