How to Find and Play Netflix 4K Content
Being able to stream 4K content from Netflix does not mean that all of Netflix is in 4K. Moreover, Netflix does not always announce when new 4K content arrives, and titles are rotated in and out each month. For a listing of most 4K titles, check out the 4K Titles On Netflix Page from HD Report. The best way to find out if new 4K titles have been added recently is to simply log in to your Netflix account on your Smart 4K Ultra HD TV and scroll down the 4K Ultra HD content line or select 4K in the category menu.
How to Watch Netflix on Ultra HD TV
OK, you are excited, you have a 4K Ultra HD TV and subscribe to Netflix, so you are almost ready. To watch Netflix in 4K, your TV (and you) have to meet several requirements.
Which TVs Are Compatible?
Unfortunately, not all 4K Ultra HD TVs have the proper HEVC decoder or are HDMI 2.0, or HDCP 2.2 compliant—especially sets that came out before 2014. However, since that time there has been a steady stream of Ultra HD TVs that meet 4K streaming requirements from most brands, including LG, Samsung, Sony, TCL, Hisense, Vizio, and more.
Streaming on Netflix Requires a Subscription
In order to stream Netflix 4K content on specific Ultra HD TV models from each of these brands, the TV has to be a model that was released in 2014 or later and has the Netflix app installed, plus you must have a subscription plan that allows you to access Netflix’s 4K content library. If you aren’t sure your specific TV model or Netflix subscription plan fits the requirements, definitely contact customer/tech support for your brand of TV, or contact Netflix customer service for the latest info.
Internet Speed Requirements
The final thing you need to stream Netflix 4K content is a fast broadband connection. Netflix strongly recommends that you have access to an internet streaming/download speed of about 25mbps. It may be possible that a slightly lower speed could still work, but you may experience buffering or stalling issues or Netflix will automatically “down-rez” your streaming signal to 1080p, or lower resolution, in response to your available internet speed (which also means you won’t get that improved picture quality).
Ethernet vs. Wi-Fi
In conjunction with a fast broadband speed, you should also connect your Smart Ultra HD TV to the internet via a physical Ethernet connection. Even if your TV provides Wi-Fi, it can be unstable, resulting in buffering or stalling, which definitely ruins the movie viewing experience. However, if you are currently using Wi-Fi and haven’t had a problem, you may still be OK. Just remember, 4K video contains a lot more data, so even minor interference can cause problems. If you encounter problems using Wi-Fi, Ethernet would be the best option.
Beware of Data Caps
Be aware of your monthly ISP data caps. Depending on your ISP (Internet Service Provider), you may be subject to a monthly data cap. For most downloading and streaming, these caps often times go unnoticed, but if you are venturing into the 4K territory, you are going to be using more data each month than you are now. If you don’t know what your monthly data cap is, how much it costs when you go over it, or even if you have one, contact your ISP for more details.
The HDR Bonus
Another added bonus is that some 4K Netflix content is HDR encoded. This means that if you have a compatible HDR TV, you can also experience enhanced brightness, contrast, and color that gives the viewing experience a more real-life natural look with select titles.
What Does 4K Netflix Look and Sound Like?
Of course, once you access 4K streaming via Netflix, the question is “How does it look?” If you have the required broadband speed, the result will also depend on the quality, and, frankly, the screen size of your TV - 55-inches or larger is best viewing the difference between 1080p and 4K. The results can look pretty impressive and can look a little better than 1080p Blu-ray Disc, but still doesn’t quite match the quality you can get off of a physical 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc. Also, in terms of audio, the surround sound formats available on Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray discs provide a better listening experience than the Dolby Digital/EX/Plus formats available via the streaming option on most content. There is some support for Dolby Atmos (compatible home theater receiver and speaker setup also required).
