Feature:
Add 4K to the Video Quality - Home Streaming and Remote Streaming sections for 4K players.
Additionally add it to Server Settings - Remote Access - Limit Remote Stream Bitrate.
This essentially adds 4K to 4K transcoding capabilities to the current mix.
Premise:
There currently exists more than ten quality settings to choose from. These range from SD to FHD. 4K media (both 8bit and 10bit) and TVs have gained a lot of ground in recent years. Additionally the increased availability of cheaper server hardware that can enc/dec them and improved native player hardware capabilities, it makes sense to add quality options for 4K.
Purpose:
The same reason why the other quality settings are there - allowing bandwidth control for both the streamer and server admin.
Examples:
1080P - 20mbps - Currently ends here
4K - 30mpbs
4K HDR - 40 mbps
These are just baseless examples. The rates can be optimized accordingly.
Considerations:
4K to 4K transcodes will bring its own complications.
HEVC to HEVC is not available yet in the transcoder. My understanding is that this is being worked on.
HEVC to H.264 transcoding is already available. Might be challenging to maintain a good video quality with lower bitrates. HDR will be lost from going down to 8 bit from 10 bit.
4K Players must be aware of its capablities and only they present the option for 4K quality.
Frankly, I’d be happy with any implementation of it. Just like how 1080 - 20 mbps quality option had to come about with the prevalence of FHD media and increase of high bitrate media, I think the time is here for 4K quality options.
