HD or 4K? How editors choose stock footage

Choosing between HD and 4K stock footage comes down to where your project will live. If your film ends on a phone screen or a compressed social feed, a well-shot HD clip holds up beautifully and keeps your timeline light. But when your work heads to broadcast, a cinema screen, or a client's large display, 4K gives you room to reframe, stabilize, and punch in without losing detail.

Our rule of thumb: license 4K for hero shots that carry a scene, and HD for support shots that pass in a few seconds. Every Framevault Films clip is graded for consistent color, so HD and 4K cuts sit together without a visible seam.

Still unsure? Download the free preview of any clip and test it in your actual edit before you spend a credit.