What is 2K Resolution? Everything You Need to Know Is Here!

Nola Jones
Mar 15, 2024 / Updated by Nola Jones to Knowledge

For those who adore watching online videos, such as on YouTube, you indeed have encountered different resolutions that you can set according to your choice, network strength, or video types. Thus, you surely have heard of the 2K resolution, primarily standard in Digital Cinema Initiatives, and may also be called 1080p in the world of TV shows and media. To have a broad knowledge of 2K video resolution, dive into this post to learn more about it and how it differs from other video resolutions, like 4K and 1K resolution. Let’s begin!

What is 2K Resolution? Detailed Introduction

What is 2K resolution? In the standard pixel measurement, 2K resolution is 2048 x 1080, while the most common specification is 2560 x 1440, known as Quad High Definition. Since the pixels are approximately 2000, the resolution is called 2K.

Commonly, monitors fall into 2K, allowing a full-screen viewing, in which the display has less noise and details, even when zoomed. That said, 2K resolution built a foundation for getting high-quality photographs. Although it started to get phased out due to advanced resolutions in the market, you can still find it in devices such as monitors, film and video production, cameras, gaming, and more.

However, compared to newer resolutions like 4K, the 2K requires minimal bandwidth and storage space, so you can easily download 2K videos without stressing storage space.

To add that, the 2K dimension in TV shows and online media world is 1920 x 1080, which can be called 1080p. So, you might have doubts about why there are a variety of pixels that can be 2K. Therefore, to know why 2K works like this, keep reading the following section, which will show you different 2K resolutions for diverse formats.

More about Different 2K Resolution Sizes for Different Formats

The truth is that 2K is not exclusive to Digital Cinema Initiatives; other resolutions can also be referred to as 2K. For more details, shown in the table below are the resolutions that can be called 2K resolution, together with their aspect ratio and format.

Resolution4K Aspect Ratio Format
2048 x 1080 1.90:1 (256:135) (17:9) Native resolution
2048 x 1536 1.33:1 (4:3) QXGA
2040 x 858 2.39:1 CinemaScope cropped
1998 x 1080 1.85:1 Flat cropped
1920 x 1080 1.78:1 (16.9) Full HD
1920 x 1200 1.60:1 (16:10) WUXGA

2K VS. 4K VS. 1080P Resolution: Differences between Them

From the above information, 2K resolution has been compared slightly to 4K resolution, but both have many differences, including the 1080p. These differences revolve around the pixel count, quality, uses, and overall visual experience.

When you have slipped at the table, you see that each pixel has distinct resolutions; the higher the pixels, the more precise the picture is. Without a doubt, 4K has the highest quality among them. But, considering requirements, display compatibility, and others, it's essential to look at what differs between 2K, 4K, and 1080p resolutions.

4K

Among them, 4K is the greatest resolution, providing an immersive visual and viewing experience. This resolution is approximately 8,294,400 pixels, with 4,000 in the horizontal direction and 2,160 vertically, known as Ultra HD or UHD. In contrast with lower resolutions like 1K video resolution, it needs more robust hardware and higher bandwidth to acquire a smooth playback. Furthermore, the 4K resolution is primarily used in monitors, cameras, streaming platforms, and newer televisions.

2K

Different from 4K videos, 2K resolution is less demanding regarding the needed hardware and bandwidth. It has around 2000 horizontal pixels and 1080 vertical pixels and is called Quad HD. A 2K picture has approximately 2,073,600 pixels, less than the number of pixels in 4K videos. As for availability, 2K resolution nowadays needs to be expanded compared to the 4K content in TV shows, movies, and streaming platforms. But it is beneficial for graphic design, gaming, and video editing, where clarity is a must!

1080p

Of the three resolutions, 1080p is the lowest, with 1920 horizontal pixels and 1080 vertical. It is mainly used for monitors, TVs, and other devices, which is also referred to as FHD or Full HD. The main difference between the 1080p and 2K resolutions is their number of horizontal pixels, which is 2084 in 2K and 1920 in 1080p. This resolution is recommended for everyday use of media, balancing excellent quality and performance, not disappointing the viewers' satisfaction.

To conclude, the choice depends on your preferences and usage. Don’t forget that 4K excels in offering visual experience, while 2K resolution slays in balancing performance and visuals, making it suitable for gaming; as for 1080p, it is good for everyday media use.

How to Upscale Videos to 2K/4K Resolution with High Quality

Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of 2K resolution, and you have decided to enhance your 1080p video to 2K or 4K resolution for a better watching experience. To do it perfectly with no sweat, go for a tool like AnyRec Video Converter. This program works not just as an ordinary converter but also has toolkits inside its pockets to assist you in editing your videos, one of which is the Video Enhancer. Using this functionality based on advanced artificial intelligence, you can upscale video up to 2K and even 4K resolution. It can also remove dirt-like noises, reduce video shaky concerns, optimize brightness and contrast, and more.

AnyRec Video Converter Package
AnyRec Video Converter

One-click to upscale low-quality videos up to 2K/4K and higher resolutions.

Export the upscaled videos to any format, like MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, etc.

Built-in video editor with filters, effects, templates, and more functions.

Also improve the video quality by removing the noise and shakiness.

Free Download

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Free Download

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Step 1.Free download and launch AnyRec Video Converter, then head over to the "Toolbox" to discover all toolkits available; among them, click "Video Enhancer" to upscale a video in 1080p to 4K.

Anyrec Video Enhancer

Step 2.Afterward, import your low-quality video to the "Video Enhancer" window and click the "Upscale Resolution" button. Select the desired 2K resolution or higher, and click the "Enhance" button to save it.

Video Enhancer
Free Download

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Free Download

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FAQs about 2K Resolution

Conclusion

To sum it up, this entire post has discussed 2K resolution, covering what it is and how it differs from 4K, 1080p, and 1K resolutions. It provides a table that shows different resolutions that can be referred to as 2K, allowing you to have a better understanding of the said video resolution. Aside from that, it features the AnyRec Video Converter that can increase video quality to 2K/4K without losing any details. Also, this program holds so many editing functionalities that you’ll surely enjoy. Try it today!

Free Download

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Free Download

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