HD, Full HD and 4K: the difference
| Name | Resolution | Typical stream needs |
|---|---|---|
| HD (720p) | 1280 × 720 | About 5 Mbps |
| Full HD / FHD (1080p) | 1920 × 1080 | About 8 to 10 Mbps |
| 4K / Ultra HD / UHD | 3840 × 2160 | About 25 Mbps |
Resolution is only part of it. Bitrate, frame rate (50fps matters for UK sport) and HDR make as much difference to how good a picture looks.
The 4K checklist
To see 4K, all five must be true:
- The channel or title is actually 4K. Most live channels are HD. 4K is usually limited to selected channels, events and films. Our 4K content: 4K channels/titles and plan.
- Your plan includes it. 4K Ultra is 4K on every length, and Premium UK adds 4K on 12 months or longer. See compare plans.
- Your TV is 4K, and the HDMI port supports 4K HDR (often labelled HDMI 2.0 or 2.1, or “4K@60”).
- Your device outputs 4K. For example a Fire TV Stick 4K or 4K Max, Apple TV 4K, a Google TV Streamer or the TV’s own app. The basic Fire TV Stick is HD only. See devices.
- Your broadband sustains about 25 Mbps for that screen, at peak times.
Getting the best picture
- Use Ethernet for the 4K TV if at all possible.
- Enable “HDMI Ultra HD Deep Colour” (Samsung: Input Signal Plus; LG: HDMI Ultra HD Deep Colour) on the port your device uses.
- Match frame rate on Apple TV or TiviMate for smoother sport.
- Turn down motion smoothing, or use Filmmaker Mode for films.
Audio and surround sound
Where a channel or film carries Dolby Digital (5.1) audio, your player app can pass it to a soundbar or AV receiver. Turn on audio passthrough in the app’s settings and set the device’s audio output to Dolby Digital or Auto. Not all content carries surround sound.
Is 8K worth it?
Not for IPTV, yet. See 8K IPTV: what is actually available?