# When would I need a 4K live streaming encoder? **URL:** \ **Category:** Knowledge\ **Created:** [March 30, 2023, 10:52pm UTC](https://community.bitmovin.com/t/when-would-i-need-a-4k-live-streaming-encoder/1882 "2023-03-30T22:52:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Adrian](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.bitmovin.com/adrian/32/122_2.png) [@Adrian](https://community.bitmovin.com/u/Adrian)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2023, 10:52pm UTC](https://community.bitmovin.com/t/when-would-i-need-a-4k-live-streaming-encoder/1882/1 "2023-03-30T22:52:14Z")
4K streaming (and even 8K) comes into play on the other end of the spectrum. Content distributors prioritising ultra-high-definition video will need an HD live streaming encoder capable of producing source streams with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. While sharper than 1080p, these high-bitrate streams are resource-intensive and costly to distribute. For that reason, you’ll want to be sure that 4K UHD is a business need and not a nice-to-have that lacks any real ROI. Beyond your 4K live streaming encoder, you’ll also need a 4K camera or higher, a transcoding service capable of ingesting and egressing 4K video, and a [HTML5 player](https://bitmovin.com/demos/4k) that supports 4K playback. Your viewers will also need 4K playback devices to benefit from these efforts. Finally, both broadcasters and end-users will require high-speed internet for these types of streams. But back to the question at hand: What types of broadcasts warrant 4K HD video? We can’t provide clear-cut criteria. In general, though, the following video streams are best suited for 4K encoding: - High-production value content like live sports events - Immersive experiences like virtual reality (VR) and gaming - Cinematic content for over-the-top (OTT) distribution _Check out our_ [_4K streaming customer spotlight on the Brazilian broadcaster Globo_](https://bitmovin.com/customer-showcase/globo/)_._