We are currently in the golden age of domestic TVs, which we know will only improve as the years go on. Since we first began offering great TV deals, we have seen the development of many excellent upgrades, such as the rise of 4K.
4K has been around for many years and is readily available on most smart TVs on the market, but how much do you actually know about this display resolution? Are you getting the best experience and utilising its high definition with your streaming services?
We want to help you get the most out of your smart TV by assisting you in getting the correct settings and finding the best content, even with a cheap TV.
What is a 4K TV?
Also known as Ultra HD, 4K offers some of the best definitions of in-picture viewing with an incredible 4000 pixels. Whereas standard full HD only provides 1,920 pixels per display. It was first seen in cinemas in 2011, with Sony offering the first home theatre projector in 4K in 2012. However, it wasn’t until 2014 that we saw more platforms, such as Amazon Prime, providing support for 4K, and even in 2019, few films were utilising the ability to create content in 4K.
A 4K TV allows you to see much more detail on screen, and they are noticeably sharper than a full HD TV. Many households are choosing larger displays for their living rooms, and whilst having a sizeable device may feel luxurious, without a higher resolution, the picture may start to pixelate the closer you are to the screen. It is not ideal in a home that may not have the distance in their living room to get optimal viewing.
Can Any TV Show or Movie Be Shown in 4K?
Unfortunately, there is only a select availability of 4K content. The likes of TV received over Freeview and digital aerials can only provide a standard HD; 4K requires four times the amount of information, and getting the information to your device can be challenging.
Within the UK, big companies such as Sky have begun broadcasting certain sports in 4K, and BT is using IPTV to do the same, but so far, the standard broadcasting channels are yet to find a cost-effective and manageable way of sending data in 4K.
This doesn’t mean you can’t still view a great definition of TV with a 4K smart TV. The likes of Sony have developed their Bravia XR technology to include an XR upscaling. This allows the TV to access further data to bring your standard full HD quality as close to 4K as possible. However, when it comes to streaming platforms, we are pleased to say the content seems to be coming quicker than broadcasted channels.
Netflix in 4K
For anyone who watches Netflix, you will be aware that it has a series of price plans available, and if you pay for its premium package of £15.99 (UK, 2022), you can use up to four devices on your account, all providing 4K.
However, you may have to change the settings on your Netflix account to access 4K content. You can access it through the playback settings in the menu and change the data usage per screen from auto to high. This will provide you with Netflix content in the highest definition available.
Be aware when using this on an internet package with limited data. As mentioned previously, to provide 4K content, you need four times more information, which could cause issues if you use data from a mobile device.
Prime Video in 4K
While Amazon has done a brilliant job of providing a lot of 4K content, not everything on their platform is available in 4K. The best way to access 4K content with amazon is through their app on a cheap smart TV.
You can quickly search all the 4K content available by asking, “show me 4K on Prime Video”, using the voice assistant feature on your smart TV. Alternatively, when browsing through their hundreds of TV shows and movies, you simply need to look for the UHD icon in the description.
This will let you know that you can access this content in 4K. However, like Netflix, you may have to pay extra for this detailed definition. Nevertheless, there is plenty of content available with an Amazon Prime Subscription.
Without a device capable of displaying 4K, having access to 4K content will be no good. Check out our cheap 4K TV deals to find a TV that will bring you only the best quality films and series through Amazon Prime Video.
Now TV in 4k
Unlike the other platforms, Now TV 4K is only available through a Now Smart Box. While the likes of Netflix and Amazon seem to be following a path of complete integration with smart TVs, Now TV appears to have fallen behind the giant powerhouses of online streaming by introducing an external device.
However, this device could transform a standard TV into one with features that a smart TV would provide. Unfortunately, they come with an additional cost to your Now TV subscription, and to access the 4K content, you will have to pay premium prices.
Apple TV in 4K
Another streaming platform offering big hoops to jump through to watch 4K is Apple TV. To access this content, you will need either a select Samsung smart TV manufactured after 2018 or an external portable device like Now TV.
You will also need an Apple TV+ subscription, which comes at an additional cost. They offer plenty of content, but without a Samsung TV or external device, you cannot access them through the apps.
Luckily we have plenty of discount Samsung smart TVs at fantastic prices, so if you tend to watch a lot of Apple TV, be sure to pick up a unit that can offer the content you love in 4K.
A Smart TV for 4K
We offer a variety of TVs, from LED to 8K and even cheap LED 3D TVs. If you want to upgrade to 4K, we have a great selection of 4K TVs available online, which are much more affordable than many other large retailers. Alternatively, you can visit our warehouse in Birmingham, where our expert staff will point you in the right direction to your new smart TV.
