4K resolution (4096 x 2160), which greatly enhance the watching experience on big screens, is widely predicted to be the main development trend of video resolution. If you've got a 4K video from online, it would be nice to stream the ultra high-definition content on your 4K TV set.
4K makes more sense on a huge display however, if you want put those raw 4K files onto your multimedia players or some old/legacy devices (PC, smartphone, tablet, HD TV), they're not always friendly for its shortage of space occupation, bandwidth issue and hardware requirement. Sometimes, you will have to convert the 4K to a smaller resolution like 1080p, 720p with 4K converter for smooth playback.
File Size
Increased resolution in digital video increases the resulting file size of video. One of the most important aspects that you should take into account is that storage space in your device for 4K video. Depending on video frame ratio, codec, the video format it ends in, the file size of 4K raw video will vary. A single minute of uncompressed of 4K video clip is ranged from 500MB to 32GB and more, let alone a complete 4K movie file.
So in order to copy a complete 4K movie file onto a mainstream media device successfully for playback, you would need to use a 4K converter (Mac/ PC) to downscale 4K to a smaller resolution like 1080p, 720p that most of us use today to get a smaller and friendlier file size and bitrate.
Bandwidth
Another reason that you need to compress a 4K file with 4K video converter for Mac & Windows is bandwidth transmission. Since most of us don't have the massive bandwidth needed (15 MBPS or above) to stream 4K video, 4K content is currently limited to be distributed in streaming services online like Netflix. If you want to upload some of your 4K raw footage onto a website for sharing with fans, a better option is to shrink the resolution of raw file from 4K into 1080p.
Hardware
There is a growing number of 4K ultra HD TVs manufactured by LG, Sony, Samsung, Toshiba companies now available, and the film industry is also ready for 4K (and 8K) movie. However, there are still a large number of existing media players and devices can't process 4K resolution smoothly, nor does older computer with out-of-date graphics card and aged CPU. It's necessary to convert 4K to a more manageable resolution (1080p, 720p, 480p).
4K Video Converter for Mac & Windows
Whether you want to shrink a large space-hogging 4K file into a smaller portable device-friendly one, or downscale 4K resolution to 1080p, 720p to fit on a lower resolution screen, or convert a 4K video from one format to another, there are a great selection of 4K converters available for both Mac and Windows users.
Video Converter has been my favorite video converter for quite some time. It's a powerful 4K converter for Mac and Windows that handles all kinds of 4K resolution (4096 x 2160, 3840 x 2160) movies and re-compress to 1080p, 720p, and 480p files that work well on most of display screens, allowing for customization of your compression as well as direct conversion to many other popular formats.
Aside from converting 4K file, the software also gives you the ability to convert your digital videos like MP4, AVI, WMV, MOV, MPG, MKV to any format you need for use on iPhone, iPad, android tablets, smartphones, PS4, Xbox One, and other multimedia devices. Video editing enhance is supported, too.
4K conversion get started:
Stage 1 – Add 4K video files to the 4K converter
One thing I like about the software is its interface - clean, simple and easy to use. When you open this 4K converter on your Mac or Windows desktop, it gives you all the options that you will need on the screen: Add File, Edit, Profile, Settings, Destination, Convert.
To load 4K raw footage to the application, either press the "Add File" button at the top left-hand side of the screen or drag the 4K files into the main area with your mouse, and drop.
You can then preview the file in the preview window at the right side of the screen.
Stage 2 – Select the appropriate output format and resolution
You can then select your output profile manually, or use some of the pre-built presets available in the "Profile" drop-down menu to automatically convert your 4K video for use on several devices.
When it comes to the output format choosing, check the drop-down menu "Profile" at the lower left side of the screen and select any available format option in the panel.
To end up with a high-quality 1080p or 720p result, you'd better focus on "HD Video" category in the left pane.
Next, click the "Settings" button next to "Profile" to enter profile settings window. To make your 4K movies played on device smoothly, you would need to downscale the resolution from 4K to 1080p or 720p in "Resolution" box. 720p and 1080p are actually both high definition video display resolution.
Note that a raw 4K video is around four times larger than a 1080p full HD video, and six times larger than a 720p file, converting a 4K video into 1080p or 720p will result in some loss of image quality.
While more experienced users are allowed to tinker with other output settings including codec, bitrate, frame rate, aspect ratio, etc., inexperienced users can simply leave them alone and go on for the next step.
The 4K converter for Mac and Windows also comes with a lot preset profiles grouped under headings: Apple iPhone, Apple iPad, Android, Samsung, Mobile Phone, Windows, Streaming video, Interlaced, Game hardware and much more. If needed, click the group name to reveal its associated presets, this will help you convert/tailor 4K video and other digital video to the correct resolution for the screen size of your device.
Edit 4K
The 4K converter allows you to perform basic editing on video. you can trim a video file to a specified length by set the appropriate start and end time, and crop to remove black bars on the edge, you can even add special effects, put text/ image watermark, and 3D effects.
You can also use the professional Video editing/compositing software out there to editing 4K raw file and apply heavy effects: Sony Vegas Pro 13, Adobe Premiere Pro, CyberLink PowerDirector 12 Ultra, Sony Movie Studio 13 Platinum, Apple Final Cut Pro X2, Corel VideoStudio Pro X7, Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 17.5 and AVID Media Composer.
Stage 3 – Start converting 4K videos on Mac & PC
Before converting 4K files, using the "Browse" field next to the "Destination" section at the lower left side of the screen to store the resulting output files somewhere on your computer.
When everything you've set up, simply press the blue "Convert" button at the lower right corner of the main interface to start compressing the 4K video file on your Mac and PC machine. It will take sometime while the 4K converter compresses and saves the video file.
After the 4K conversion is finished, you're ready to play your new created 1080p or 720p video file anywhere and anytime.
