Netflix has talked about 4K streaming on several occasions, and they now confirm that 4K streaming will launch in 2014 with House of Cards season 2. Only Smart TVs will be able to handle Netflix’s 4K layer initially, but game consoles and media boxes will come later. Netflix will announce details at CES 2014, according to Stuff.tv.

Netflix starts streaming in 4K in 2014
Netflix will be push 4K – also called Ultra HD – into the mainstream. The new technology will launch in 2014 with the release of the second season of hit series House of Cards. However, Netflix stresses that it will take time to build a catalogue of 4K material.

Only TV apps in Smart TVs with 4K resolution will be able to handle Netflix’s 4K streaming initially. Game consoles such as PlayStation 4 and Xbox One will not support it initially due to issues with copyright protection and HDMI 2.0.


Netflix demonstrated 4K streaming one year ago, and at CES 2014 they will introduce the new technology

- "The new game consoles may eventually be 4K-capable, but the ability to take 4K out of the box and drop it into a separate television is lacking some standards and HDMI 2.0, and it's just a little premature. So we probably will see that, but right now we're talking about 4K Netflix built into the smart TV." says Neil Hunt, Netflix’s Chief Product Officer to Stuff.tv

Netflix also promises to focus on other aspects of the Ultra HD standard than just the number of pixels. When creating future original TV series, they will begin experimenting with higher frame rates and the larger color gamut that the Ultra HD standard supports. Neil Hunt expects Netflix to begin offering content with higher frame rates in 2015, and content with better colors in 2015 or 2016.

Netflix will announce more details about their 4K plans at CES 2014 in Las Vegas. FlatpanelsHD is in Vegas. Smart TV makers will also announce their plans for Netflix’s 4K streaming at CES.

- Source: Stuff.tv