Resolution, aspect ratio, frame rate and color space
There are a number of different standards for broadcast and cinema that will affect both from cinematography standpoint but also use of equipment and cost for production and post-production. In the pre-production phase, you have to decide the type of deliverables you would like to have.
This is some examples for broadcast formats and cinema formats and their minimum equipment requirements.
HD (broadcast format)
To be used for interviews, reportage and documentaries.
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 1080p
Frame rate: 25 or 50 fps (Europe)
Color space: REC 709, 4:2:0 (8-bit)
Preferred codec: XAVC-S
Sound: Stereo
Minimum budget camera equipment: Sony CX900
Minimum budget sound equipment: Internal recording in camera + Zoom H6
4K (Broadcast format)
To be used for interviews, reportage and documentaries.
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 2180p
Frame rate: 25 or 50 fps (Europe)
Color space: REC 709, 4:2:0 (8-bit)
Preferred codec: XAVC-I
Sound: stereo
Minimum budget camera equipment: Sony AX100
Minimum budget sound equipment: Internal recording in camera + Zoom F6
UHD (Broadcast format)
To be used for interviews, reportage and documentaries.
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 2180p
Frame rate: 25, 50 or 100 fps (Europe)
Color space: REC 2020, 4:2:2 (10-bit)
Preferred codec: XAVC-I
Sound: Stereo or Dolby 5.1
Minimum camera equipment: Sony FS7
Minimum sound equipment: Internal recording in camera + Zoom F8
HDTV 2K (cinema format)
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 1080p
Frame rate: 24 or 25 fps (Europe)
Color space: REC 2020, 4:2:2 (10-bit)
Color profile: SLOG2 or equivalent profile
Preferred codec: XAVC-S
Sound: Dolby 5.1
Minimum camera equipment: Sony FS5 or Sony A6300 with external recorder
Minimum sound equipment: Zoom F8
HDTV 4K (Cinema format)
To be used for short stories, series and features
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 2180p
Frame rate: 24 or 25 fps (Europe)
Color space: REC 2020, 4:2:2 (10-bit)
Color profile: SLOG3 or equivalent profile
Preferred codec: XAVC-I
Sound: Dolby 5.1
Minimum camera equipment: Sony FS7 or Sony FS5 with external recorder
Minimum sound equipment: Zoom F8
Broadcast standards
- SD (DVD) - 720x480, 4:3, REC 709 (4:2:0) and 25, 30 fps
- HD (Blue-ray) - 1920x1080, 16:9, REC 709 (4:2:0) and 24, 25, 30 fps
- 4K - 3840x2180, 16:9, REC 709 (4:2:0) and 24, 25, 30, 50, 60 fps
- UHD - 3840x2180, 16:9, REC 2020 (4:2:2) and 24, 25, 30, 50, 60, 100, 120 fps
Digital cinema standards
- HDTV 2K - 1920x1080, 16:9, DCI/P3 (4:2:2) and 24,25, 30, 48, 50, 60 fps
- HDTV 4K - 3840x2180, 16:9, DCI/P3 (4:2:2) and 24, 25, 30, fps
- SCOPE 2K -2048x 852, 2,39:1, DCI/P3, (4:2:2) 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, and 60 fps
- SCOPE 4K - 4096×1716, 2,39:1, DCI/P3, (4:2:2) 24, 25, 30, fps