Effect of display resolution on physiological and psychological state while viewing video content

We experimentally evaluated the effect of display resolution on physiological and psychological state while viewing video content at 4K and 2K on a 65-inch 4K TV. Four kinds of video content (two types of scenic material and two types of material with movement and action) were used. Each program comprised two minutes of 4K and two minutes of 2K content. The results showed that the scores for “presence,” “impact,” “realism,” “quality” and “precision” when viewing 4K scenic content were significantly higher than those for 2K content. Significant differences were also observed between NIRS, an index of nervous system activity, during viewing tests of 4K content and that for 2K content; and between heart rate, an index of sympathetic nervous system activity, during viewing tests of 4K content and that for 2K content. Our results suggest that viewing material at 4K causes psychological elation, a surge in brain activity and calming of autonomic nerve activity, although the effects varied with type of content.