4K & HDR explained

[Peter_S.]

What are 4K and HDR?

4k resolution explained

4K is a common name for a resolution with has about 4000 pixels horizontally. The resolution of an image or TV screen is the number of pixels that make up that image. The more pixels an image has, the sharper and more detailed it will be.

A 4K picture has a resolution of about 8,290,000 pixels, which is 4 times that of full high definition (2K). Even when viewed on a large screen, it achieves high definition picture quality down to the smallest details and reproduces realistic details and textures. 4K may also be called Ultra HD (UHD) because it has a higher picture quality than high definition (HD).

2K	4K

HDR explained

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range, which can render brightness in a wider range than normal pictures. The higher standard of brightness that can be displayed allows for high contrast pictures and detailed colours.
Normal picture HDR picture

Image of normal picture	Image of HDR picture

Does my TV support 4K or HDR?

About 4K

If your TV has a resolution of horizontal 3,840 x vertical 2,160 pixels or higher, you can enjoy 4K content via HDMI devices, USB storage, and online. To watch high definition 4K Enhanced format content via HDMI, you must set up your TV. We explain how to do so in the section "Enjoying 4K/HDR via HDMI " below.

Did you know? If your TV also supports 4K X Reality Pro, non-4K content is automatically upscaled to 4K resolution by increasing the definition through super-resolution processing. In easier terms, it's boosting an image that isn't 4k quality to near 4k quality.

About HDR

Depending on your TV, you may need to update to the latest firmware.

If your TV supports HDR10, you can enjoy HDR content from Ultra HD Blu-ray (UHD BD) and streaming services.
If your TV supports Dolby Vision, you can enjoy higher-quality Dolby Vision content. Refer to the FAQs below for details about HDR format support for your TV.

• What are the compatible HDR (High Dynamic Range) formats on my Android TV™?
• What are the compatible HDR formats on my TV (other than Android TV)?
• If your TV also supports the HDR Remaster feature, non-HDR content is automatically upscaled into a more realistic HDR picture. So just like 4K upscaling, HDR upscaling is possible too!

How do I set up my TV for 4K or HDR content?

You can enjoy 4K and HDR content once you have confirmed that your TV supports 4K and HDR.
The required procedure depends on the content source and your TV.

Refer to the items below according to the type of content you want to watch.

Enjoying 4K/HDR with online services

Spoiler

Streaming services such as Netflix, YouTube™, and Prime Video provide a huge amount of 4K and HDR supported content. To enjoy them, check the following four points.

1. Does your subscription service support 4K?
   To enjoy 4K content with some services such as Netflix, you must subscribe to a specific plan such as a premium plan.

2. Does the content you watch support 4K/HDR?
   To enjoy 4K, you must select content that supports 4K (UHD). To enjoy HDR, you must select content that supports HDR (HDR10 or Dolby Vision). Be especially careful when purchasing content.

3. Is the picture setting of the streaming service set to auto or high?
   If the picture setting of the streaming service app is not set to auto or high, you cannot enjoy 4K/HDR content at the best quality.

4. Is your network fast enough?
   If your network is not fast enough, you cannot enjoy 4K/HDR content at the best quality. The required network speed depends on the service.

The required settings depend on the streaming service. For details, refer to the help site of your desired service.
To enjoy a streaming service via an HDMI device such as a Fire TV Stick or set-top box, refer to the section Enjoying 4K/HDR via HDMI below.

Enjoying 4K/HDR via HDMI

Spoiler

Select the type of device connected to the TV.
4K Enhanced format supporting devices(e.g. Ultra HD BD player, PlayStation 4 Pro)

Spoiler

If you want to enjoy high definition 4K HDR content (Enhanced format*) such as PS4 Pro video games and Ultra HD BD movies, a bit of preparation is required. Examples of enhanced formats are *4K (50, 60 Hz) of YCbCr 4:4:4, YCbCr 4:2:2, YCbCr 4:2:0 / 10bit, RGB, etc.

1. Use a Premium High-Speed HDMI cable which supports 18Gbps.
2. Confirm that your TV and HDMI input support the Enhanced format.
3. Set the input connected to the HDMI device to Enhanced format.

For details, refer to the following article: How do I view 4K (50/60p) and HDR contents from an external HDMI device connected to Android TV? You can also enjoy video games without time lag by setting Picture Mode to Game. For details, refer to: How to reduce input lag for Game

Other 4K or HDR supporting devices (e.g. 4K video camera)

Spoiler

Even if you do not have a Premium High-Speed HDMI cable, you can still enjoy 4K video and HDR without an Enhanced format. (such as 4K 30p video recorded with a 4K video camera) Prepare a High-Speed HDMI* cable and connect the TV’s HDMI input to an HDMI device that supports 4K and HDR. *To watch 4K video, you need an HDMI cable that supports the HDMI 2.0 standard or higher. Remember:

• You might have to check the 4K or HDR Settings of the device you're connecting. Refer to the Operating Instructions of that device to see if the settings are correct. 
• To enjoy content protected by the HDCP 2.2 format, you must use an HDMI input that supports it.
  However, all inputs on 4K Android TVs support that format. For more information, check this article: Is my 4K/8K BRAVIA TV compatible with HDCP 2.2?
  ＊HDCP stands for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, which is a standard that restricts copying via HDMI.

Enjoying 4K/HDR via USB

Spoiler

Enjoying 4K/HDR videos and still images saved in USB storage is very easy. Just connect the USB storage containing the 4K/HDR content to the TV's USB port. You can automatically playback movies and still images at the optimum picture quality.