The video format should say 2160 (not 1080p) or Ultra HD. Another possibility is to use your 4k TV’s on-screen “Info” display that should indicate the current video resolution, frame rate, and sound format the TV is receiving. You can use the down or up arrow on your remote control and at the bottom left of the image you should see the video resolution. To be absolutely sure you are streaming in Ultra HD there are a couple of methods. Check your TV’s InfoĪmazon doesn’t indicate the video resolution of a specific title (at least through the Amazon app we used for Samsung TVs). You can also view our list of 4k UHD titles on Amazon. With the Amazon Video app for various Smart UHD TVs you can see categories for Ultra HD television shows and movies, both included with Prime and available for purchase. You can try searching for a title you know is available in Ultra HD, or go to the home screen on the Amazon Video app and use the remote arrow down down until you see Amazon’s categories for Ultra HD titles (see photo above). Use this SpeedTest from Comcast Xfinity or Netflix’s to check your download & upload speeds. Restart your modem or call your ISP (Internet Service Provider) if the Ultra HD video won’t play correctly. We’ve found that if there aren’t a bunch of other devices streaming video from the same network at the same time the 15Mbps per second is plenty enough to get smooth 4k video without many dropouts. Be sure to have sufficient Internet SpeedĪmazon suggests a minimum of 15 megabits-per-second to stream Ultra HD. Amazon has premium Monster HDMI cables starting at $24.99 and Best Buy has got high-quality Audioquest cables starting at about $35. HDR requires HDMI 2.0a, so be sure to pick up a premium HDMI cable to ensure the highest quality video.
(See this list of devices that support Amazon 4k Ultra HD.) Use HDMI 2.0 Cable & HDCP 2.2 Portīandwidth demand for 4k is much higher than 480p, 720p, or 1080p so you’ll need an HDMI 2.0 cable that is made for 4k content at 60fps and HDMI port that supports HDCP 2.2. As of this article, PCs are not able to stream Ultra HD content. HDR formats include Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG. Look for HDR in the device specs as well. Most devices that stream 4k will be labeled with either 4k, Ultra HD, or UHD. Devices must also support HDCP 2.2 content protection standards in order to play 4k content.
Make sure your device or Smart TV is 4k Ultra HD CompatibleĪmazon Ultra HD content can only be viewed on supporting devices like the Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube, Apple TV 4k, Roku models (including Roku 4, Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere+, Roku Ultra), Shield TV, and Ultra HD Smart TVs using the Amazon app. The nice thing about Amazon Prime is that 4k streaming doesn’t cost more, as opposed to Netflix who charges a few bucks more per month.
Amazon also licenses quite a few popular movies to watch if you are a member (see a full list below).
All of the Amazon Studios original series are available at no extra charge, and some series are already in their second and third seasons.
Subscribe to Amazon PrimeĪlthough it’s not necessary to be a Prime subscriber to view Ultra HD content, the number of titles available to members is well worth the $119 per year (or $12.99 per month) if you start adding up rental fees and purchases. Here’s what you need to start watching Amazon Prime in 4k Ultra HD (with some titles in HDR if supported).
If you’re looking to test your TV’s HDR capability check out Marvel Studio’s The Avengers, Amazon’s Honey Boy, or the original series The Expanse, to name a few. (Read: How To Stream 4k Ultra HD With HDR) Recently-added Amazon Original Series available in UHD include Hunters, Agatha Christie’s The Pale Horse, and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. New premium movies in UHD include titles such as The Report, The Aeronauts, and James Bond titles like Tomorrow Never Dies. Their video service has a growing selection of titles available in Ultra HD to Prime members at no additional charge (while Netflix charges extra), and a wider selection of premium movies to rent or purchase. Amazon began streaming in Ultra HD in December 2014 with the original productions Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street, Transparent, and Alpha House that were all shot in native 4k.