We’ve talked a lot here in the Ferguson Knowledge Centre about how – if you pick up a TV these days – it’s increasingly likely to be a 4K one.
4K, for those who are unaware, is also often referred to as Ultra High Definition, or Ultra HD. A 4K Ultra HD TV, then, is typically one with a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels – the highest standard of high-definition video quality widely available on today’s TV screens.
It’s not just an increasing prevalence of 4K TVs that is already helping to make the early 2020s the ‘4K era’, however. That’s because the various popular streaming services that one can access in the UK have also been showcasing more and more 4K content.
So, how can I enjoy 4K entertainment in the UK?
If you wish to experience the stunning quality of 4K video in your own home – and it’s really something that anyone in the market for a new TV should be at least thinking about – you’ll need to, first of all, have a TV that is actually compatible with 4K.
Secondly, you’ll need to ensure your broadband Internet connection is solid enough to handle the highly data-intensive nature of streaming 4K content. Netflix, for example, recommends at least 25 megabits per second (mps).
Finally, a means of actually accessing 4K content via your device will be required. If you have a smart TV that enables you to enjoy apps like YouTube and Netflix, you’ll be able to jump into the action (almost) straight away – for free in the case of some existing 4K content on YouTube, while a subscription will be needed for Netflix. The latter service, though, could be well worth the outlay for the likes of House of Cards, Breaking Bad and The Blacklist in 4K quality
Meanwhile, Amazon allows for the purchase or rental of 4K movies through its Prime Instant Video platform. The books giant is also gradually increasing its number of original productions that can be enjoyed in 4K – think such hit shows as Transparent and Alpha House.
And don’t forget the burgeoning smart sticks market…
We’ve previously written here at Ferguson about how the simple addition of the right smart TV stick to your TV could give it instant ‘smart’ functionality. Sure enough, it seems that many entertainment fans are realising the advantages of smart sticks – in the US, for example, they are used in about 38 million homes, compared to the mere 28 million homes that have smart TVs.
Such smart sticks available now include Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K, which is the company’s most powerful streaming media stick. It sports a new Wi-Fi antenna design that has been optimised for 4K Ultra HD streaming, which helps to make it the perfect complement to your 4K Ultra HD TV
Together, streaming services and smart sticks are helping to gradually usher households around the world into the exciting new 4K era. So, why not join them, taking that momentous first step by purchasing a Ferguson 4K Ultra HD TV from our extensive and well-priced range?
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