4K and HDR sound like the same thing, but they are different features with different requirements. Here is what each one actually delivers in an IPTV context.
4K (UHD)
4K means a resolution of 3840 × 2160 pixels — four times the pixels of 1080p. In practice, a 4K stream needs a sustained bandwidth of around 25 Mb/s. The source also has to be 4K; if it is upscaled from 1080p, you are paying for bandwidth and getting nothing in return.
HDR
HDR — High Dynamic Range — is about brightness and color, not resolution. HDR10 is the most common format. An HDR stream needs a TV that supports HDR, a player that passes HDR through, and an HDMI cable that can carry the bandwidth. Most 4K TVs sold in the last five years support HDR10.
What is available in our catalog
Many channels in our line-up are available in 4K HDR. They are marked in the EPG with a 4K badge. The actual availability depends on the source — we do not upscale. If a channel only exists in 1080p, the stream we deliver is 1080p, even if your player labels it 4K.
What you need on your end
- A 4K HDR TV.
- A player that supports HDR passthrough — TiviMate, IPTV Smarters, and iPlayTV all do.
- An HDMI 2.0 or higher cable.
- At least 25 Mb/s of stable bandwidth.
Common pitfalls
Most "4K" streams that buffer endlessly on consumer hardware are actually 4K sources being transcoded in real time by a low-power device. If your player or device is below 4K-capable, switch the stream to 1080p — the difference is invisible on a 1080p screen anyway.
Set up your stream.
Read the setup guide for your player, or open the dashboard if you already have an account.