Video bandwidth calculator
Will 4K60 at 10-bit fit through that extender? Work out the uncompressed data rate and compare it with HDMI and SDI.
Active picture data rate
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Smallest HDMI version that fits*
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Smallest SDI standard that fits*
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*A quick check against usable link capacity. Real formats also need blanking time and line coding, and SDI carries only specific standard formats (usually 4:2:2), so confirm against the equipment's supported format list.
Link capacities used
| Link | Raw rate | Usable for video (approx.) |
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Figures are the published link rates; usable capacity is approximate after line coding.
How it works
data rate = width × height × frame rate × bit depth × samples per pixel
samples per pixel: 4:4:4 = 3, 4:2:2 = 2, 4:2:0 = 1.5
samples per pixel: 4:4:4 = 3, 4:2:2 = 2, 4:2:0 = 1.5
1080p60 in 8-bit RGB is about 3.0 Gbps of picture. 4K60 in 8-bit RGB is four times that, about 11.9 Gbps, which is why it needs HDMI 2.0 and 12G-SDI. Chroma subsampling trims the color information: 4:2:2 is two-thirds the data of 4:4:4, and 4:2:0 is half.
Field notes
- Extenders have their own limits. Many HDBaseT extenders top out around 10 Gbps and pass 4K60 only at 4:2:0. Check the extender's spec sheet for the exact formats it carries.
- 4:2:0 is fine for video, not for text. Spreadsheets and small fonts get colored fringes. Presentation sources look best at 4:4:4.
- HDR usually means 10-bit, which adds 25% over 8-bit and can tip a signal past what a cable or extender handles.
- Compressed AV-over-IP (and streaming) is a different calculation: codecs cut these rates by 10 to 100 times or more.