Netflix has quietly added 6 short clips in 4K resolution and frame rates from 24 to 60 fps to its streaming catalogue. The move shows that Netflix is technically prepared for 4K streaming that they intend to launch next year.
Netflix will introduce 4K in 2014
Earlier this week, Netflix added 6 short clips in 4K resolution. All 6 clips contain the same scene that Netflix also used to demonstrate 4K streaming during CES 2013.
Netflix and Samsung demonstrated 4K streaming from Netflix during CES 2013
The 6 test clips are available to try with 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50 and 59.94 Hz (frames per second), respectively. However, none of the current players available on the market (PS3, Xbox, Apple TV, Roku etc) will let you pull down 4K, and you obviously also need a 4K TV. Even when using a PC/Mac you will not be able to pull down 4K resolution through the web browser, as it uses the Silverlight plugin that does not support 4K. Still, if you are interested you can find the test clips here (only on US Netflix)
In other words, there is no way to currently test 4K streaming from Netflix right now, but it shows that Netflix is technically capable of delivering 4K streaming. The next step is obviously to create the players, which we expect to hear more about at CES 2014 in January when the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles have launched.
Netflix has repeatedly said that they will launch 4K streaming in 2014. Netflix’s own original TV shows such as House of Cards and Orange is the New Black will be available in 4K, and the wildly-popular Breaking Bad series is being remastered in a 4K version.
- Source: Reddit
Netflix adds 4K test clips, will launch in 2014
