Channel 7 · Guides
Getting a proper 4K picture
Last looked over: 14 October 2026 · BritCast TV team
THE GIST
Three things make a 4K picture: a set (or streamer) that can show it, roughly 25 Mbps arriving at that box, and programmes filmed in 4K in the first place. Day-to-day British channels are still HD, so in practice 4K means major sport and on-demand films.
- The basic Fire TV Stick tops out at HD.
- A cable or strong 5 GHz signal is close to essential.
- HDR needs support from the television too.
The checklist
- A 4K screen. Most sets sold in the last five years.
- A 4K-capable box. On Amazon’s side that means the 4K or 4K Max stick or a Cube; otherwise Google’s Streamer, an Apple TV 4K, or the apps on most recent televisions. The plain and Lite sticks stop at HD.
- Bandwidth. Plan on 25 Mbps for every 4K screen, as measured on the box itself.
- The right socket and lead. An HDMI input marked 4K or HDR, and a high-speed cable.
- Something filmed in 4K. Look for UHD or 4K in the channel or film name.
Settings worth checking
- Amazon Fire: under Display and Sounds, open Display and leave Video Resolution on Auto, which goes up to Ultra HD.
- Apple: in Video and Audio choose the 4K SDR format, then turn on both Match Content switches.
- TiviMate: Settings, Playback, decoder set to Hardware.
Realistic hopes
Premier League matches, Formula 1 and blockbuster films look superb in 4K. Everyday channels are HD, and a steady HD picture beats a stuttering 4K one every time.
People also ask
Why does my 4K channel look like HD?
Three usual suspects: the box is set below 4K, the television is upscaling, or the broadcaster made it in HD anyway. Start with the box’s display menu.
Does a 43-inch screen benefit?
On a 43-inch screen at sofa distance the difference is slight. From 55 inches up it becomes easy to see.