Video format cheat sheet: resolutions, frame rates, codecs

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Video format cheat sheet: resolutions, frame rates, codecs

Every format question answered in one place. No explanations, no history — just the numbers. Bookmark this, print it, pin it above your desk.
Common output resolutions


  Name
  Pixels
  Ratio
  Typical use

HD / 1080p1920 × 108016:9Club, small stage, broadcast
2K DCI2048 × 1080~17:9Cinema, film output
WQHD2560 × 144016:9High-res preview monitors
UHD 4K3840 × 216016:9LED walls, arena, stadium
4K DCI4096 × 2160~17:9High-end broadcast, Disguise
CustomvariesvariesMapped surfaces, wraps, floors


Frame rates — which and when


  FPS
  Region
  Notes

25 / 50Europe, UK, AUMatches 50Hz mains — no flicker with practicals
30 / 60US, JP, KRMatches 60Hz mains
24Film / CinemaAvoid for live — motion judder on most displays
48High-frame filmRare — HFR cinema and some broadcast
120High-speed LEDSpecific LED processors only — confirm spec first


Codec quick reference


  Codec
  Decode
  Alpha
  File size
  Verdict

HAPGPU—MediumDefault for live
HAP AlphaGPU✓Medium+Transparency layers
HAP QGPU—LargeHigher quality, mapping
NotchLCGPU✓LargeBest quality, needs install
Apple ProResCPU✓ (4444)Very largeEditing only
H.264CPU—SmallAvoid live
H.265 / HEVCCPU—SmallAvoid live


HDMI vs DisplayPort vs SDI


  Interface
  Max distance
  Max res
  Notes

HDMI 2.0~5m passive4K@60Consumer standard. Use active cables beyond 5m.
HDMI 2.1~3m passive8K@60 / 4K@120High bandwidth. Short passive runs only.
DisplayPort 1.4~3m passive8K@60Preferred for desktop/pro monitors. Latches lock.
SDI (3G)100m+ coax1080p@60Touring standard. Robust. Requires capture card.
12G-SDI100m+ coax4K@60Broadcast and high-end touring.


Colour space cheat sheet


  Space
  White point
  Gamma
  Use case

sRGBD652.2Web, general purpose
Rec.709D652.4Broadcast HD — VJ default
DCI-P3D632.6Cinema projectors
Display P3D652.2Apple displays — wider than sRGB
Rec.2020D65PQ / HLGHDR broadcast and future LED

Name	Pixels	Ratio	Typical use
HD / 1080p	1920 × 1080	16:9	Club, small stage, broadcast
2K DCI	2048 × 1080	~17:9	Cinema, film output
WQHD	2560 × 1440	16:9	High-res preview monitors
UHD 4K	3840 × 2160	16:9	LED walls, arena, stadium
4K DCI	4096 × 2160	~17:9	High-end broadcast, Disguise
Custom	varies	varies	Mapped surfaces, wraps, floors

FPS	Region	Notes
25 / 50	Europe, UK, AU	Matches 50Hz mains — no flicker with practicals
30 / 60	US, JP, KR	Matches 60Hz mains
24	Film / Cinema	Avoid for live — motion judder on most displays
48	High-frame film	Rare — HFR cinema and some broadcast
120	High-speed LED	Specific LED processors only — confirm spec first

Codec	Decode	Alpha	File size	Verdict
HAP	GPU	—	Medium	Default for live
HAP Alpha	GPU	✓	Medium+	Transparency layers
HAP Q	GPU	—	Large	Higher quality, mapping
NotchLC	GPU	✓	Large	Best quality, needs install
Apple ProRes	CPU	✓ (4444)	Very large	Editing only
H.264	CPU	—	Small	Avoid live
H.265 / HEVC	CPU	—	Small	Avoid live

Interface	Max distance	Max res	Notes
HDMI 2.0	~5m passive	4K@60	Consumer standard. Use active cables beyond 5m.
HDMI 2.1	~3m passive	8K@60 / 4K@120	High bandwidth. Short passive runs only.
DisplayPort 1.4	~3m passive	8K@60	Preferred for desktop/pro monitors. Latches lock.
SDI (3G)	100m+ coax	1080p@60	Touring standard. Robust. Requires capture card.
12G-SDI	100m+ coax	4K@60	Broadcast and high-end touring.

Space	White point	Gamma	Use case
sRGB	D65	2.2	Web, general purpose
Rec.709	D65	2.4	Broadcast HD — VJ default
DCI-P3	D63	2.6	Cinema projectors
Display P3	D65	2.2	Apple displays — wider than sRGB
Rec.2020	D65	PQ / HLG	HDR broadcast and future LED

26 May 2026

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