ANSWERED: What is 4K Ultra HD (UHD) and High Dynamic Range (HDR) on Xfinity TV?

What Is 4K UHD content?

4K UHD resolution is four times full HD, providing a clearer, more vivid picture. Current HDTV offers 1,920 pixels (tiny dots that make up the picture) across the width of the screen — the more pixels, the sharper the image. With 4K technology, the number of pixels across the picture is doubled to 3,840 (approximately four thousand or "4K"), and the vertical scanning lines are doubled as well, from 1080p to 2160p.

What is HDR (High Dynamic Range)?
"HDR" stands for High Dynamic Range and refers to color depth. HDR offers better contrast, greater brightness levels and a wider color palette. It's about making TV shows/movies look a bit more like real life.

How To Get 4K UHD and 4K UHD/HDR With Xfinity

4K UHD and 4K UHD/HDR viewing is currently available to Xfinity X1 and Xfinity Flex customers and requires a compatible Xfinity TV Box and compatible 4K TV.

COMPATIBLE TV BOXES

4K UHD and 4K UHD/HDR content viewing requires an Xfinity X1 XG1v4 or Xi6 TV Box, or Flex Xi6 streaming TV Box. You can find the model number of your X1 TV Box by going to About in the X1 Settings menu. XG1v4 model numbers are AX014ANM or AX014ANC, and Xi6 model numbers are AX061AEI or TX061AEI, listed as STB Version. You can also check the sticker located on the bottom panel of the TV Box.

Note: X1 4K TV Boxes (XG1v4 and Xi6) aren’t available to order online, and the Xi6 is not available in Xfinity Stores. The easiest way to receive an X1 4K TV Box is to contact us to order a Getting Started kit. The only way to receive an Xi6 is to request a Getting Started kit.

COMPATIBLE TVS

4K UHD, HDR, Dolby Vision HSD, and Dolby Atmos are available on specific TV models and may not be supported on all TV/receiver HDMI ports. Refer to your TV manual to see if you can receive content in 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision and/or Dolby Atmos.

You can use your Xfinity Voice Remote to say "4K" or search "4K" to be taken to the Experience 4K UHD on X1 landing page that displays all 4K viewing options on X1 and Flex.

When your X1 TV Box is set up, it'll automatically be set to the highest video output resolution possible for your TV, including 4K UHD. The best way to determine whether you can watch in 4K is to say, "Device Settings" into the Xfinity Voice Remote and then select Video Display. Across the top of that page will be three icons that identify 4K capability in both the TV Box and the TV. If the setup supports 4K, select Video Output Resolution to confirm the device is set to the best available resolution. Upon selecting, you should get a prompt to confirm the resolution. Select Yes and the device settings will be saved and 4K content will now play.

If you want to manually change your video resolution after setup, you can do so from the Settings menu. Also, if you choose to view On Demand content (for free, rental or purchase) that's available in 4K, playback will automatically default to the appropriate 4K color depth based on your TV’s capabilities.

If you have your X1 settings set to Prefer Best Available Resolution, your program will auto-tune to 4K.

If auto-tune isn't enabled and you’re currently watching a show in HD that's also available in 4K, you’ll see a notification on the top right of your screen: “Good news! This program is available in pixel-perfect 4K Ultra HD.”

You can press OK to go to the 4K version.

If you’d like to turn off these notifications, you can go to Settings > Preferences and select Prefer Best Available.

Live Sporting Events

Can I record live events in 4K?
No, live events in 4K can’t be recorded. However, you can record live events on the HD channel.

Xfinity On Demand: 4K UHD/HDR content (free, rentals and purchases) is available if you have an XG1v4 or Xi6 TV Box set to 2160 resolution with a compatible 4K UHD/HDR TV and a 4K-capable HDMI cord. Please see more about using the X1 guide to adjust your video display to 2160p.

From the Episode Guide, you can see upcoming episodes in 4K. You’ll see the season and episode information, time it will be live and the channel name.

Internet Subscription Video on Demand Channels:

• Insight TV On Demand service includes 4K content if you have an XG1v4, Xi6 or XiOne TV Box set to 2160 resolution with a compatible 4K UHD/HDR TV and a 4K-capable HDMI cord. See Subscribe, Unsubscribe and Manage Internet Subscription Video on Demand Channels for more information.

Apps on X1 and Flex With 4K Content

Amazon Prime Video: 4K UHD and 4K UHD/HDR content is available if you use the Prime Video app on X1 and have an XG1v4 or Xi6 TV Box, on Flex with an Xi6 streaming TV Box and have a compatible 4K or 4K/HDR TV and/or AV receiver and/or soundbar. 4K content isn’t available on XiOne Flex streaming TV Boxes. Learn more about watching Prime Video on X1 and Flex.

Apple TV+: 4K content is available within the Apple TV+ app on X1 if you have an Xi6 TV Box or on Flex with an Xi6 or XiOne streaming TV Box (along with a compatible 4K or 4K/HDR TV). 4K content isn't available on XG1v4 X1 TV Boxes. Learn more about watching the Apple TV+ app on X1 and Flex.

Disney+: 4K content is available within the Disney+ app on X1 if you have an Xi6 or XG1V4 X1 TV Box or on Flex with an Xi6 streaming TV Box (along with a compatible 4K or 4K/HDR TV). 4K content isn't available on XiOne Flex streaming TV Boxes. Learn more about watching the Disney+ app on X1 and Flex.

HBO Max: 4K content is now available within the HBO Max app on X1 if you have an Xi6 or XG1V4 X1 TV Box, or on Flex with an Xi6 or XiOne streaming TV Box and a compatible 4K TV. Learn more about watching the HBO Max app on X1 and Flex.

Netflix: 4K UHD and 4K UHD/HDR content is available if you subscribe to the Netflix Premium plan and have an X1 XG1v4 or Xi6 TV Box, or Flex Xi6 or XiOne streaming TV Box with a compatible 4K or 4K/HDR TV and/or AV receiver and/or soundbar. Learn more about watching Netflix on X1 and Flex.

Vudu: 4K UHD content is available if you use the Vudu app on X1 and have an XG1v4 or Xi6 TV Box, on Flex with an Xi6 or XiOne streaming TV Boxes and have a compatible 4K or 4K/HDR TV and/or AV receiver and/or soundbar. Learn more about watching Vudu on X1 and Flex.

YouTube: 4K content on YouTube is available if you use the YouTube app on X1 and have an XG1v4 or Xi6 TV Box, or Flex Xi6 or XiOne streaming TV Box, and have a compatible 4K TV. Learn more about watching YouTube on X1.

Xfinity On Demand Content

4K UHD/HDR content is available on Xfinity On Demand with X1 and Flex. Note that some 4K UHD/HDR content is also available on free or paid apps.

Additional Resources

https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/uhd-4k-faqs