Picture Quality Explained

Sharp, smooth picture is what streaming is all about. Here’s what the quality labels mean and how to get the best image on your screen.

4K, Ultra HD, and HD — what’s the difference?

4K (also called Ultra HD) is the highest resolution most streams offer — around four times the detail of standard HD. It looks its best on large screens. HD is sharp and loads faster on slower connections. Many streams automatically serve the best quality your connection can handle.

How to get the best picture

  • Use a wired connection or a strong Wi-Fi signal for live 4K
  • Make sure your TV’s display mode is set to its native resolution
  • Close apps you’re not using on the streaming device
  • If picture stutters, drop to HD rather than raising quality

Troubleshooting a blurry image

A blurry or pixelated picture almost always comes from bandwidth. Run a speed test, pause for a few seconds to let the stream buffer, and reduce other activity on the network. Our servers provide up to 4K — the rest is usually your connection.