You can now watch Disney Plus in 4K! 4K, sometimes branded Ultra HD, is a higher TV resolution (than Ultra HD) with a sophisticated pixel thickness, to present you with clearer and better-quality images. 4K resolution (3840 by 2160 pixels) lets more texture and detail through to add precision and definition, making objects in the screen look vivid, presenting a clarity almost similar to looking out through your window.
Just like Netflix’s and Amazon Fire TV’s viewers, Disney Plus subscribers can now enjoy streaming in 4K, with much of Disney’s movies and series now in 4K. However, finding the 4K content on Disney is not upfront, and it is rather a tad difficult. Here’s all you need to know, to see how you can get started.
First, Disney Recommends A Fast Internet Speed
The 4k content on Disney requires a connection speed of 25Mbps (megabits per second) or higher, to create sufficient headroom. Therefore, you can do a speed test before subscribing to 4K content, to gauge whether you have enough internet speed to stream in the said resolution, uninterrupted.
Fortunately, you will not need to subscribe to a premium beyond what you pay for your monthly subscription before you can start watching Disney Plus in 4K, unlike other channels.
Then, Use Screens and Devices That Support 4K Content
If you have a compatible device, jump to the next step.
Nevertheless, if your current screen does not support the Disney Plus app, you may need to use a different 4K streaming device. Some of the devices that are currently compatible with 4K films and series include Apple TVs, Android TVs, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Amazon Fire TV, Sony 4K, LG TVs, and Samsung TVs.
Still, if you do not own a 4K screen or device, you can stream content on the channel in 4K. However, the clarity and quality of the content will be restricted to the maximum resolution that your device can play, usually 1080p HD quality.
Next, Go To The Movies Section
If you have gotten to this step without difficulty streaming in 4K, head over to the movies section and click on the category that reads, “Ultra HD and HDR.” This works to filter out any content in lower quality resolutions.
Now, the exciting part that comes is being able to view every single film displayed on the screen in 4K for the first time. There you have all the classic and spin-off “Star Wars” movies, all of Pixar movie collection including all the four Toy Story films, and Marvel films. Also, you will find classics such as The Lion King (original version), Frozen, Princess Diaries, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Santa Clause, and more.
A lot of the original TV series on the platform also supports streaming in 4K. Shows like High School Musical: The Musical, The World According to Jeff Goldblume, and Noelle, Lady and the Tramp series are available, among others.
To find more shows and movies to stream, click on the tab “Details” of the series or film you would like to watch to check whether it supports 4K viewing. Granted, the selection of films and shows available to watch is not a huge one, but the content is quality and will keep on growing.
So, Is 4K The New Standard?
Although a higher resolution, 8K, exists, 4K is the standard for gaming, streaming, and entertainment right now. However, 8K, whose resolutions doubles that of 4K, is the next big shift in TV content quality. But that will not be until the transition to 8K gets all the new technologies it requires to function.
The constant move toward improving the quality and value of TV and entertainment content, as well the devices we use to enjoy the content on, explains the continual upgrades to resolutions that improve the clarity of details presented. Moreover, now with increasing 4K content available, the cost of 4K screens and related devices are going down.
Consequently, if you are experiencing trouble viewing Disney Plus in 4K due to the displays you have, you can now easily purchase the devices needed to view 4K smoothly, without interruptions. The amazingly sharp and crisp images will certainly be worth it.
Sources: digitaltrends.com, hd-report.com, wired.com, help.disneyplus.com