4K (2160p) at 120 fps with H.265 (HEVC): What You Need to Know
If you are capturing 4K (Ultra HD / 2160p) video at 120 fps and encoding with H.265 (HEVC), you need to know exactly how much disk space and network bandwidth your workflow requires.
4K Ultra HD delivers four times the pixel count of 1080p, producing stunningly detailed footage. It has become the standard for professional production and is increasingly expected by audiences on large screens and smart TVs. This resolution is particularly favored by professional filmmakers and cinematographers.
Recording at 120fps is primarily used for creating smooth slow-motion effects. When played back at 30fps, you get a beautiful 4× slow-motion effect that reveals details invisible to the naked eye.
The H.265 (HEVC) codec offers approximately 40% better compression than H.264 at equivalent visual quality. HEVC cuts file sizes by nearly half compared to H.264, making it the go-to codec for 4K workflows. Hardware decoding support is now widespread on modern GPUs, smartphones, and smart TVs.
With these settings, a 10-minute clip weighs approximately 5.88 GB, while a full hour reaches 35.26 GB. You will need a minimum upload speed of 126.2 Mbps for reliable streaming. The total video bitrate for this configuration is 84.0 Mbps.