Standard Density (SD) and High Density (HD) Film Resolution

Digital film is fast becoming the norm for Hollywood movies, television shows and commercials, especially for those that utilize computer graphics (such as Lord of the Rings, Matrix, iRobot, and others heavy on special effects). Feature film and video revolve around two fundamental formats: Standard Density (SD) and High Density (HD). SD plays back at 2K resolution, while HD plays back at 4K resolution. Following are resolution details related to SD and HD formats: 

Resolution: 

• 2K =  2048 x 1556 pixels 
• 4K =  4096 x 3112 pixels 

Average size of a single frame of video (where 1 second 
consists of 24 frames for movies or 30 frames for television): 

• 2K = 13MB
• 4K = 50MB

Average size of a complete feature film (measured in "terabytes" where 1TB = 1,000GB = 1,000,000MB = ONE TRILLION BYTES)

• 2K = 2TB 
• 4K = 8TB

Data generated as work product for a feature film (measured in "terabytes" where 1TB = 1,000GB = 1,000,000MB = ONE TRILLION BYTES):

• 2K = 10 to 100 TB 
• 4K = 40 to 400 TB 

Average bandwidth to play back a feature film in real time (uncompressed digital video):

• 2K = 300MB/second 
• 4K = 1.2GB/second 

Average bandwidth to play back a feature film in real time (compressed digital video):

• 2K = 21 to 42 MB/second 
• 4K = 100 to 250 MB/second 

Storage required for 1 hour of uncompressed video:

• 2K = 75 to 150 GB
• 4K = 360 to 900 GB

Amount of active data managed by a large digital intermediate facility:

• 200TB

Number of 2GB/second Fibre Chanel host bus adapters (HBAs) required for real time film playback (uncompressed):

• 2K = 2 HBAs
• 4K = 6-8 HBAs

Number of 2GB/second host bus adapters (HBAs) required for real time film playback (compressed):

• 2K = 1 HBAs
• 4K = 1-2 HBAs

SOURCE: "Breaking Barriers. EFilm enlists storage area networks and low-cost disk storage in its quest to redefine the state of the art of digital mastering" by Michele Hope. COMPUTER GRAPHICS WORLD, SEPTEMBER 2004. http://www.cgw.com