Your Guide to Watching 4K HD in 2021

Jump to:

• How to watch in 4K
• More details on how to watch in 4K
• 4K TV FAQ

Did you just buy, or are you thinking of picking up, a new 4K TV? Now that 4K technology comes standard on most new TV equipment, content providers, cable TV companies, and streaming services offer a lot more 4K channels and content.

To help you see what’s out there, we’ve compiled a list of cable, satellite, and streaming services that have 4K content and support. We also recommend other equipment you might need to realize your 4K dreams.

How to watch in 4K

Data effective as of post date. All sources of 4K TV require a device capable of displaying 4K content to get the 4K experience.

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4 reasons to invest in 4K now

Is now the time to invest in 4K? Absolutely. In fact, it’s never been a better time to own a 4K TV. 4K resolution is incredible, especially on large TVs (where you’ll notice the difference the most). And the prices are falling as technology becomes more mainstream and content moves to 4K. Let’s dive into more reasons why 4K is an investment you need to make.

1. 4K resolution is incredible

While standard HD has 1920 x 1080 pixels, 4K Ultra HD has a minimum of 3840 × 2160 pixels.

It’s hard to appreciate just how big a 4K picture is when looking at numbers, so let’s spell it out: resolution is the concentration of pixels on a screen, and 4K technology has eight million pixels—that’s four times as many as regular HD. When you get up close and personal, you’ll see every flicker of light and line on a face—it’s incredible. At a distance, the difference isn’t always discernible to the naked eye, unless you have a huge screen.

2. 4K gives you a reason to buy a huge TV

The onset of 4K is finally your excuse to get an enormous TV. For 4K viewing, experts generally recommend a 60″ screen for a mere 5′ viewing distance. Yep, that’s huge. Before you let a TV that big get settled, find out if your TV is positioned the correct distance for optimal viewing.

3. 4K prices are falling

For a long time, 4K and Ultra HDTVs weren’t affordable. That’s changing now that the technology has moved off the bleeding edge of beta and into your living room. As you’ll see in our 4K TV Buyers Guide, you can get a decent 4K TV for under $1,000.00. Not only that but also the size of the TV you can get for your money has increased significantly.

4. More 4K content is available

The 4K content library is finally filling up with not just recent movie titles but also TV shows and other programming as well. In fact, in 2018 several major sporting events were broadcast in 4K for the first time, including the Winter Olympics, Wimbledon, and the World Cup. This may finally be the push 4K needs to move mainstream.

More details on how to watch in 4K

Amazon Prime | Streaming TV service
Cost: $119.00/yr. for Prime membership

Prime membership looks like a hefty price tag, but once you understand the perks and benefits, you’ll be sold. One of the enticing membership features is access to the Prime video library, which includes quite a few 4K HD titles. Amazon also features tons of 4K Ultra HD titles for purchase.

DIRECTV | Satellite TV provider
Cost: $64.99–$134.99/mo.

DIRECTV became the first provider to offer 4K HD, and everyone else has been racing to catch up ever since. The satellite company is also the first provider to have a dedicated all 4K HD channel—although you’ll need the latest Genie (HR-54) to fully appreciate it.

DIRECTV’s 4K TV channels

• Channel 104: 24/7 mix of 4K content
• Channel 105: Pay Per View 4K movies
• Channel 106: Live events in 4K

DISH | Satellite TV provider
Cost: $64.99–$99.99/mo.

DISH is known as the technology leader in the cable and satellite industry, but it’s been a little slow on the uptake with 4K HD in comparison to its competitor DIRECTV. While the Hopper 3 is 4K compatible, most of the Ultra HD content is available on demand or from the Netflix app, which is integrated into the Hopper 3.

Fandango Now | Streaming rentals
Cost: $6.00 per rental/$20.00–$25.00 per purchase

M-GO and Fandango have merged to create Fandango Now, a streaming rental service that offers movie titles in 4K. There are dozens to choose from for rent or purchase, and the app is available on most streaming boxes like the Roku 4, Amazon Fire, and Chromecast Ultra.

Hulu | Streaming TV service
Cost: Starts at $5.99/mo.

Hulu is one of Netflix’s main competitors. Hulu started offering 4K streaming at the end of 2016, but the rollout has been fairly slow, especially when it comes to compatible devices. Users still need a PlayStation 4 Pro or Xbox One S to stream the service in 4K. Viewers can catch Spectre in Ultra HD, as well as Hulu’s Original Series, like The Path and The Handmaid’s Tale.

iTunes | Rentals and purchases
Cost: Varies by title

Yes, Apple has finally joined the 4K revolution. iTunes content is now available in 4K and HDR. The best part is that existing HD content you’ve purchased is automatically upgraded on compatible devices. Look for the 4K or HDR symbols next to titles when searching to verify they’re available in 4K resolution—and make sure your Apple TV supports 4K. There’s a specific model you need—aptly called Apple TV 4K.

Netflix | Streaming service
Cost: $17.99/mo.

Netflix is your best bet for a variety of 4K HD content at a budget price. However, you’ll have to invest in a compatible streaming box if your cable or satellite TV service doesn’t integrate Netflix. But it’ll be worth it: many of Netflix’s original series are available in 4K HD, including classics like Daredevil, Sense 8, and Jessica Jones.

PlayStation 4 Pro | Gaming system
Cost: $319.00

The PS4 Pro may not be a Blu-ray player, but it does have one thing going for it: access to Sony’s 4K HD content. You can purchase and download 4K movies and other content with the PS4 Pro, which—similar to the Xbox One S—uses HDR technology to bring spectacular graphics to life.

PlayStation 5 | Gaming system
Cost: $499.99

PlayStation 5 Digital Edition | Gaming system
Cost: $399.99

PlayStation’s newest console can play up to 8K HDR video—but you won’t find a lot of 8K content for a while. But that means it’ll play 4K like a champ! It’ll also play all of your physical media, from DVDs all the way up to 4K UHD Blu-ray discs. And you’ll be able to play videos from your external hard drives as well. Content options are the same as the PlayStation 4 Pro above.

All of this—except the physical media part—applies to the cheaper, disc-free PlayStation 5 Digital Edition. It’s not as powerful as its more-expensive sibling, but it’s still a fine system.

UltraFlix | Streaming rentals
Cost: $1.00–$10.00 per rental

This streaming app allows you to rent quite a few 4K HD titles. In fact, it boasts the largest library of 4K HD content available. The downside is they aren’t available for purchase just yet. But if you’re looking to peruse and be impressed, UltraFlix’s app is on the Roku 4, Amazon Fire, and the Chromecast Ultra.

Ultra HD Blu-ray | Blu-ray player
Cost: $75.00–$400.00

Most of the big-name electronics brands make a 4K Ultra HD Player, so if you’re a movie buff who enjoys having a collection of DVDs on display, go for it. Just keep in mind that if you do more than watch movies, you might get more mileage out of a gaming system like the Xbox One S, which will let you watch Ultra HD Blu-ray DVDs and play video games.

VUDU | Streaming rentals
Cost: $4–$8 per rental/$5–$30 per purchase

You’ll need a Roku 4 to get the content, but VUDU offers a growing number of 4K HD movies and other titles. And if you have a compatible TV, you can watch a few of them in HDR with Dolby Vision, which is considered the peak of color performance and dynamic, rich display.

Xbox One S | Gaming system
Cost: $149–$299.00

Xbox One S incorporates HDR technology, which stands for High Dynamic Range and enables better color contrast and display. Many TV manufacturers and industry experts believe HDR is more important for realistic picture and detail than 4K resolution. And—unlike the PlayStation 4 Pro—Xbox One S will play Ultra HD Blu-ray movies, making it a more versatile entertainment system.

Xbox Series X | Gaming system
Cost: $499.99

Xbox Series S | Gaming system
Cost: $299.99

The Xbox Series X can play games and video in up to 8K HDR resolution—but, again, there’s not a ton of 8K movies and shows available. And, again, that’s fine—the Series X will play all of the 4K streaming video and up to 4K UHD Blu-ray discs.

And, like the PlayStation 5, the Xbox Series X has a less powerful, more affordable version: the Xbox Series S. While also capable of up to 8K HDR resolution, it works only with an HDMI 2.1 cable, which is sold separately with the Series S (yes, it’s included with the Series X).

Xfinity | Cable provider
Cost: $46.95–$89.99/month

Xfinity has finally released its 4K-compatible X1 DVR, so customers with a 4K TV can finally get content easily with the provider. Unfortunately, there isn’t a ton of content available yet—the 2018 Winter Olympics were available in 4K, and customers can use the built-in Netflix app to watch Netflix in 4K. But that’s about as far as the content goes, though we expect more to come as the new X1 boxes roll out to customers.

YouTube | Streaming service
Cost: YouTube is free; YouTube Premium is $7–$18/mo.

With YouTube TV, 4K content is now more plentiful, with YouTube Originals, 4K movies, and of course user-submitted 4K content, including an astonishing library of demos and shorts, most of which will look more real than the view outside your window. And now there’s even a bunch of 8K content to watch if you have a TV that supports such amazing detail.

Now that you have some great HD content to watch, make sure you get the best sound quality to go with it! Check out our guide to the best sound systems.

And stay tuned for future updates. Until then, check out our resources and equipment guides for more advice on all things 4K HD.

4K TV FAQ

Is 4K TV worth it?

In a word: yes! At this point, 4K is not going anywhere—the technology is only progressing. In fact, it’s possible to watch 8K on YouTube now. Additionally, 4K programming is becoming more readily available, and TVs are getting both bigger and cheaper. It’s never been a better time to go 4K. That said, you do need the right equipment. Look at our 4K TV Buyers Guide to see our recommended 4K TVs.

Wait—my TV says 4K Ultra HD or UHD. Are those the same as 4K?

Technically, 4K is the terminology for the cinema standard, and Ultra HD is meant to be the consumer-facing term. But 4K has gained more traction in everyday use, so the two are often used interchangeably. However, there is actually a small difference in resolution.

• 4K Resolution: 4096 x 2160
• Ultra HD Resolution: 3840 X 2160

If your TV says 4K Ultra HD, it meets both of these standards for resolution. That’s all you really need to know, but if you want to learn more about 4K technology and Ultra HD, TechRadar has an excellent guide.

What are the 4K streaming requirements?

To watch 4K content, you’ll need four things: a 4K TV, a 4K streaming box or TV service, a 4K compatible HDMI cable, and-if streaming-plenty of internet speed. We’ll cover each of these a bit more below.