You can also browse for 4K streaming options online. If you’ve set things up properly, you should see 4K, HDR, and Atmos indicators for supported content.
(The only exception is on Apple TV boxes, where an apparent bug prevents Netflix from properly displaying Atmos support.) With other services, such as Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max, you must select a program first to see what formats it offers. This is easy with Netflix and Amazon Prime: You’ll see icons for Ultra HD, HDR, Dolby Vision, and Atmos as you browse through those apps’ main menus. That means you’ll need to check on individual programs to see if they support those higher-fidelity formats. An even smaller number support HDR, Dolby Atmos, and advanced HDR formats such as Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Using the services above still doesn’t guarantee the best video and audio quality, as most streaming services only offer a subset of their movies and shows in 4K.
(This is especially true for devices with Dolby Vision HDR, which requires 12-bit color depth.) Check the labels on your HDMI ports or consult your TV’s manual for more details.įor Dolby Atmos, you’ll need a compatible soundbar or receiver hooked up to your TV’s HDMI-ARC slot, as the format doesn’t work over an optical cable or 3.5mm audio output (thoses connections just don’t have enough bandwidth to handle the data). You should also connect these devices to your TV’s best HDMI input, because some inputs may not support 4K or the color depth required for HDR. If you want to use an external streaming player with your 4K TV, make sure it supports 4K as well (as the Roku Express 4K+ does) to get the same picture quality. For instance, you’ll need a 4K-compatible streaming player, such as Roku’s Express 4K+ or Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K. The situation gets more complicated as you connect external streaming players to your TV, because now each link in the chain must support 4K and HDR as well.
Just use your smart TV’s built-in software to play some 4K content, and it should work provided you have a fast enough broadband connection. If all you have is a 4K HDR-compatible smart TV with nothing else hooked up to it, you’re in great shape, at least on the video side. Here’s a checklist for making sure you’re getting your money’s worth: Step 1: Check your connections Obtaining the best picture and sound quality requires connecting your hardware in specific ways, using specific streaming services, and watching specific content. Still, buying a fancy 4K HDR TV and Atmos soundbar (or even a full-blown home-theater audio system) doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be watching TV in those formats.