Netflix: How to Watch 4K Content on Your PC and Mac

Netflix is a giant in the industry, and it is hard to find someone who does not stream content by using it. It is more accessible and worth every penny. Great for a relaxing night in or a party, Netflix comes with plenty of choices for any taste. You can find a lot of popular movies and TV shows, and you won’t be disappointed in their content.

Lately, we get more and more UHD – Ultra High Definition movies and shows, made especially for 4K Smart TVs, and Netflix has definitely won the race on the market. But if you are watching them on PC, it may be hard to enjoy it as you are supposed to.

We are here to tell you exactly how to get a better experience. Netflix is known for its 4K content, and here is all you need to know about it.

For the UHD content, you will need a premium subscription. For this one, you need to pay $11.99 per month.

When it comes to the quality of the video, you get 4K at 2160p. Nothing less than that.

You will also need a 4K TV. They usually come with 2160p and e resolution of 3840×2160 pixels. But keep in mind that just because you have a 4K smart TV does not necessarily mean that it will work with UHD content. You will need a set with HDCP 2.2-compliant.

Also, for 4K content, you will need a good internet connection. Netflix has its recommendation of a connection of at least 25Mbps. The average US speed is of 61Mbps, so you should be okay.

How can I stream 4k?

If you have a 4K tv, then you might already have the app installed. But what about intelligent TV platforms? An internal device will do you good:

  • Roku Streaming Stick+
  • Xbox One X
  • Xbox Series S / X
  • Nvidia Shield
  • Apple TV 4K
  • Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
  • Chromecast Ultra
  • Chromecast with Google TV
  • PS4 Pro
  • PS5
  • Xfinity

Netflix comes with support for two different HDR formats: HDR10 and Dolby Vision. You will need a TV that comes with support for that, and you should be good to go.

How can I watch 4K Netflix on PC or Mac?

You can stream 4K content on Netflix on any PC, as long as it has Windows 10. But you will need to use the Edge browser for this one, as Chrome and Firefox are a no-go. Your PC will also need PlayReady 3.0, so make sure your computer is updated at all times. Also, a 10-bit HEVC encoding support, so a seventh-generation processor or newer should work just perfect.

With Mac, it was a bit tricky at first, as users did not get access to it, but now it is finally available for users. Your Mac computer will need to have macOS 11.0 Big Sur and the latest version of Safari. You will also need a 2018 or newer version of Mac, and an Apple T2 Security Chip.

For PC and Mac, you will need a 4K display that comes with support for HCDP 2.2 and which runs at 60Hz. After that, you’re good to go.

Watching HDR might sometimes involve doing some changes to the graphics driver or GPU hardware setup, but it is all worth it. Once everything is in order, you will get to enjoy it by the book. Netflix has a lot of surprises for its users, and this one is, by far, one of the best. You can now stream whatever series or movie you want and live the best of it.

Susan Kowal
Susan Kowal is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor/advisor, and health enthusiast.