topic Re: When Can XZ Premium Use Full 4K Resolution? in XZ Series

When Can XZ Premium Use Full 4K Resolution?

RoboticBot — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 23:28:14 GMT

Some advanced reviews of the new Xperia XZ Premium (5.5 inch 4K screeen) state that it will only use the 4K resolution when playing 4K videos in YouTube. Also, that it reverts to regular Full HD to show photos and all other videos.
I really need a phone that can display the full 4K resolution for photos I place in the gallery, or photo app slide show, etc.. And if I can use the full HDR brightness and tonal range, that would be best.
Will the XZ Premium have apps that I can use to display photos at the full 4K resolution, or will it be limited to YouTube and Netflix 4K videos only?
I understand that I may need to upload photos in a certain format or size in order to have the phone display in full 4K, and that is no problem. But is there a way to upload my photos to the phone and have them display in full 4K? And if they have a wide tonal range, would these still pictures use the full range (the HDR range) of the display? Or can they be rewritten to do so and then uploaded, as jpgs or whatever format allows it?
PS: Would it speed up operation to size each picture to the exact size of the XZ Premium's 4K resolution (I would size to 2,160 x 3,840 pixels if it helps).
Thanks!

Re: When Can XZ Premium Use Full 4K Resolution?

XDevNima — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 20:53:22 GMT

It must be like Xperia Z5 Premium

When you enter to the sony album and video app it means when you want to see pictures and movies your resolution upgrade to 4K.

Re: When Can XZ Premium Use Full 4K Resolution?

RoboticBot — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 23:53:44 GMT

Thanks for your answer! I hope the XZ Prem. gives a bit more control to the user, since the 4K screen is the THE big reason for the XZ-P being in its top class.
Thanks again!

Re: When Can XZ Premium Use Full 4K Resolution?

Bjorn_O — Wed, 17 May 2017 12:19:30 GMT

Hi!
On Xperia XZ Premium the Xperia Album app will render in 4K resolution (2160x3840). This is not the case for other album apps such as Google Photos.
If you play a video in full-screen mode (think, landscape mode) it also uses 4K. This is true regardless if you use Xperia Album or YouTube and true for many 3rd party video players as well.
For other use cases, full HD resolution is used.

@RoboticBot: You mention that you want more control over when the display uses 4K. Control can be useful sometimes, but many users appreciates automation. Can you elaborate some more on why you want more settings? Do you have some examples other than battery save? Can you suggest other apps where 4K should be active?

Re: When Can XZ Premium Use Full 4K Resolution?

Lord_viridis — Thu, 18 May 2017 08:33:25 GMT

@Bjorn_O wrote:

If you play a video in full-screen mode (think, landscape mode) it also uses 4K. This is true regardless if you use Xperia Album or YouTube and true for many 3rd party video players as well.

This is brilliant news, means XZ Premium is ready for when streaming services go mobile with 4k.

Brilliant to see YouTube compatibility in the device.

Re: When Can XZ Premium Use Full 4K Resolution?

Bjorn_O — Mon, 22 May 2017 12:59:47 GMT

@azzido There is more information regarding Xperia XZPs 4K resolution in this thread. Please continue your discussion regarding manual control of the 4K resolution in this thread.

As I told @RoboticBot, Control can be useful sometimes, but many users appreciates automation. Can you elaborate some more on why you want more settings? Do you have some examples other than battery save? Can you suggest other apps where 4K should be active?

Re: When Can XZ Premium Use Full 4K Resolution?

RoboticBot — Mon, 22 May 2017 23:55:28 GMT

Bjorn,

Thanks for your help!
Here is the background for the question:
I need to upload photographs I've taken (using Sony Alpha cameras) to display in highest resolution to show my photographic work when 'on the road.' I've not had a Sony phone previously, but the 4K resolution (and the fact that I'm using 3 Sony Alpha cameras in my work) have encouraged me to look into using the XZ Premium to show my work out on location.
But since I'm totally unfamiliar with the Apps that the XZ Prem. uses to show photos, I want to be sure that I can use the Album app or a Video app to effectively to do this - and in 4K.

Here's a bit more info - I may use a VR type viewer (like Google Cardboard, but much improved optics and enclosure) to help view the photographs on the phone, so the 4K resolution would be very important. These VR viewers divide the picture in half, and it halves the resolution - so 4K is needed to still have a high resolution for each eye. I've tried doing the above using some of the recent Samsung and LG phones, and they already look great, but the Sony at 4K would likely look incredible. And with a VR viewer attached, I may need a separate app to be able to select the photos (go forward / reverse in order, etc.). So if other apps could also be used in 4K, I'd know I can use it this way if needed.

I do like automated features, but almost always find that, if I can turn off the automation - even at the expense of faster battery consumption - I always prefer having that possibilty. Example: I always like to manually control my screen brightness, because it is never 'quite right,' for the situation. "Automatic" always sets it to a 'reasonable' brightness, and probably saves battery power, but I need to be able to set brightness to the perfect setting for my own needs. If 4K consumes much more power, I'd still like to be able to decide when it's worth the trade-off. And if it is that it may become too hot, then a warning would be needed, or a temporary shut off to protect the phone.

If you are still reading, I'll ask one further thing: Is the XZ Prem.'s display likely to have much 'burn-in,' similar to the older Samsung OLED's?

Sorry if I gave you too much information, but wanted to be more clear.
Thanks for your assistance, and I'm hopeful the XZ P will be the perfect phone for my needs!
- Randall
@RoboticBot

Re: When Can XZ Premium Use Full 4K Resolution?

RoboticBot — Tue, 23 May 2017 00:32:33 GMT

Bjorn,

One last thing to clarify, please:

Could I upload my own photos (from a Sony Alpha camera, for example), and display them using the XZ Premium's "Album" app without any difficulty? And what files would the XZ-P's Album app display? (image files like: jpg, psd, pdf, etc.?)
I just want to be certain that the Album app can display photos from other devices - photos that are not made on the XZ-P phone.

Re: When Can XZ Premium Use Full 4K Resolution?

Lord_viridis — Tue, 23 May 2017 08:37:59 GMT

@RoboticBot wrote:
Bjorn,
One last thing to clarify, please:
Could I upload my own photos (from a Sony Alpha camera, for example), and display them using the XZ Premium's "Album" app without any difficulty? And what files would the XZ-P's Album app display? (image files like: jpg, psd, pdf, etc.?)
I just want to be certain that the Album app can display photos from other devices - photos that are not made on the XZ-P phone.

As well as jpg files, png, I know for a fact that latest album builds display DNG RAW files too.

I'll test others but pdf I think will only go through pdf reader apps and psd is a layered document for use in photoshop? But I'll check it.

Re: When Can XZ Premium Use Full 4K Resolution?

Lord_viridis — Tue, 23 May 2017 08:45:09 GMT

Psd did not work.

Re: When Can XZ Premium Use Full 4K Resolution?

Lord_viridis — Tue, 23 May 2017 08:52:12 GMT

@RoboticBot wrote:
Bjorn,
Thanks for your help!
Here is the background for the question:
I need to upload photographs I've taken (using Sony Alpha cameras) to display in highest resolution to show my photographic work when 'on the road.' I've not had a Sony phone previously, but the 4K resolution (and the fact that I'm using 3 Sony Alpha cameras in my work) have encouraged me to look into using the XZ Premium to show my work out on location.
But since I'm totally unfamiliar with the Apps that the XZ Prem. uses to show photos, I want to be sure that I can use the Album app or a Video app to effectively to do this - and in 4K.

Here's a bit more info - I may use a VR type viewer (like Google Cardboard, but much improved optics and enclosure) to help view the photographs on the phone, so the 4K resolution would be very important. These VR viewers divide the picture in half, and it halves the resolution - so 4K is needed to still have a high resolution for each eye. I've tried doing the above using some of the recent Samsung and LG phones, and they already look great, but the Sony at 4K would likely look incredible. And with a VR viewer attached, I may need a separate app to be able to select the photos (go forward / reverse in order, etc.). So if other apps could also be used in 4K, I'd know I can use it this way if needed.

I do like automated features, but almost always find that, if I can turn off the automation - even at the expense of faster battery consumption - I always prefer having that possibilty. Example: I always like to manually control my screen brightness, because it is never 'quite right,' for the situation. "Automatic" always sets it to a 'reasonable' brightness, and probably saves battery power, but I need to be able to set brightness to the perfect setting for my own needs. If 4K consumes much more power, I'd still like to be able to decide when it's worth the trade-off. And if it is that it may become too hot, then a warning would be needed, or a temporary shut off to protect the phone.

If you are still reading, I'll ask one further thing: Is the XZ Prem.'s display likely to have much 'burn-in,' similar to the older Samsung OLED's?
Sorry if I gave you too much information, but wanted to be more clear.
Thanks for your assistance, and I'm hopeful the XZ P will be the perfect phone for my needs!
- Randall
@RoboticBot

Lcd doesn't get oled burn in like on Samsung, it's one reason I prefer lcd.

As for camera compatibility, luckily the Xperia Album app supports viewing the ARW raw file format produced from Alpha cameras, as well as DNG, PNF, JPG, and quite a few others.

On loading the image, the app changes to 4k and shows the image at maximum resolution, you will be impressed, I'm sure

Re: When Can XZ Premium Use Full 4K Resolution?

Thelastofus — Tue, 23 May 2017 10:43:56 GMT

SORRY but samsung fixed OLED burn-in issue years ago...

I prefer LCD too but not LCD with low contrast like XZP (1238:1) atleast (2000:1) contrast is a must for LCD panel ..

Re: When Can XZ Premium Use Full 4K Resolution?

RoboticBot — Tue, 23 May 2017 11:40:15 GMT

Wow, thanks viridis!
So then it can use files from outside sources (like from a Sony alpha camera, if exported in the right file type)?
And these files can be used in the Album app on the XZ Premium displayed in 4K mode?
Great news if so!!
I've heard that the X5 Premium took a few seconds to display the full resolution image (it quickly displayed a LOW-rez one, but took longer to put up the high-rez one).
So would sizing a jpg to the exact resolution (2160 x 3840) of the XZ P screen make this a fast process, and display the high-rez image quickly, if no interpolation in resolution is needed?
Many thanks to viridis (and Bjorn)!!

Re: When Can XZ Premium Use Full 4K Resolution?

Lord_viridis — Tue, 23 May 2017 13:19:02 GMT

@Thelastofus wrote:
SORRY but samsung fixed OLED burn-in issue years ago...

No, they really didn't,would you like physical proof or just take my word for it. Samsung cannot fix a hardware limitation of oled cells.

Re: When Can XZ Premium Use Full 4K Resolution?

Bjorn_O — Tue, 23 May 2017 14:37:34 GMT

I see that @Viridis have already done a great job answering most of your questions.

It's nice to hear that photographers find that the quality and high resolution of the Xperia XZ Premium display can help them in their work.

@RoboticBot wrote:
So then it can use files from outside sources (like from a Sony alpha camera, if exported in the right file type)?
And these files can be used in the Album app on the XZ Premium displayed in 4K mode?

Yes and yes!

@RoboticBot wrote:
So would sizing a jpg to the exact resolution (2160 x 3840) of the XZ P screen make this a fast process, and display the high-rez image quickly, if no interpolation in resolution is needed?

I will look into this one. So far I have not experienced any performance problems when loading 4K images taken with the camera.

About the VR usecase. You will be able to watch VR videos, such as Youtube VR in 4K resolution. Currently I think VR still images is not supported by Xperia Album. When images are viewed in for example Googles Cardboard Camera, the 4K mode is not active.

Using 4K resolution for image viewing in VR is a great idea and I'll suggest internally that the use-case is reconsidered.

Re: When Can XZ Premium Use Full 4K Resolution?

Thelastofus — Tue, 23 May 2017 14:43:07 GMT

Atleast they improved it with their latest OLED panel they using in GALAXY S8 (DEEP RED OLED)

WHY APPLE WANT TO BUY OLED PANEL FROM SAMSUNG FOR IPHONE8? because samsung is largest medium-sized oled producer in the world ..they trust samsung because their OLED panel have the best Quality..

But what about SONY ?? they used TN panel in XPERIA Z AND Z1..

After that they used low Quality and cheap IPS panel from Z2 to XZ PREMIUM ! Not a huge improvement

Re: And About 4K Resolution in Video - What File Types?

RoboticBot — Fri, 26 May 2017 13:31:31 GMT

Thanks, Bjorn for all the help and info!! (also Viridis!)
One last thing though - What file types of video will the XZ-P accept if I upload a movie to the phone? And will that movie play in Album, or other app? (Sorry - not familiar enough yet with the Sony apps, but hope to be soon.)
Just want to know if I can upload my own movie into the XZ-P, and play it for sure in 4K (whatever app is needed). So, please - what app - and what file types of video do you think will play in 4K? (MOV, WAV, MP4, etc.?)
And would I be able to somehow remotely control my slide show from another mobile device or other control (to advance to next image, etc. for photos - or to stop, start, fast forward, etc. for video?)

Many thanks for your ongoing answers!
Randall

Re: And About 4K Resolution in Video - What File Types?

Bjorn_O — Tue, 30 May 2017 08:18:07 GMT

@RoboticBot wrote:
What file types of video will the XZ-P accept if I upload a movie to the phone? And will that movie play in Album, or other app?

And would I be able to somehow remotely control my slide show from another mobile device or other control (to advance to next image, etc. for photos - or to stop, start, fast forward, etc. for video?)

Sony Album support most video formats. Since 4K playback in the Xperia XZ Premium support most 3rd party video players you can always install 3rd party players in case one of your videos does not play in Album. So the short answer is: yes, you will be able to play basically any video format in 4K.

When it comes to controlling your slide shows remotely, you can for instance connect a bluetooth mouse to the device. There are probably other ways to do this as well. Do you have any other tips on this @Viridis ?

Re: And About 4K Resolution in Video - What File Types?

Lord_viridis — Tue, 30 May 2017 08:51:49 GMT

There's possibly a remote control app too for smart wear devices. As well as some album / slideshow apps having time settings for images.

I know Dualshock 4 controller will also work for ui and album control so that's an option. Sony tablets will also remote display the ui through mirracast but not sure on the control aspect of gallery slideshow.

Sorry I can't add more to this @Bjorn_O as I don't yet have XZ Premium nor a SmartWatch to check.

Re: When Can XZ Premium Use Full 4K Resolution?

WHAALE-FPV — Tue, 30 May 2017 21:31:09 GMT

@Bjorn_O wrote:
Can you suggest other apps where 4K should be active?

I'm one of the developers of the "CAVU FPV" app.

Basically it allows to fly DJI drones using an Android smartphone and cheap VR goggles.

See http://fpv.whaale.com for details.

This is a cheap alternative to the "dji goggles" that were announced recently.

The only disadvantage (at the moment) is the maximal resolution of Android smartphones of 2560*1440 pixels, which gives you 1280*1440 pixels per eye.

The dji goggles have 1920*1080 per eye.

If it would be possible to use 4k resolution for our app on the XZ devices, this would allow double the resolution of the dji goggles = 1920*2160 pixels per eye = GREAT!

--> a lot of our customers would buy an XZ Premium instead of the dji goggles...

When I set the Xperia Z5 Premium to 4K mode as described here at https://forum.xda-developers.com/z5-premium/general/changing-resolution-default-to-2k-root-t3282319

the app already works fine...