Netflix has tons of UHD content to enjoy right now, including Blue Planet II, Roma, Stranger Things, Black Mirror, and more. If you want to stream Netflix in crisp, clear 4K, you need the right equipment, account, and internet.
To clarify the name, 4K and UHD are basically the same. The current screen's resolution is four times more pixels than HD (that's why it's named 4K), meaning the highest resolution. This is the resolution found in most mainstream cinemas today.
What you need to watch 4K content on Netflix
To watch rich 4K content, there are four things to check:
- 60Hz 4K TV capable of streaming Netflix
- Streaming devices that allow 4K content
- Internet connection speed of 25 Mbps or higher
- Netflix plan with 4K streaming
It also checks whether the streaming quality is set to Auto or High.
Does your TV currently support 4K content?
What exactly are the technical requirements needed to be compatible with 4K content? Obviously, in addition to having a 4K TV, you should make sure your TV has an HDMI cable and port that is HDCP 2.2 certified. This information can be found in the instruction manual or on the manufacturer's website. Netflix provides a full list of compatible devices on its website that it updates regularly.
For reference, this article only deals with watching content on TV. In order to stream 4K Netflix on your PC or laptop, you need the following:
- 25Mbps or higher download speed
- A monitor or TV that supports 4K (3840x2160)
- Windows 10
- Fast processor
- Netflix plan including 4K
Which streaming device do you need?
If you watch on a 4K TV, it's likely a smart TV, so you can access Netflix directly from the home menu. However, if you want to watch Netflix through a streaming box or device such as an Amazon Fire TV Stick or game console, make sure this device can stream UHD.
The PlayStation 4 Pro, for example, can stream 4K, but the standard and slim versions don't. Likewise, Amazon Firestick 4K is possible, but Amazon Firestick is not. Most '4K' content is indicated in the title description.
Again, you can find a full list of all compatible devices on the Netflix website. To buy a new streaming device, take a look at the Media Streaming Box for TV.
How to check your internet connection speed?
If you have a TV that supports 4K, you now need internet speed. The recommended speed for streaming smoothly in UHD on Netflix is 25Mbps, the higher the better. If the value is lower than this, a lot of buffering problems may occur. For a stronger connection, 4K consumes a lot of data, so consider a wired connection rather than just relying on Wi-Fi. In other words, connect the streaming device directly to the router via an Ethernet cable.
If you're not sure of your internet speed, it's a good idea to visit SpeedTest.Net, an internet speed measurement site, to measure your speed.
Netflix plan, premium only 4K
Unfortunately, the basic plan only allows access to standard definition content. To watch in 4K, you need to upgrade to the Netflix premium plan, which is currently priced at $17.99 per month (in Korea, only the premium plan at $14,500 per month can enjoy 4K streaming services. Editor's Note)
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Check your streaming quality settings
To use UHD, the streaming quality must be set high. If you're watching on a 4K TV with a stable internet connection, most are displayed automatically. You can check the streaming quality again by going to the Account tab first, then clicking on 'Playback Settings' in the 'My Profile' session. The screen should look like this:
The quality you set your video will affect the amount of data you use. If you want to preserve your data for any reason, you should switch to a lower setting. This means that the content will not appear in 4K.
4K content provided by Netflix
Netflix doesn't yet have a 4K content category, so the process is a bit more manual. Enter '4K' or 'UltraHD' in the search bar to check the items that can be viewed in 4K. You can also check if your favorite show or movie is 4K on the title card that appears above the description. As explained earlier, 4K content is indicated in the title.
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