Understanding 4K Streaming: Is Ultra HD Worth It?

Rosslyn Elliott / Updated Mar 18, 2024 | Pub. Mar 18, 2024

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Are you craving a truly cinematic viewing experience? Tired of blurry or murky video?

4K streaming will bring crystal-clear, lifelike movies and sports right in your living room. But is it worth the investment?

How did we get from Standard Definition to 4K?

Once upon a time, people loved to brag about the physical size of their TV sets.

Back in the 1980s, a “home movie theater” often depended on a gigantic, heavy TV box that could weigh hundreds of pounds [1]. The image quality was shockingly low by today’s standards.

But the invention of LCD technology for TV monitors changed everything [2].

Now, we don’t just talk about TV screen size. We also talk about image quality, which depends on high resolution.

Before the early 2000s, all television was lower resolution. U. S. households used Standard Definition (SD) TVs and broadcasts were all in SD.

By 2006, 34% of U.S. households had switched to High Definition (HD) TVs [3].

After the FCC required that TV stations use only digital TV signals in 2009, it only took until 2014 for all major TV broadcasts to change to a High Definition (HD) format [4, 5].

And HD technology continued to advance during the next decade. Now, we can choose 4K streaming, also known as Ultra HD.

Old television set with cathode ray technology before HD streaming

Digital TV replaced analog TV

What is 4K Streaming?

4K streaming is the best video quality that is widely available in today’s market.

4K packs an astonishing 8.3 megapixels into every frame. With over 8 million pixels, 4K videos look incredibly sharp, vivid, and detailed – even on larger screens.

So why is why 4K streaming so much better? Let’s run through the different types of video streaming that came before it and may follow it.

Standard Definition (SD)

Standard definition (SD, or 480p) is the lowest quality, delivering only 0.3 megapixels per frame. It still works for older devices, but SD content looks blurry, pixelated, and outdated by today’s standards.

High Definition (HD)

An upgrade from SD, HD (or 720p) stepped up the game with 0.9 megapixels. A solid option for most modern devices, HD still can’t match the crispness of higher resolutions on larger displays.

Full HD

Entering the realm of Full HD (1080p), we rise to 2.1 megapixels – a significant leap in image quality. This resolution remains the industry standard for many streaming services and broadcasts.

4K or Ultra HD

4K/Ultra UD (2160p) took a big leap beyond the quality of Full HD. 4K quadrupled the number of pixels per frame by introducing 8.3 megapixels. When you are used to Full HD, a change to 4K is almost shocking. It’s like having a window to another 3D reality.

8K – The Next Frontier?

8K is not yet widely available for streaming, but 8K is the future frontier with a staggering 33.2 megapixels. But there is very little content available in 8K, so your choice is really between Full HD and 4K Ultra HD right now.

Many experts do not even think 8K will be very useful, as the quality of 4K is already so high that 8K won’t make a difference on ordinary-sized home TV screens. Will Greenwald of PC Magazine reported that “the TV industry itself has cooled significantly on 8K as a viable consumer product category” [6].

Screen Resolution	Vertical Pixels	Horizontal Pixels	Megapixels per Frame
Standard Definition (SD)	480p	720p	0.3 million
High Definition (HD)	720p	1280p	0.9 million
Full HD	1080p	1920p	2.1 million
4K Ultra HD	2160p	3840p – 4096p	8.3 million
8K Ultra HD	4320p	7680p	33.2 million

How did 4K get its name?

One more thing: why is Ultra HD called 4K? What does that number have to do with anything about the technology?

Well, technology labels like to get tricky. So, our resolutions given in pixels in the above list (460p, 720p, 1080p, 2160p), are all based on the VERTICAL pixel count for each type of definition.

But just to confuse everybody, the industry decided to base the name “4K” on its HORIZONTAL pixel count.

You know that “K” is the standard abbreviation for “thousand.” So, when you see the term 4K, it means “4 thousand” and refers to the approximate horizontal pixel count for each frame.

So, the resolution is about 4,000p x 2160p.

But however they slice and dice the numbers for labels, 4K’s resolution is way, way higher than Full HD.

Factors that Affect Streaming Resolution

To unlock 4K’s full potential, three key factors must align: the source, your device, and a robust internet speed.

Your Source of 4K Programming

The source, whether it’s Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, or other streaming platforms, plays a crucial role in determining if 4K content is available. Not all sources offer 4K streaming, and even those that do may only have a limited selection of 4K titles. Additionally, some platforms may charge extra fees for accessing their 4K content libraries.

Your Digital Device

Your streaming device, whether it’s a smart TV, streaming stick, gaming console, or another device, needs to be compatible with 4K resolution and have a 4K display. Not all devices support 4K streaming or have 4K displays, even if they’re relatively new models. Older devices may not have the necessary hardware or software to handle 4K content.

Your Internet Speed

A robust internet connection with sufficient speed is crucial for enjoying buffer-free 4K streaming. Slower speeds may result in buffering, resolution downscaling, or other issues that can compromise the 4K viewing experience. See our complete internet speed guide for more on ideal speeds.

LCD screens led to HD

Benefits of 4K Resolution

Why go to the expense of 4K? If you have 4K with High Dynamic Range color, here are some of the improvements you will see as long as your TV is large enough.

Unparalleled image quality with striking detail, vibrant colors, and incredible clarity – no more squinting! Screens below 65 inches will mostly show color improvement, which does give a more realistic, vivid image.
An immersive, cinema-like experience adapted for your screen size and viewing distance.
Access to a vast 4K content library, from the latest releases to remastered classics.
Future-proofing as 4K becomes the new norm for video.

Which Platforms Offer 4K Streaming?

The biggest streaming players are already on the 4K train, though content availability and pricing vary:

Netflix – A pioneer with many original 4K TV shows and 4K movie streaming
YouTube – User uploads and YouTube Originals in 4K. YouTube TV offers all 4K movie streaming for devices that support it
Amazon Prime Video – Original and licensed 4K titles
Hulu – Limited 4K content for regular subscribers
Disney+ – Flagship shows and movies in 4K.
Max (formerly HBO Max) – over 1000 movies and TV shows in 4K

Woman enjoying 4K movie streaming from Netflix

Streaming platforms offer 4K

Best 4K Streaming Devices

While smart TVs and gaming consoles also offer 4K streaming capabilities, you might want a dedicated streaming device like a streaming stick or set-top box. They can provide a user-friendly solution for 4K video streaming. These devices include:

Amazon Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube
Apple TV 4K (5th generation or newer)
Chromecast with Google TV
Roku Streaming Stick+ 4K, Roku Express 4K+, Roku Ultra, Roku Streambar Pro

Compact and Portable

One of the biggest advantages of streaming sticks is their ultra-compact and portable design. These HDMI-enabled devices can easily be moved between TVs or taken with you when traveling, allowing you to access your 4K streaming services anywhere with an HDMI port.

Regular Software Updates

Unlike smart TVs, which may receive infrequent software updates, streaming devices from companies like Roku, Amazon, Apple, and Google are regularly updated with new features and app support. This ensures your streaming experience remains current and compatible with the latest 4K content and streaming platforms.

User-Friendly Interfaces

These dedicated streaming devices often have more user-friendly and intuitive interfaces compared to smart TV platforms, making it easier to navigate and find 4K content across various streaming services.

Platform Diversity

With options like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Chromecast, you can choose the streaming platform that best suits your existing ecosystem and preferences. Your platforms may be deeply integrated with Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s ecosystem, Google’s services, or a more neutral platform like Roku.

Streaming devices are user-friendly

Best 4K TVs

If you’re in the market for a new television, go big with these 4K marvels:

LG CX OLED – Exceptional OLED display with infinite contrast and wide viewing angles.
Samsung Q80T QLED – Quantum dot technology for brilliant colors and brightness.
Sony X900H – X-Reality PRO for upscaling non-4K content with minimal quality loss.
TCL 6-Series – An affordable 4K HDR option that doesn’t compromise performance.
Vizio P-Series Quantum – Intense brightness and local dimming for stunning HDR.

Best 4K Gaming Console

4K gaming consoles can either bring you 4K games or allow you 4K movie streaming from other platforms. Immerse yourself in hyper-realistic worlds with:

PlayStation 5 – Sony’s powerhouse with ray tracing, 120Hz output, and 4K Blu-ray.
Xbox Series X – Microsoft’s 4K/120fps monster with Dolby Vision and Atmos sound.
PlayStation 4 Pro – An affordable way to enjoy 4K gaming on the PlayStation ecosystem.

XBox Series X logo

Tips for Successful 4K Streaming

To ensure a flawless 4K experience, keep these tips in mind:

Have a stable, fast internet connection (25+ Mbps for 4K).
Connect your streaming device via Ethernet for maximum reliability.
Enable the highest video quality settings in your streaming apps.
Upgrade to a 4K-capable HDMI cable if you haven’t already.
Adjust your TV’s picture settings for an optimal 4K viewing mode.

So, is Ultra HD worth taking the plunge? If you cherish great visuals, and you have a TV of at least 55 inches with HDR as well as 4K, the answer is yes.

If you need to upgrade your internet plan for better 4K streaming, you can get everything you need to compare internet providers here on our site. Just enter your zip code for a full list of plans/providers in your area.

Fiber-optic internet lights glowing green

Fiber internet supports 4K streaming

FAQs: Is 4K Worth It?

Do I need 4K if I have a smaller TV?

While larger screens benefit most, 4K still provides a noticeable boost in quality on reasonably sized displays. What most people don’t know is that the improvement on screens below 65 inches is usually more related to color. 4K TVs with High Dynamic Range (HDR) have a wider color range than Full Definition TVs. To be able to detect an improvement in resolution, you may need a screen of 65 inches or larger [7].

Will 4K make my internet bill skyrocket?

Not necessarily – most broadband plans can handle 4K if you have a fast connection. So, as long as you don’t have data caps, you won’t have to worry about it. If you do have a data allowance, you will need to keep an eye on your monthly data usage. Some connections such as satellite internet simply can’t support 4K streaming. Fiber internet or cable internet will usually handle Ultra HD quite well.

Can I watch 4K on the go?

Unfortunately, mobile devices typically don’t support 4K streaming due to hardware and bandwidth limitations. 4K is designed for the home theater experience.