What Video Display Do You Need? (And Why 8K Is Probably Overkill)

When it comes to setting up a studio, your monitor matters—but you don’t need to fall for every new buzzword. Here’s what you actually need to know:

Resolution Breakdown

• 1920x1080 (Full HD/1080p):

  • The classic. Plenty sharp for most work, easy on your graphics card, and affordable.

  • Good for music production, basic video editing, and everyday studio tasks.

• 2560x1440 (2K/QHD):

  • Step up in clarity. More screen space, better for multi-tasking and bigger timelines.

  • Sweet spot for a lot of creators—sharp but not demanding.

• 3840x2160 (4K/UHD):

  • Crisp detail, massive real estate. Great for video editing, photo work, or anyone stacking a ton of windows.

  • Needs a beefier GPU, and small text can be… very small on smaller monitors.

• 8K and Beyond:

  • Looks insane—costs even more.

  • Most people don’t need it unless you’re working on next-gen video production for film or ultra-high-res digital art.

  • Files are HUGE, and you’ll need super-fast hardware to keep up.

What About 3D TVs?

• Cool for a minute, but…

• Most creative studios don’t need them, and they’ve basically vanished from the mainstream.

• Focus on clarity, color accuracy, and refresh rate—not 3D gimmicks.

Why This Matters for Studios (Not Gamers!)

• Gamers care about super-high refresh rates (144Hz, 240Hz, etc).

• Creators? You want:

  • Color accuracy: So what you edit actually looks right on other screens.

  • Screen space: To fit your DAW, timeline, plugins, and notes at once.

  • Good connections: Make sure your monitor and PC speak the same language (see our cabling post!).

Echo’s Advice

• Don’t chase numbers for bragging rights.

• 4K is great for serious video/photo work; 2K/QHD is plenty for most music or multi-tasking.

• Only go 8K if you know you need it (and have the hardware for it).

• Always check your monitor ports (HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, etc).

  • Adapters can save you: Next post, we’ll cover what to do if your cables and ports don’t match!

Bottom Line: Pick a monitor that fits your space, your needs, and your budget. The rest is just marketing. If you need help matching it to your setup, Studio+ has you covered.