QUICK FLIXES
Netflix reveals ‘number mistake’ on HDMI port that can ruin your TV quality – and list of common issues with easy fix
There's a list of internet speeds you need to check too
NETFLIX has revealed some of the easiest ways to boost your TV picture quality – and where you might be going wrong.
If you're a Netflix fan, you'll probably be wanting to get the very best image from your shows and movies.
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The quality of your picture when watching Netflix depends on a huge range of factors.
And even simple mistakes can make a big difference – so Netflix has shared some tricks.
"Make sure that you’re watching Netflix in the highest quality possible, whether it's HD, 4K Ultra HD, or with HDR," Netflix explained.
The good news is that it might only take a few seconds to fix some of your TV woes.
QUALITY CONTENT?
First you'll want to know what some of the key terms mean when it comes to Netflix TV quality.
When you're seeing HD, Full HD, and Ultra HD (or 4K), that refers to the resolution of the picture.
The resolution is how many pixels make up the image: the more pixels, the more detail can be crammed into a single frame.
Then there's HDR and Dolby Vision (which is a Dolby-made version of HDR) – both types of video formats.
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They govern the dynamic range of an image.
With high dynamic range, you'll get brighter whites and darker blacks.
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That means you'll end up getting better contrast and a wider range of colors when watching HDR or Dolby Vision content (assuming you're set up correctly).
MISTAKES YOU'RE MAKING?
The first thing you need to do is make sure you're actually getting 4K or HDR from your Netflix plan.
Different Netflix membership levels have varying levels of quality.
Not sure what type of cable you have? It's often printed on the cable or the cable ends.
Netflix
So if you're not paying enough money each month, you might not be getting the highest quality.
Secondly, Netflix recommends checking your internet connection.
This is a big one: your video quality can be massively limited by your internet's download speed.
You can check it easily at Fast.com, and see if it's up to snuff.
What appliances interfere with your WiFi?
Avoid placing your router near these...
- Speakers
- TV
- Microwave
- Oven
- Christmas lights
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Washing machine
- Cordless phone
- Kettle
- Toaster
- Water pipes
- Other people’s WiFi routers
But make sure you're doing the test on a device that's close to the TV you're watching Netflix on.
Here are Netflix's recommended internet speeds:
- 4K: 15 Mbps miniumum
- 1080p HD: 5 Mbps
- 720p HD: 3 Mbps
- 480p SD: 1 Mbps
Thirdly, you'll need to check to see if all the devices that you're using support the quality you're trying to watch.
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So if you're just watching on a TV via an app then at the very least, you'll need the television to have a 4K screen to support 4K Ultra HD content.
But if you're watching via a streaming stick – like an Fire Stick or Roku device – plugged into the TV then that device will also need to support 4K.
Not all streaming devices do support 4K, so you might find your content limited to HD or Full HD even if the TV itself has a 4K screen.
And you'll want to make sure you're using the right kind of HDMI connection too.
What is 4K, Ultra HD and UHD?
Here's an easy guide to what 4K means...
- 4K, Ultra HD and UHD are all different names for the same type of TV screen. 4K refers to the number of pixels on your TV screen – or the “image resolution”
- The pixels are the tiny dots of colour that make up the image you see on your telly. A pixellated image is one where the pixels are really obvious, because there aren’t many. But images with lots of pixels – like a 4K movie – generally look sharper and clearer
- A true 4K screen has 4096 x 2160 pixels. That means on your TV screen there are 3840 pixels across, and 2160 pixels vertically. That’s roughly 8.3 million pixels on the display in total
- 4K gets it’s name because it’s got four times the number of pixels as a standard Full HD TV
- Full HD (or 1080p) screens have 1920 pixels across, and 1080 pixels going upwards – for around two million pixels in total. So 4K just means your TV has many more pixels on the screen compared to a more common Full HD display
- Ultra HD, or UHD, is basically the same as 4K. If you buy a UHD telly in a shop, you’ll be able to watch 4K content on it with no bother
- But there is a small difference. Almost every TV you ever buy has an aspect ratio of 16:9. That means for every 16 pixels horizontally, there are 9 vertically
- True 4K footage doesn’t quite fit in with that ratio, so you won’t often find TVs with 4096 x 2160 pixels. Instead, to fit with the 16:9 ratio, most 4K TVs will have 3840 x 2160 pixels instead
- If it doesn’t make sense, grab a calculator and divide 2160 by 9. Then multiply it by 16, and you’ll get 3840. That’s the aspect ratio working its magic. So when you see an Ultra HD TV, it just means it’s a 4K image with slightly fewer vertical pixels
- If you try watching a 4K video on a non-4K TV, the video will still play – but it won’t be in 4K quality. To watch a 4K video in 4K quality, you’ll need to fork out for a 4K TV. Similarly, if you’re watching standard or HD footage on a 4K TV, it won’t magically become 4K quality
- Some TVs promise “4K upscaling”, which converts your standard or HD footage to near-4K quality. This works by using software to guess what colours would fill the extra empty pixels missing in HD footage, and then filling them in. This creates a 4K-like effect, but it’s not true 4K
Netflix explains: "For the Premium plan, you need to use Premium High Speed HDMI or Ultra High Speed HDMI cables.
"Not sure what type of cable you have? It's often printed on the cable or the cable ends.
"For 4K or HDR, make sure that devices and cables are plugged into an HDMI port that supports HDCP 2.2 or later (usually the HDMI 1 port).
"If a device or cable in your setup doesn't meet all requirements for a particular quality, Netflix will play at the highest quality available for that device, port, or cable."
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Next, check that you're actually trying to watch 4K content.
Not all Netflix titles are offered in 4K or HDR – if they are, they'll be marked as such with a badge on the movie or show's info page.
And you can also search for 4K or HDR content specifically.
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Finally, double-check your settings to make sure that Netflix is set up to play at the correct quality.
If you look under Playback Settings, you'll be able to set the exact quality you're looking for.
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