How to Stream Netflix in HD or Ultra HD
How do I change Netflix to Ultra HD?
Before you go about tampering with the playback settings of your Netflix account, it is crucial to understand why you are experiencing poor video quality and if your subscription plan has something to do with it. By default, the video quality on Netflix is controlled by the bandwidth speed you are receiving. The faster the connectivity, the better the quality.
How to Stream Netflix in HD or Ultra HD How do I change Netflix to Ultra HD? Method 1: Ensure you have the Required Setup Method 2: Change to a Premium plan Method 3: Change Netflix’s Playback Settings Method 4: Change Download Quality of Netflix Videos
Secondly, the streaming quality on Netflix depends on your subscription package. From the four subscription plans, only one supports Ultra HD. Now that you are acquainted with the mechanisms behind video quality on Netflix, here’s how you can make Netflix HD or Ultra HD.
Method 1: Ensure you have the Required Setup
From the above paragraph, you might have realized that watching Netflix in Ultra HD is not the easiest of tasks. To add to your troubles, you need to have a compatible setup with 4K videos. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind to stream in Ultra HD.
- You need to have a 4K compatible screen: You will have to specifically check your device spec sheet and determine if your TV, laptop, or mobile is capable of streaming 4K. On average, most devices have a maximum resolution of 1080p; therefore, find out if your device supports Ultra HD or not.
- You need to have an HEVC codec: HEVC codec is a video compression standard that offers much better data compression and higher video quality for the same bit rate. On most devices, 4K can be run without HEVC, but it will drain way too much data and is especially bad if you have a daily internet cap. You can contact a service expert to see whether you can install the HEVC codec on your device. 3. You require a fast net connection: 4K videos will not stream on a poor network. For Netflix Ultra HD to function properly, you need a minimum internet speed of 25mbps. You can check your speed on Ookla or fast.com, an internet speed test company approved by Netflix.
- Your PC should have a powerful graphic card: If you wish to stream 4K videos on your PC, you should have an Nvidia 10 series graphics card or an intel i7 processer. Your display should not only support 4K but also have HCDP 2.2 and have a refresh rate of 60Hz.
- You should be watching a 4K movie: It goes without saying that the movie or footage you watch should support 4K viewing. All the extravagant measures taken before will be of no use if the title you plan on watching cannot be seen in Ultra HD.
Method 2: Change to a Premium plan
Once you have ensured that you have all the requirements in place, you need to check if your subscription plan supports 4K. To do this, you will have to access your account settings and upgrade your plan accordingly.
Open the Netflix app on your PC.
On the top right corner of the app, click on the three dots.
A few options will appear. From the list, click on ‘Settings.’
In the panel titled Accounts, click on ‘Account Details.’ You will now be redirected to your Netflix account through your default browser.
Look for the panel titled, ‘Plan Details.’ If the plan reads ‘Premium Ultra HD,’ then you are good to go.
If your subscription package does not support Ultra HD, click on the Change plan option.
Here, select the lowermost option and click on Continue.
You will be redirected to a payment portal, where you will have to pay a little extra to get 4K streaming quality.
Once done, you will be able to enjoy Ultra HD on Netflix and watch movies in the finest quality possible. Note: You can also access your account settings using your smartphone. Just open the app and tap on your avatar in the top right corner and then tap on ‘Account.’ Once done, the procedure is identical to the one mentioned above. Also Read: Fix Netflix Error “Unable to Connect to Netflix”
Method 3: Change Netflix’s Playback Settings
Changing the subscription plan on Netflix isn’t always enough to ensure high streaming quality. Netflix gives its users a list of video quality options and allows them to choose a setting that best suits their requirements. If your quality is set to auto or low, then the picture quality will naturally be poor. Here’s how you can stream Netflix in HD or Ultra HD by changing a few settings:
Following the steps mentioned above, you first need to open the Account settings associated with your Netflix account.
Within the Account options, scroll down until you reach the ‘Profile and Parental Control’ panel and then select the account whose video quality you want to change.
In front of the ‘Playback Settings’ option, click on Change.
Under the ‘Data usage per screen’ menu, select High. This will force your Netflix account to play videos in full quality despite poor bandwidth or slow internet.
You should be able to stream Netflix in HD or Ultra HD based on your setup and plan.
Method 4: Change Download Quality of Netflix Videos
One of the best things about Netflix is that you can download 4K movies and shows, ensuring that you have a seamless viewing experience free from internet and bandwidth issues. Before downloading, however, make sure that your download settings are set to high. Here’s how you can stream Netflix videos in Ultra HD by changing their download settings:
Click on the three dots on the top right corner of your Netflix app and open the Settings.
In the Settings menu, go to the panel titled Downloads and click on Video Quality.
If the quality is set to ‘Standard,’ you can change it to ‘High’ and improve the video quality of downloads on Netflix. Q1. What’s the difference between HD and Ultra HD on Netflix? Video quality is determined by the resolution of the footage at hand and is measured in pixels. The resolution of videos in HD is 1280p x 720p; the resolution of videos in Full HD is 1920p x 1080p and the resolution of videos in Ultra HD is 3840p x 2160p. From these numbers, it is obvious that the resolution is much higher in Ultra HD, and the footage provides greater depth, clarity, and color. Q2. Is it worth it to upgrade Netflix to Ultra HD? The decision to upgrade to Ultra HD depends solely on you. If you have the set up to watch in 4K, then the investment is worth it, because more and more titles on Netflix are coming with 4K support. But if the resolution of your TV is 1080p, then buying the premium subscription package on Netflix will be a waste. Q3. How do I change the streaming quality on Netflix? You can change the streaming quality on Netflix by changing the video playback settings from your Account. You can also try upgrading your Netflix subscription plan to watch videos in Ultra HD. Recommended:
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We hope that this guide was helpful and you were able to stream Netflix in HD or Ultra HD. If you still have any queries regarding this article, then feel free to ask them in the comments section.
