The only problem is, in order to make the most of your new 4K TV, you’re going to need a healthy stable of 4K content to take advantage of it. Otherwise, what’s the point of forking over the money for such a high-tech device?
Here at Reliant, we’ve been obsessed with 4K TVs ever since they were first released in the early 2010s, and we’ve found an impressive range of content that takes full advantage of these amazing screens. Want to find out what this content is? Dive in down below!
What Is The Best 4K Content?
Though it may initially be tough to find 4K content to take advantage of your swanky new 4K TV, you can rest assured that there is plenty out there. However, don’t let yourself feel daunted by the sheer number of options, because we have combed through it all to find the absolute best.
4K Gaming
If you’re an avid gamer, then opting for a 4K TV is one of the best choices you could possibly make! As gaming technology continues to advance, and visual fidelity and graphical detail continue to improve, you’ll want to make sure to stay ahead of the curve.
Modern systems like the PlayStation 5, or the Xbox Series X are able to produce lifelike graphics that look even more stunning when displayed on a 4K TV. And luckily, modern systems are already fully equipped to output at 4K resolutions!
If you’re planning on diving into the greatest digital worlds in 4K, then we recommend grabbing yourself a high-speed HDMI cable. Though it may appear similar to a standard HDMI cable, it is truly essential when it comes to transmitting 4K imagery from console to screen.
There are so many different kinds of games to play that take advantage of 4K resolutions. Immersive single-player games that recreate photorealistic landscapes, or more cartoon-inspired games that make full use of the colour spectrums rendered by 4K displays. A 4K TV can even help you to dominate the competition in the hottest online games, allowing you to make out opponents across larger distances in fast-paced FPS games.
4K UHD Blu Ray
Any good 4K TV worth its salt needs to be able to display the hottest blockbusters in crystal clarity, and easily one of the best ways to enjoy a film is through 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
When standard Blu-Rays were first introduced in 2006, they revolutionised the experience of watching films from home, by allowing films to play in native 1080p HD. However, in 2016, Blu-Rays became even better with the release of 4K Ultra HD Blu-Rays.
Though you will need to purchase a 4K UHD-compatible Blu-Ray player, or a 4K compatible console in order to play the disks, the investment is fully worth it.
4K UHD Blu-Rays are great for those with limited internet access, who want to enjoy the best content throughout the year. In order to stream 4K content, you will need a very strong and reliable internet connection, so 4K UHD Blu-Rays work perfectly.
For any film buffs looking to create the ultimate set-up, look no further than 4K UHD Blu-Ray, as not only do they provide much greater visual clarity, but also far greater sound. When films or TV shows are streamed online, the soundtracks are very often compressed down, in order to be streamed. Thanks to the technology of 4K UHD Blu-Ray discs, soundtracks are able to play at their best, with totally lossless sound! With these amazing discs, you can easily make use of the speakers built into your smart TV, and create a truly immersive film-watching experience.
4K YouTube Videos
One of the greatest online repositories for visual content is also one of the most comprehensive repositories of 4K and even 8K content to enjoy on your new UHD TV.
YouTube allows its users to upload content in a vast array of resolutions, from more standard 720p, all of the way to eye-popping 8K. And because YouTube is entirely user-curated, it is a great place to find incredibly diverse content that will display natively in 4K.
With YouTube, you can enjoy classic music videos bumped up to 4K, so you can take a trip down memory lane, or even watch the latest blockbuster trailers in 4K, to prepare yourself for the big screen! And don’t forget to also take a look at some of the great independent filmmakers charting a course on the platform, all in 4K!
The best thing about YouTube is that it is totally free to use. Though you will need a stable internet connection to access 4K content, most of the content can be enjoyed free of charge. For a charge, you can also access entire films in 4K resolution, making YouTube a great all-in-one platform.
If you can imagine it, there’s 4K content of it on YouTube! From tech demos to show off the splendour of your 4K screen, to updated 80s music videos, theres’s something for every 4K TV!
Auto-Upscaled Content
If you’ve upgraded from a standard 1080p TV to a 4K display, you don’t need to worry about missing out on all of your favourite content. Most 4K TVs and smart TVs offer automatic upscaling as an option.
Automatic upscaling is a smart feature that allows a 4K TV to take standard HD content, usually displayed at 1080p, and then stretch it out to the full resolution of a 4K screen. Don’t worry, this doesn’t result in a washed-out and blurry image, as upscaling will seek to automatically optimise the image so that standard HD content appears 4K-native!
It’s still very much a work in progress, but with each year, auto-upscaling programs become more and more effective.
How To Access Auto-Upscaled Content
Luckily, most 4K TVs and 8K TVs come with upscaling automatically activated, so they are ready to instantly bump up content to greater resolutions. However, not all TVs come with upscaling automatically switched on, and sometimes you might find that your content looks better without upscaling.
If you want to toggle the auto-upscaling on your TV, then you will want to head to the system settings. The unique settings can differ depending on the model of TV you are using, so be sure to consult a search engine to find out about your specific model.
Which Streaming Services Offer The Best 4K Content?
Of course, streaming totally revolutionised both the film and television industries, and totally changed the way in which we enjoy content from the comfort of our living rooms. If you’ve grabbed a new 4K TV, or you are planning on it, then breathe a sign of relief, because many of the biggest streaming services online offer an array of 4K content. Let’s take a look at which ones!
Netflix
Perhaps the king of all streaming platforms, and the trend-setter for streaming itself, Netflix is easily leading the charge when it comes to 4K content. Though you will need to opt for the ‘Premium’ Netflix subscription plan to access 4K content, there is a vast array of content to make the price worth it.
The vast majority of Netflix streaming titles, from their original television shows, like Stranger Things, and original films like Bird Box, to licensed content, are available to stream in 4K.
If you’re ever in doubt as to whether Netflix content is streaming in 4K, all you need to do is grab your remote or game controller and hit the appropriate ‘Info’ button while watching a film or show. This will bring up a small text box that will show you the bitrate at which the content is streaming. You will want to check that the bitrate is around 2160.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is one of the world’s most popular streaming services, thanks to the fact that it is offered as part of the larger Amazon Prime subscription, which offers 1-day delivery on products. Another reason why Amazon Prime Video is so popular is because it offers a vast stable of 4K content, without the need for a separate subscription tier!
Amazon Prime Video has a wide selection of original films and TV shows, all available to be streamed at 4K resolutions, as well as a number of licensed titles available to stream for free as part of the Prime subscription.
Perhaps most exciting of all, Amazon Prime Video also offers access to most major digitally released films, for an extra charge. Not only can you enjoy the best of Amazon original titles in 4K, but you can also rent or purchase brand-new blockbuster films as soon as they are available for digital release!
Amazon Prime Video is absolutely essential for 4K TV owners, and is a great way to make the most of the largest 98 inch TV, so you can feel like you have stepped into your local cinema, from the comfort of your sofa!
Disney+
Disney+ is another great streaming service that does not require you to upgrade your subscription to access 4K content. In fact, Disney+ will automatically output content at resolutions that match the device it is streaming to! So, if you are streaming from a 4K TV, you can rest assured that content will automatically play at its very best!
If your 4K TV has significant sound capabilities, then you will definitely want to take advantage of Disney+, as it offers a range of audio quality features, and support for various audio formats, including support for Dolby Atmos sound! If you have a Samsung 4K TV, then you may be able to make the most of this upgraded sound option!
Some streaming services require an upgraded subscription to access 4K content. Be sure to carefully consider the cost of certain streaming services, to be sure they’re right for you.
Nature documentaries are great showcases of the benefits of 4K resolutions. We’ve all seen those large TVs in tech stores, cycling through vibrant nature footage. And you can rest assured that Disney+ is not lacking in great nature content. As part of your subscription to Disney+, you will also gain access to a library of National Geographic content that brings the wonders of the natural world right into your living room!
Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus is a rather young name in the world of streaming, but in its short time, it has already begun making significant waves. With access to a complete library of Paramount titles, this subscription service is another essential for film buffs looking to enjoy the best of the big screen. To make it even more essential, Paramount Plus also offers a large number of 4K titles, to bring the cinema experience into the home!
In order to access 4K content on Paramount Plus, you will need to make sure that you have subscribed to the higher subscription tier, and that you have a strong internet connection. However, with such a vast array of films on the platform, we can assure you that it is worth it!
BBC iPlayer
One of the most essential streaming services in the UK is the iconic BBC iPlayer, allowing you to keep up with the best of broadcast television whenever you want to watch it. iPlayer is populated with original BBC content, as well as a number of licensed films and TV shows, making it a very diverse platform to utilise.
Best of all, many of the most popular iPlayer titles are available to stream in 4K, so you can keep up with the best that BBC has to offer without missing out on any visual fidelity. Binge-worthy boxsets like Peaky Blinders and jaw-dropping nature documentaries like Blue Planet II are all waiting to be enjoyed in their true resolution!
Just make sure that you have a TV license before attempting to stream 4K content on BBC iPlayer!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Enjoy My 4K TV?
Generally, the best way to enjoy your 4K TV is simply to watch the best content on it! There is a vast array of content available across the web that can help you to take full advantage of the visual fidelity of your new 4K screen. From movies to TV shows, and music videos to video games, there is so much 4K content out there to enjoy.
Why Do People Like 4K?
One of the main reasons why people enjoy 4K is simply that 4K displays are able to offer far greater visual fidelity than screens with lower resolutions! If you’ve been using a 1080p TV for the last few years, then you will be delighted with the upgrade to 4K, and the fidelity that it can achieve!
Is 4K Outdated?
Although 4K has been usurped by the visually superior 8K resolution, it would be wrong to say that 4K is outdated. Many of the year’s biggest films see high numbers of sales on UHD Blu-Rays, and 4K streaming is going from strength to strength, with more streaming platforms adopting 4K technology in film and TV production.
Is 4K Overkill?
4K would certainly be overkill if implemented into a screen that is too small. Larger TV screens benefit the most from 4K resolution, as there is more room for the pixels to spread out and deliver amazing imagery. If you want to go for a 4K TV, we would highly recommend that you opt for a larger display, to make the most of it.
