Platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video don’t currently offer 8K support. And Blu-ray films are still capped at a 4K resolution. This can be a little disheartening, especially for those planning on upgrading their TV. In fact, it might be enough to tempt you away from grabbing an 8K TV.
However, though there is more 4K content than 8K content, this doesn’t mean that there’s nothing at all. Plenty of web-based platforms offer 8K content that can be streamed directly to a compatible TV. Is YouTube included among these platforms? Can you access 8K content on the world’s favourite video-sharing platform?
Our Reliant tech experts aren’t just masters of TV hardware. They also know what content can help you to make the most of your TV. So with their help, let’s find out whether there is 8K content available on YouTube!
Does YouTube Have 8K Content?
Yes. YouTube is actually one of the premier platforms for accessing 8K content. Content on YouTube can be streamed at a number of different resolutions. A lot of content on the platform is curated with 8K in mind.
YouTube is a platform that allows users to curate and upload their own content. This means that it’s a truly vast, and theoretically endless resource of entertainment. Many hours of 8K content have been uploaded to the platform, covering all kinds of genres. From comedy videos to nature footage, there’s always something to watch on the platform.
YouTube has an abundance of 8K content. It’s one of the best platforms to head to to make the most of an 8K display. This puts the platform ahead of a number of competing streaming platforms.
YouTube is especially perfect for making the most of an 8K TV. If you want to show off what 8K can achieve, then we’d recommend taking a look at some of the atmospheric 8K videos that have been uploaded to the platform. They’re often filled with intricate details and an array of colours. When paired with HDR support, it makes for a total visual treat!
How Do You Access 8K On YouTube?
Of course, in order to access 8K resolutions on YouTube you’ll first need to find a compatible video. Not all YouTube videos are available in 8K. You’ll know that a video is 8K, as it will be marked with a small grey “8K” label.
Once you’ve found an appropriate video, all you need to do is open it! If your internet connection is strong enough, and you have a compatible display, the resolution will be set to 8K. In order to make the most of 8K resolutions, you should aim to have a download speed of around 50mbps. If YouTube notices that your internet speed is too low, it will automatically lower the resolution, so that the video can play without constant buffering.
If you want to crank up the resolution yourself, you can easily do so using the controls on the video. Just know that if you boost the resolution when your internet speed can’t catch up, the video will need to buffer more frequently.
If you are accessing YouTube through an external device, you’ll need to make sure you’ve connected it right. You’ll need an HDMI 2.1 cable to be able to stream in 8K resolutions. Without the requisite cable, YouTube content will be capped at a 4K resolution.
Can You Upscale YouTube Content?
One of the greatest benefits of 8K TVs is their inclusion of upscaling technology. This technology allows you to improve the resolution of content with minimal effort. All of the upscaling is carried out on the front end, by the TV itself. It’s not perfect, but it can be used to make your content look better. Best of all, it can be used on Youtube videos.
Not every YouTube video is available in 8K. As such, you can easily use 8K upscaling to improve the way these videos look. 8K upscaling isn’t perfect, but it helps to make older content look brand new!
As we mentioned, upscaling is carried out by the TV’s processor. This means that it can be performed on absolutely any type of content.
We also mentioned that it’s not perfect. Part of the upscaling process involves the TV finding a way to improve the image. It uses context clues to create an accurate upscaling job. Sometimes, however, it doesn’t get it right. It’s a technology still in its infancy, but it can be used to really make YouTube content shine!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does YouTube Have 8K Content?
Yes. In fact, YouTube is easily the best platform to head to when looking for 8K content. Its library of content is entirely user-curated, so there’s some truly creative content on there. YouTube also handily marks 8K videos as “8K”, so you’ll be able to easily find them at a glance.
How Do I Force 8K On YouTube?
YouTube will seek to automatically display content at the best resolution. This will depend on the resolution of your chosen display and your internet connection speed. In order to stream YouTube at 8K automatically, you’ll need a 50mbps internet speed at least. You can force YouTube to display in 8K by choosing your preferred resolution from the user interface. However, streaming at 8K with a slow connection will result in constant buffering!
Is YouTube 4K Really 4K?
Absolutely. YouTube is one of the best resources to turn to to find UHD content. Content on the platform is created by its users, and it allows users to upload content at these higher resolutions. 4K content really does play at a 4K resolution. So it can really help you to make the most of a 4K TV.
