With the availability of 4K content becoming more common amongst online media platforms, you may be wondering if you are able to view your content at the highest quality. Here are a few things to keep in mind when preparing to watch 4K content.
Equipment
You will need to have a media player that is capable of processing 4K content, a 4K compatible cable, and a TV or monitor that is able to display in 4K.
Most media players that are able to process 4K say so in their model name (i.e., Apple TV 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K), but if you are unsure, just refer to your device's documentation or search your device model online.
Not all HDMI cables are the same and with 4K you need a cable with HDMI 2.0 or greater to be able to handle the higher speeds of data transfer to you TV.
Lastly, you will need a 4K compatible TV or monitor. If you're unsure if your TV or monitor is 4k capable, just refer to your user manual or search for your device model online.
Internet Speed
While most internet speeds should be capable of streaming 4K content, you should keep in mind that internet speeds are variable depending on network traffic and usage. In this case, you will want to make sure that your internet speed is higher than the minimum requirements and that any temporary speed drops will not affect your stream.
The minimum network download speed you need to watch in 4K is around 25mbps. Although that may not seem like much, you must take into account the other devices using bandwidth on the same network. If all the devices are streaming 4K or even HD content at the same time, the bandwidth needs can add up fast. Depending on how many devices you have connected to your network and each device's needs, you may need up to and even above 200mbps download speeds to make sure all devices are sharing the network efficiently.
To test your connection speed, head to your favorite speed test site, or you can use www.speedtest.net to see your current internet download and upload speed.s
Internet Speed on Mobile Devices
You may want to stream from a mobile device such as a phone or tablet. Most modern mobile devices are capable of streaming 4K video. Your mobile connection speed will determine your ability to stream reliably. LTE cellular networks average a speed of about 10-30mpbs so they may not be suitable for 4K streaming. If you are connected to a 4G or 5G network, you should be getting a minimum of 30mbps, so 4K streaming is generally possible with devices on those networks.
Closing
Now that you know what devices and speeds you will need to start watching in 4K, we encourage you to go out and find some great content to watch in the highest resolution currently available. If you need any further assistance, don't hesitate to contact us at support@volume.com. Happy streaming!