Understanding video resolution: 1080p to 8K
Video resolution determines how much detail you see on screen. Higher resolution means more pixels, sharper image, and larger file sizes. Here's what each resolution level means:
| Resolution | Pixels | Common name | Typical file size (10 min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 1920 × 1080 | Full HD | 200-500 MB |
| 1440p | 2560 × 1440 | 2K / QHD | 400 MB - 1 GB |
| 2160p | 3840 × 2160 | 4K / UHD | 1-4 GB |
| 4320p | 7680 × 4320 | 8K / FUHD | 4-12 GB |
Why most downloaders can't do 4K
On YouTube (and many other platforms), 4K and 8K video streams are delivered separately from the audio track. This is called DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP). Simple downloaders that grab a single file URL only get the progressive stream, which typically maxes out at 720p or 1080p.
To get 4K or 8K, a downloader needs to:
- Detect the separate video and audio DASH streams
- Download the highest-quality video stream (which may use VP9 or AV1 codec)
- Download the best audio stream separately
- Merge them into a single playable file using ffmpeg
Star Video Downloader handles all of this automatically. It uses yt-dlp to resolve streams and ffmpeg to merge them — the same tools professionals use, wrapped in a simple Mac interface.
How to Download 4K Videos on Mac — Step by Step
Download Star Video Downloader
Get the app from starvideoapp.com. Unzip and move to Applications. Works on macOS 14+ with Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Upgrade to Pro (for 4K+)
The free tier downloads up to 1080p. For 4K, 8K, and HDR content, upgrade to Pro for a one-time $5 payment. No subscription, no recurring charges.
Paste the video URL
Copy the URL of a 4K or 8K video from YouTube, Vimeo, or any supported site. Paste it into Star Video Downloader.
Select quality and download
The app shows all available quality options. Select the highest one (e.g., 2160p for 4K or 4320p for 8K) and click Download. The app handles stream merging automatically.
Tip: 4K videos use modern codecs like VP9 or AV1, which some older media players can't handle. If your video won't play, use the Convert tab to re-encode it as H.264 MP4 — universally compatible but with slightly larger file size.
HDR video downloads
Some 4K and 8K videos also include HDR (High Dynamic Range) metadata for enhanced color and brightness. HDR comes in several formats:
- HDR10 — the most common format, supported by most 4K displays
- HDR10+ — Samsung's dynamic HDR format
- Dolby Vision — Apple's preferred HDR format, used on iPhone and Apple TV
- HLG — Hybrid Log-Gamma, used in broadcast TV
Star Video Downloader preserves HDR metadata when downloading. The downloaded file will display in HDR on compatible displays (like Mac with XDR display, or when AirPlayed to an HDR TV).
Codecs: VP9, AV1, and H.264
YouTube's 4K and 8K content typically uses the VP9 or AV1 codec rather than H.264. These newer codecs offer better compression (smaller files at the same quality) but require more processing power to play back.
- VP9 — widely supported on modern Macs, good balance of quality and compatibility
- AV1 — best compression, but only hardware-decoded on M3+ Apple Silicon Macs
- H.264 — universally compatible but rarely available above 1080p on YouTube
If you need H.264 compatibility (for older devices or editing software), use Star Video Downloader's Convert tab to re-encode the downloaded video.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download 4K videos for free?
The free tier of Star Video Downloader supports up to 1080p. To download 4K (2160p) and 8K (4320p) videos, you need the Pro version, which costs $5 one-time with no subscription.
Why are 4K video files so large?
4K video has four times the pixels of 1080p, so file sizes are significantly larger. A 10-minute 4K video might be 2-4 GB depending on bitrate and codec. 8K files can be even larger. Make sure you have enough disk space before downloading.
What's the difference between 4K and HDR?
4K refers to resolution (3840x2160 pixels). HDR (High Dynamic Range) refers to color depth and brightness range. A video can be 4K without HDR, or 4K with HDR. Star Video Downloader preserves HDR metadata when downloading HDR content.
Which sites have 4K content?
YouTube has the largest library of 4K and 8K content. Vimeo also hosts high-quality 4K videos. Other sites like Dailymotion and some streaming platforms offer 4K content. Star Video Downloader supports 1,000+ sites.
Download Videos in True 4K & 8K Quality
No quality caps, no compression, no subscriptions. Just the highest resolution available.
macOS 14+ • Apple Silicon & Intel • No subscription