A COMMON cable mistake might be getting in the way of a picture-perfect streaming experience – but Netflix has solutions.
The streaming giant wants its customers to watch their favorite shows and movies in the best quality possible, whether that’s HD, 4K Ultra HD, or HDR.
While the terms may seem synonymous, they all describe a different television feature.
For example, 4K is the highest-resolution signal for in-home movies and TV.
Ultra HD, or Ultra High Definition, describes a resolution with more pixels, better color, and higher frame rates than high-definition TV alone.
Meanwhile, HDR, or High Dynamic Range, achieves a stark contrast between the brightest whites and blackest blacks.
Ultra HD 4K resolution – the best quality possible – is only available through the Netflix Premium plan.
And while your TV may be able to support a crystal-clear picture, a frequent hardware mistake could be getting in the way.
If you’re using a streaming stick or another device, you can connect it directly to your TV using an HDMI cable.
Premium plan subscribers must use Premium High Speed HDMI or Ultra High Speed HDMI cables to achieve the best quality. The cable type is often printed on the ends of the cable.
For 4K or HDR streaming, ensure devices and cables are plugged into an HDMI port on your TV that supports HDCP 2.2 or later.
If there is more than one port, they will be numbered. The HDMI 1 port typically supports HDCP 2.2.
If a device or cable doesn’t meet all requirements for a particular TV quality, Netflix will default to the highest quality possible.
There are other ways to improve your picture quality too.
For starters, make sure the cables and the ports they’re plugged into support the quality afforded by your Netflix plan.
Users who don’t want to shell out $22.99 a month can opt for the cheaper Standard and ad-supported plans – but these only support full HD streaming.
Premium plan users watching Netflix on a TV with a streaming stick and an audio receiver must check that all three devices can support 4K or HDR.
All devices must also have the latest software and video resolution settings equal to or greater than the desired picture quality.
You can also check Playback Settings under your Netflix profile to ensure the default settings haven’t switched to a lower quality.
For 4K resolution or 1080P HD, data usage should be set to High or Auto.
The “details ” page for each show or movie will include a video quality label showing the highest quality available for your device.
It is worth noting that some users will only see one video quality label even if more than one applies on some TVs.
Netflix also encourages customers to check their Internet connection, as content will play at a lower quality on slow or unstable connections.
Here's the current selection...
Standard with Adverts – $6.99
Standard – $15.49
Premium – $22.99
