Cognitive effect on image quality in full ultra-high definition(8 K)

Resolution for displays are increasing from 4K-UHD to 8K-Full UHD. We conducted a subjective image quality evaluation to compare the image quality between 4 and 8 K by using diverse image stimuli. As a result, we identified perceptual and cognitive characteristics that can be demonstrated in image quality above 8 K. Cognitive and synesthetic factors as well as perceptual factors, and color expression were improved in 8 K image quality. The research findings suggested that both perceptual and cognitive factors are reinforced in 8 K. This tendency was even more reinforced when the main object was placed within the image. Also, the contrast and vividness felt higher at 8 K, of which the vividness influenced the cognitive evaluation of the 8 K image quality. When compared with 4 K, the image quality above 8 K was accompanied by optical illusion, which in turn improved the understanding of the main object. These results suggest that cognitive evaluations for a comprehensive understanding of images may be strengthened at a very high resolution of 8 K or higher beyond the ‘presence’ of 4 K resolution.