Remember HDTV? Full 1080p? Well those days are long gone, baby! Now 4k is the minimum acceptable definition you want to watch anything. Otherwise, what are you doing with your eyes?
4K is also known as UHD (“Ultra High Definition”) or 2160p (that’s double 1080p for you math whizzes out there). It means that the screen you are watching is made up of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels. Right now, most new TV sets and computer monitors support this resolution, but you need to take a few extra steps to make sure that the content you’re watching is actually coming through in all its 4K glory.
First, make sure the platform you are streaming from actually supports 4K. For instance, HBO Max only recently started streaming 4K content, and if you’re using a FireTV Stick, you need to make sure you have a 4K model. Netflix will make you upgrade your plan for the full UHD experience.
Then you need to check that the show you want to watch comes in 4K. Some older shows haven’t been up-converted, and sometimes you have an option to choose the HD version or the 4K version.
Finally, make sure all your cables, connections, and ports support 4K. Some TV’s only have specific HDMI ports for 4K, so be sure to plug in accordingly. Happy streaming!
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