Distributing 4K and UHD Signals

in Professional AV Environments
Table of Contents

Abstract

Introduction to 4K Technology.....................................2

As 4K sources and displays become

4K Video Resolutions...........................................2
Data Rates for 4K and UHD Video Signals.............2
Effect of Chroma Subsampling on Video Quality....3
Bandwidth Capabilities of Current
Digital Video Formats..........................................3
HDMI..................................................................3
DisplayPort.........................................................4
3G-SDI...............................................................4
System Design and Integration Challenges..................4

popular for more applications, the next

challenge facing system designers and
integrators is developing systems that
fully support 4K video signals. This paper
provides an introduction to the technology
and standards, explores the design
challenges, and offers practical solutions

Supporting Multiple Resolutions...........................4

for incorporating 4K video into an AV

4K vs. UHD.........................................................5

system design.

Extending 4K and UHD Signals

over Long Distances............................................5
One Cable/Pathway.............................................5
Two Cables/Pathways..........................................6
Four Cables/Pathways.........................................6
4K Sources and Displays.....................................7
Extron Training...........................................................7
Extron 4K Solutions....................................................9
Conclusion................................................................9

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Introduction to 4K Technology
4K Video Resolutions
Several years ago, 4K display systems were introduced to support high end applications
like digital cinema, advanced visualization in scientific research and medical imaging,
and immersive environments from military simulation to themed attractions. Now that
4Kdisplays and sources are available in more form factors and at lower price points,
the benefits of the higher resolution and greater pixel density offered by 4K is desired in
more traditional AV installations. 4K technology is now being deployed in a broad range
of locations, from executive briefing centers to lecture halls, digital signage displays,
and even in the home.
In response to these needs, manufacturers are introducing an increasing number of
displays and projectors that provide 4K resolutions up to 4096x2160 and Ultra High
Definition - UHD resolutions up to 3840x2160. These higher resolutions provide four
times the number of pixels of 1080p full HD as shown in Figure 1.
2K
2048 x 1080

HD 1080
1920 x 1080

4K DCI
4096 x 2160

WQXGA
2560 x 1600
4K UHD
3840 x 2160

QXGA
2048 x 1536

4:3

16:9

16:10

17:9

Figure 1: Video resolutions from 1080p through 4K

Data Rates for 4K and UHD Video Signals

The primary factors that affect the bandwidth required for a video signal are the
resolution, frame rate, color bit depth, and chroma subsampling. As can be seen in
Figure 1, UHD video is four times the resolution of a full HD 1080p signal and has four
times the number of pixels within each frame. Moving this amount of data requires
significant bandwidth as shown in Table 1. A 4K video signal with a full 60 Hz frame
rate, 4:4:4 chroma subsampling, and 10-bit color requires a data rate of 22.28 Gbps.

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Bandwidth Required for Video Signals
Resolution

Frame rate

Chroma Subsampling

Pixel Clock

8-bit color

10-bit color

720p / 1080i

60 Hz

4:4:4

74.25 MHz

2.23 Gbps

2.78 Gbps

1080p / 2K

60 Hz

4:4:4

148.5 MHz

4.46 Gbps

5.57 Gbps

4K / UHD

30 Hz

4:4:4

297.00 MHz

8.91 Gbps

11.14 Gbps

4K / UHD

60 Hz

4:2:0

594.00 MHz

8.91 Gbps1

11.14 Gbps

4K / UHD

60 Hz

4:4:4

594.00 MHz

17.82 Gbps

22.28 Gbps

1. 4:2:0 color sampling support was added to HDMI 2.0. It is not supported in previous versions of the HDMI specification.
Table 1: Bandwidth requirements for 4K and UHD video signals

Effect of Chroma Subsampling on Video Quality

The impact on the quality of the video due to a reduced chroma subsampling depends
on the type of video. The human visual system is more sensitive to brightness than color,
such that the reduction in video quality of a Blu-ray movie may be imperceptible. For
computer video, the reduction in quality becomes particularly evident. Computer imagery,
such as computer-aided design drawings or maps, frequently has single-pixel line
widths or transitions. Reduced chroma subsampling causes this fine pixel and line detail
to blur or disappear. It is important to keep this in mind when designing a 4K system and
select a transmission scheme that does not impact the quality of the displayed images.

Bandwidth Capabilities of Current Digital Video Signal Formats

In 2005, the Digital Cinema Initiatives DCI established a standard resolution of
4096x2160 for 4K digital cinema projectors, which is referred to as 4K DCI. This
resolution maintains the same 17:9 aspect ratio as the 2K DCI resolution of 2048x1080.
Projectors supporting 4K DCI were some of the first 4K display systems to appear on
the market. The television industry adopted the Ultra High Definition UHD resolution of
3840x2160, which maintains the same 16:9 aspect ratio of 1080p HD video.
HDMI
The HDMI 1.4a specification, released in 2009, specifies a maximum data rate of
10.2Gbps. It can support 4K or UHD resolutions with 8-bit color at 24Hz, 25Hz, or
30Hz frame rates over a single HDMI cable. Reducing chroma subsampling to 4:2:0
for a UHD 60Hz signal appears to produce a bandwidth that falls within the limits of
HDMI1.4a. However, the specification does not include support for 4:2:0 color sampling.
The HDMI 2.0 specification, released in September 2013, increases the data rate to
18.0 Gbps for a 60Hz maximum 4K/UHD frame rate over a single HDMI cable at 8-bit
color or up to 30Hz at 10-bit color. HDMI 2.0 also adds support for 4:2:0 color sampling.
The luminance, Y of a YCbCr signal, with 4:2:0 color sampling is divided among two
TMDS channels, and the chrominance, Cb and Cr, signals are combined onto a single
TMDS channel. This enables a UHD 4:2:0 signal with a 60Hz frame rate to be sent at
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the same data rate as a 30Hz UHD 4:4:4 signal. However, both the source and the
display must support this mode of operation in order for the signal to pass successfully.
DisplayPort
DisplayPort data rates are also increasing to improve support for 4K video at a 60Hz
frame rate. With a 10.8Gbps data rate, DisplayPort 1.1a supports an 8-bit UHD signal
at a 30Hz frame rate over a single cable. In 2009, DisplayPort1.2 doubled the data
rate to 21.6Gbps, enabling a 10-bit 60Hz UHD signal with 4:4:4 chroma subsampling
over a single cable. This level of performance demonstrates that DisplayPort1.2 is well
suited for 4K applications that require high frame rates, accurate color rendition, and the
ability to show a very high level of image detail.
3G-SDI
The limited bandwidth of 3G-SDI does not enable a single cable solution for transmitting
4K or UHD video. With a maximum 2.97Gbps data rate, multiple lanes are required
based on current standards. Some manufacturers are beginning to offer SDI products
that operate at 6 or 12 Gbps. However, formal SMPTE standards supporting these
data rates are still pending. The capabilities to carry 4K/UHD signals using the various
transport standards are summarized in Table 2.

System Design and Integration Challenges

Supporting Multiple Resolutions
Based on the applications and desired functionality specified by technology users, it is
very common to have multiple destinations in a system. This could be multiple monitors,
streaming encoders, video processors, recording devices, or connections to an additional
signal distribution system. When this occurs, care must be taken in order to address the
Table 2: Bandwidth capabilities of HDMI, DisplayPort, and 3G-SDI

resolutions that are supported by such a wide range of destination devices.

Bandwidth Capabilities of Current Digital Video Formats

Standard

Bandwidth

Color Sampling

HDMI 1.4a

10.2 Gbps

4:4:4

UHD @ 30 Hz

UHD @ 60 Hz

1 cable, 8-bit

2 cables, 8-bit

4 cables, 10-bit

4 cables, 10-bit
1 cable, 8-bit

HDMI 2.0

18.0 Gbps

4:4:4

1 cable, 10-bit
2 cables, 10-bit

HDMI 2.0

18.0 Gbps

4:2:0

n/a

DisplayPort 1.1a

10.8 Gbps

4:4:4

1 cable, 8-bit

1 cable, 10-bit
2 cables, 8-bit
4 cables, 10-bit

DisplayPort 1.2

21.6 Gbps

4:4:4

1 cable, 10-bit

1 cable, 10-bit

HD-SDI

1.485 Gbps

4:2:2

4 cables, 10-bit

n/a

3G-SDI

2.97 Gbps

4:2:2

n/a

4 cables, 10-bit

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Historically, it was relatively easy to deploy systems designed around 720p, 1080i, or
1080p resolutions. The aspect ratio control and scaling between these resolutions did
not require extensive up or down conversion. With the introduction of 4K and UHD video
into todays system designs, a certain level of care must be exercised in order to ensure
that all signals can be successfully routed to all destinations.
These variations in resolution can be traced to differences between broadcast and
cinema applications. Broadcast environments were typically based on a signal with
1920x1080 pixels. This led to the term Full HD when referring to a progressive scanned,
or 1080p, signal. Digital cinema applications on the other hand were based on signals
with 2048x1080 active pixels. This is referred to as a 2K video signal.
4K vs. UHD
With the introduction of 4K video into the vernacular of end-users, care must be taken
to understand which version of video they are actually requesting. References to quad
HD, UHD, or even 2160p are likely indicative of the resolution achieved by using four
1080p quadrants to achieve an overall resolution of 3840x2160. The cinematic-based
variation is four quadrants of 2K which equates to an overall resolution of 4096x2160.
The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers - SMPTE has stepped in to clarify
things a little by using UHDTV1 to represent a signal with at least 3840x2160 active
pixels and UHDTV2 to indicate 7680x4320. This is the 8K resolution that is currently
in the research and development stages, including plans to record the 2014 Winter
Olympics in Sochi using 8K technology.
These differences between 4K and UHD could lead to aspect ratio challenges as well as
impact to the EDID management scheme for the overall system.

Extending 4K and UHD Signals over Long Distances

In order to extend, switch, matrix, or otherwise distribute a 4K/UHD signal, System
Designers must consider the sources, destinations, and distances involved. For
intermediate distances, 100meters (328feet) or less, twisted pair distribution is an easy
and economical option. When longer distances are involved, fiber optics or streaming
technologies are available. Depending on the products selected, there are essentially
three distribution topologies that could be applied. These include One Cable/Pathway,
Two Cables/Pathways, and Four Cables/Pathways.
One Cable/Pathway
To use a single cable or pathway, the design solution must be compatible with a
3840x2160 or a 4096x2160 video signal. Due to the bandwidth limitations of readily
available transport schemes, the frame rate and/or color encoding must be reduced. If
extended color gamut or high frame rates are not a design criteria for the system, this
might be the most desirable method. These limitations wont be addressed by recently

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ratified standards such as HDMI 2.0 or similar until integrated circuit IC manufacturers
release new chipsets into the supply chain.

3840

2160

Two Cables/Pathways
The dual cable/pathway solution is an interesting option that allows for higher frame
rates, such as 60 Hz, and increased color depth. However, finding sources and
destinations that are compatible with this unique resolution can be challenging. In order
to support this method of distribution, all products in the signal chain must be able to
pass either a 1920x2160 or a 2048x2160 signal. Two of these signals, basically left
and right halves, are then integrated together by the display to create a 4K/UHD image.

3840
1920

Path 1
(1920x2160)

Path 2
(1920x2160)

2160

1920

Four Cables/Pathways
The most common method for supporting 4K/UHD video with high frame rates
in professional AV systems involves the use of four parallel signals. By using four
1920x1080 or 2048x1080 signals, the overall 4K/UHD signal is handled in quadrants.
This allows for frame rates of 60 Hz or greater while still maintaining excellent color
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depth. In broadcast applications, this is the dominant method of signal distribution due
to the fixed raster size of SDI signals. When using this method, the timing between the
paths becomes important. Distribution and processing devices must be able to maintain
a level of synchronization that prevents image artifacts from occurring when the four
quadrants are composited together by the destination device.

3840
1920

Path 1
(1920x1080)

Path 2
(1920x1080)

Path 3
(1920x1080)

Path 4
(1920x1080)

1080

1920

2160
1080

4K Sources and Displays

The available sources and displays capable of 4K or UHD video are growing at a
remarkable pace. They use a variety of signal formats and connectivity. Consumer
grade 4K televisions typically support a single HDMI 1.4a connector to provide UHD
3840x2160 resolution at 30Hz or 4K 4096x2160 at 24Hz, limited to 8-bit color depth.
In professional 4K AV systems, the display should be chosen to match the needs of the
application. The requirements for the system may fall within the HDMI1.4a capabilities,
enabling a single wire solution. More demanding applications, such as medical imaging
or simulation displays, require deep color and higher frame rates. Professional grade
media players, displays, and projectors overcome the limitation of HDMI 1.4a by
combining two or four DisplayPort, HDMI/DVI, or 3G-SDI signals to achieve deep-color
UHD and 4K resolutions running at a full 60 Hz frame rate. Additionally, they often
provide upscaling of 1080p signals to 4K resolutions. Table 3 summarizes the methods
used by manufacturers to deliver 4K and UHD content with deep color and 60Hz frame
rates. In addition to solutions and support, Extron is ready with training to help you
implement 4K systems using the appropriate methodology for todays applications.

Extron Training
Extron Institute is available to provide training to AV professionals that are faced with
design and integration challenges in an ever-changing technology landscape. The School
of Emerging Technologies is constantly evolving to address these trends. Coursework

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Connections

Resolutions

Color Sampling

Color Depth Support

Available Products

1 x HDMI 2.0

1 x 4096x2160 @ 60 Hz

4:4:4

8-bit color

Consumer grade 4K flat panel televisions.

1 x 3840x2160 @ 60 Hz
1 x HDMI 2.0

1 x 4096x2160 @ 60 Hz

More displays and sources expected to be

released.
4:2:0

10-bit color

No available devices at the time of this writing.

4:4:4

8-bit color

Apple Macbook Pro

1 x 3840x2160 @ 60 Hz
1 x HDMI 1.4a

1 x 4096x2160 @ 30 Hz

1 x DisplayPort 1.1a

1 x 3840x2160 @ 30 Hz

Computer Graphics Cards

Professional grade 4K Flat Panel Displays from
multiple manufacturers
Consumer grade 4K Flat Panel Televisions

1 x DisplayPort 1.2

1 x 3840x2160 @ 60 Hz

4:4:4

10-bit color

1 x 4096x2160 @ 60 Hz

Computer Graphics Cards

Professional grade 4K Flat Panel Displays from
multiple manufacturers
Displays from multiple manufacturers
Professional grade 4K Projectors from multiple
manufacturers

4 x HDMI 1.4a

4 x 1920x1080 @ 60 Hz

4 x DVI

4 x 2048x2160 @ 60 Hz

4:4:4

10-bit color

REDRAY Media Player

Computer Graphics Cards
Professional grade 4K Flat Panel Displays from
multiple manufacturers

4 x DisplayPort 1.1a

Professional grade 4K Projectors from multiple

manufacturers
4 x 3G-SDI

4 x 1920x1080 @ 60 Hz

4:2:2

10-bit color

4 x 2048x1080 @ 60 Hz

Broadcast equipment
Professional grade 4K Flat Panel Displays from
multiple manufacturers
Professional grade 4K Projectors from multiple
manufacturers

2 x DisplayPort 1.1a

2 x 1920x2160 @ 60 Hz

2 x HDMI 1.4a

2 x 2048x2160 @ 60 Hz

4:4:4

8-bit color

Computer Graphics Cards

Professional grade 4K Flat Panel Displays from
multiple manufacturers
Professional grade 4K Projectors from multiple
manufacturers

Table 3: Methods for displaying 4K signals at various frame rates and

color depths

now incorporates extensive instruction on 4K and UHD technologies. Updated materials

address increased resolution demands, extended color bit-depth, frame rates, dynamic
range, and the impact these have on the data rate and infrastructure components.
In addition to instructor-led training, demonstrations and hands-on experience with
4K solutions allow attendees to reinforce their understanding of design concepts and
techniques required to support these emerging technologies.
Training is offered worldwide at Extron offices and other locations through the Extron
Institute On The Road - EIOTR program. To learn more about courses available through
Extron Institute, please contact your Extron Customer Support Representative.

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Extron 4K Solutions
Extron 4K video solutions provide high-performance signal extension, routing, and
distribution for 4K and UHD digital video signals. The wide variety of 4K ready product
solutions include videowall processors, streaming encoders and decoders, media
players, and fiber optic and twisted pair signal distribution products. Extron 4K solutions
support an extensive list of displays and do not limit your designs to a short list of
certified displays.
Support extensive range of displays, projectors, and sources from a wide variety
of manufacturers
Support for 4K and UHD video at a full 60 Hz frame rate
Extend, switch, and distribute 4K and UHD video over CATx cabling up to
330feet (100meters)
Extend, switch, and distribute 4K and UHD video over fiber optic cabling up to
30km (18.75miles)
XTP DTP 24 cable achieves full transmission distance up to 330feet
(100meters) at 4K and UHD resolutions without cable length restrictions
Key Minder continuously verifies HDCP compliance for quick, reliable switching
EDID Minder automatically manages EDID communication between
connected devices
SpeedSwitch Technology provides exceptional switching speed for
HDCP-encrypted content
Scalable HDCP-compliant videowall processors are optimized for use with 4K
displays, windowing large numbers of standard definition, high definition, and
UHD sources across displays with resolutions up to 3840x2160 or greater
Stream 4K material with low latency and visually lossless quality
Media players for playback of film and video productions prepared for Ultra HD
3840x2160 and Digital Cinema 4K resolution 4096x2160 displays
For assistance designing your 4K system, please contact your local Extron Customer
Support representative. An Extron Applications Engineer will be assigned to your project
and will work with you to ensure your complete satisfaction.

Conclusion
Driven by the need for higher resolutions in simulation, defense, medical, themed
attractions, digital cinema, and other environments, the introduction of new source
equipment and display devices intended for 4K/UHD video is outpacing standards
development. Since there is no connectivity standard for 4K/UHD signals, the transport
method, frame rates, and color encoding scheme dictate the required number of
connections. Looking beyond the physical connections, other factors include pixel
clocks, data rates, active pixel counts, sampling schemes, and more.

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By increasing your knowledge of the technology and understanding as the governing
bodies of the AV industry establish and evolve the standards, you will be able to design
and deploy open architecture systems that do not reduce your design options to a single
distribution scheme. A certificate without standards is not an assurance of building
successful systems.
This white paper can be your first step toward being an expert on these emerging
technologies. Understanding product capabilities while becoming educated on the
technology is the best practice to ensure that your systems meet the rigorous demands
of a 4K or UHD application.

Extron Electronics, headquartered in Anaheim, CA, is a leading manufacturer of professional AV system integration products. Extron products are used to integrate video and audio
into presentation systems in a wide variety of locations, including classrooms and auditoriums in schools and colleges, corporate boardrooms, houses of worship, command-andcontrol centers, sports stadiums, airports, broadcast studios, restaurants, malls, and museums.
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