Netflix is now streaming in 4K Ultra HD resolution to Smart TVs that support HEVC and the latest Netflix app. Content includes season 2 of House of Cards and nature documentaries, but the library will be expanded in the future.
Netflix 4K streaming is live
Netflix promised to bring 4K streaming to the masses when we met them at CES 2014 in January. Here it is. No price increases, no special plan required. 4K streaming will be available to everyone with the right hardware.
The second season of House of Cards is one of the titles streaming in 4K. Netflix originally had plans to stream season one, too, but later found out that the clarity of 4K made some parts of the show appear staged, so before filming the second season they made designed all sets with 4K in mind. Other content includes various nature documentaries, says Netflix.
Netflix is using HEVC compression, which is said to be approximately twice as effective as the current mpeg4 (H.264) compression used for streaming. 4K content is streaming with a bit rate of 15.6 Mbps.
Right now, 4K streaming from Netflix is only supported on Smart TVs with the new Netflix app and support for HEVC. Those include 2014 Smart TVs from Samsung, Sony and LG, but FlatpanelsHD can confirm that Panasonic is also working on a solution for the AX800 and AX900 4K TVs.
- Source: HDTVTest & twitter
Netflix's 4K streaming is live with House of Cards
