Does 4K really make a difference? Sony compares SD to 2K to 4K in PDF.

[edDV]

Sony is beginning to Promote Digital Cinema to the wide audience as they convert theaters to 4Kx2K projection.



Website
http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/mkt-digitalcinema/

4K White Paper
http://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/static/files/mkt/digitalcinema/Why_4K_WP_Final.pdf

[redwudz]

I thought it was interesting in the white paper to say that HDTV was only a bit less quality than the presently used 2K from movie theaters. If that's so, I can see why they might want to promote a higher resolution format.

[JohnnyMalaria]

I cannot abide 2K projection in cinemas. I "see" it.

[edDV]

2K = 2048x1080.
For 1.85:1 aspect films, 2k gets masked down to 1998x1080. For 2.35:1 aspect films, 2048 pixels are projected wide.

Also, there is no overscan for projection. Instead they mask the edges so more pixels reach the screen.

The main difference between 2K cinema and HDTV is screen size and seating distance. All of the same picture height multipliers apply to home theater but our smaller screens resolve at around 1-2 meters.

Still most all film production today is at 2Kx1K due to digital camera optics-sensor limitations*. Most digital TV production is done at 1440x1080p (HDCAM) or less.


*Star wars III got to 4Kx2K by using 2Kx1K composites.