4K Video Delivery

What is 4K Video Delivery?

4K video delivery is the process of getting a film finished at 4K resolution, usually UHD 3840x2160 or DCI 4096x2160, to a client so they can watch it smoothly and keep the full-resolution file. It raises the same questions as any delivery, but at four times the pixel count of 1080p, which makes file size, codec choice and playback much more demanding.

Why it matters

Many filmmakers shoot and finish in 4K, and clients increasingly expect it, especially for weddings, brand films and real estate. But the 4K advantage is easy to lose in delivery. Cloud drive previews often downscale to 720p or 1080p, some hosting and gallery tools cap resolution, and some services re-encode downloads. A client who only ever sees a soft preview may never realize there was a 4K master behind it.

How it works

The main variables in 4K delivery are:

• Resolution. UHD (3840x2160) is the consumer and web standard; DCI 4K (4096x2160) is common in cinema workflows.

• Codec. H.264 is the most compatible for client files. H.265/HEVC delivers similar quality at roughly half the bitrate and supports 10-bit color, but older devices may not play it. ProRes is an editing and mastering codec with very large files.

• Bitrate and size. A 4K H.264 delivery file is often 50 to 100 Mbps, about 0.4 to 0.75 GB per minute. A 10-minute film is therefore 4 to 8 GB in H.264, and 50 GB or more in ProRes 422 HQ.

• Streaming. Watching 4K online needs roughly 15 to 25 Mbps of bandwidth. Adaptive streaming lets viewers on slower connections drop to a lower rendition without stopping.

• Color and HDR. 10-bit and HDR masters need compatible screens and players. Many filmmakers deliver an SDR version as the main file for compatibility.

Practical tips: export with faststart enabled, upload from a wired connection, and include a 1080p version for clients who will mostly watch on phones or post to social media.

Common ways to deliver 4K

Transfer services such as WeTransfer move a 4K file quickly but give the client nothing to watch first, and links expire. Cloud drives like Dropbox or Google Drive store the file well but stream a reduced-quality preview. Vimeo and YouTube stream 4K well but are not designed to hand over the untouched master. Hard drives or USB sticks remain an option for very large deliveries or keepsake packages. Delivery platforms aim to stream 4K in the browser while keeping the original available to download.

Does DLVRD support 4K video delivery?

Yes. DLVRD supports 4K delivery: you upload the 4K export, the client streams it in their browser through adaptive playback copies, and the download button gives them your original file unchanged.