What are Video Resolutions?

What is a video resolution?

Video resolution  is a measure of video quality that tells you how many pixels a video frame contains. It indicates the level of clarity and detail you can expect when watching a video on a particular screen. Other factors, such as frame rate (the number of frames displayed per second), aspect ratio (the proportional relationship between a video’s width and height), and bitrate (the amount of data processed per second), also play critical roles in shaping the sharpness, smoothness, and overall viewing experience.

How video resolution, color depth, and frame rate impact quality

While the resolution of a video determines the sharpness and detail of visuals, color depth enhances realism by providing a richer range of colors, and frame rate ensures smooth and natural motion.

Pixels or ‘picture elements’ are the smallest digital graphical unit that monitors or screens can display. Simply put, higher video resolutions with more pixels deliver sharper and more lifelike visuals, while lower resolutions with less pixels are more practical for limited bandwidth or smaller screens.

Color depth is another video metric. It indicates  the range of colors available for a single pixel. Color depths, measured in bits, are often between 24 and 36 bits per pixel.

Besides pixel color depth, frame rate can significantly impact video quality. The frame rate of a video file is the number of individual images displayed in a second. Most videos are at least 24 frames per second (FPS), with the standard being 30 FPS. Sports and livestreams with a lot of motion may require 60 FPS to appear smooth.

Understanding video bitrate and video compression

A video’s bitrate—a measure of the amount of data within a single second of video—is largely determined by its resolution, frame rate, and bits per pixels. As mentioned before, bits per pixel or color depth is the amount of data for a single pixel. There is usually a higher average bits per pixel for video content with a lot of motion.

With most everyone having upload bandwidth constraints, there are limits to the bitrates you can stream at as well. That’s why video compressors, which reduce the file size and bitrate of videos, are crucial for livestreaming. Newer codecs like H.264 and H.265 can efficiently reduce the bitrate of video files without impacting their perceived quality.

It’s important that broadcasters consider the bitrates they want to stream at before they decide on a resolution for recording video content. That’s because higher resolutions can be scaled down using cloud transcoding, but there’s no gain in quality trying to scale up a low-resolution file. Most broadcasters, therefore, choose 1080p 30 FPS for livestreaming, which usually requires a bitrate between 3000-6000 kbps.

Types of video resolutions: SD, HD, & More

When planning a livestream or video project, understanding the common types of video resolutions will help you understand how each impacts video quality. Video resolution fits into categories like Standard Definition (SD) or High Definition (HD), and each serves specific use cases.:

Standard Definition (SD)

High Definition (HD)

Ultra High Definition (UHD)

Other types of  video resolutions

Please note that the resolutions listed above, marked with a “p,” indicate progressive scanning, where each line of a video frame is displayed sequentially for a smoother and clearer image. In contrast, interlaced scanning (commonly denoted with an “i” ) doubles the perceived frame rate by displaying alternating sets of lines in each frame, which can result in less sharp visuals during fast motion.

What’s the best video resolution for live streaming?

Recording video content in 1080p (Full HD) is the baseline for professional-quality livestreaming. This resolution provides excellent clarity and detail, making it suitable for most use cases, including worship services, conferences, and multisite streaming. For higher-end setups or when future-proofing is a priority, 4K (UHD) is recommended because it can deliver stunning image quality on large screens and for high-production events. When choosing a camera for livestreaming, it’s also important to consider additional features like frame rate options (30fps or 60fps for smooth motion), reliable outputs (e.g., SDI or HDMI), and compatibility with your existing livestreaming hardware or encoder.

Resi makes it easy to set up live and on-demand video streams that are high quality and resilient. In fact, Resi even enables 1080p simulcasting to YouTube and Facebook without any additional bandwidth at the broadcast site. With Resi’s streaming technologies, you can achieve the highest quality video stream possible without worrying about interruptions from network outages.