The Crutchfield 4K video streaming checklist
Get peak performance from your new TV
A new 4K TV arrives ready to display Ultra HD content via online apps. But there are a few other things you need before you can enjoy a beautiful 4K picture, without annoying glitches.
Must-haves:
Sign up for a high-speed internet plan. We recommend a minimum of 20 Mbps (megabits per second) — more if possible.- Make sure your content streaming app (Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc.) is 4K-compatible. Some providers have limited 4K content, or may require additional hardware or an upgraded subscription.
- Optimize your TV’s picture settings for the best performance in your room. Switching from the factory default settings can give you a much more natural, lifelike picture. To learn more, read our expert tips.
Sign up for a high-speed internet plan. We recommend a minimum of 20 Mbps (megabits per second) — more if possible.Helpful upgrades:
- Make a wired connection — an Ethernet cable directly from your router to your TV or streaming device — for maximum speed and stability.
- Choose a new router with advanced options. Features like device priority and airtime fairness help prevent buffering and slow load times.
- Consider creating a mesh network for strong, fast Wi-Fi in every room. It's an expandable multi-piece router system that seamlessly expands wireless coverage over a larger area.
We can help
This checklist should help you get what you're paying for when you buy a new 4K Ultra HD TV. If you want to know even more, read about what you need for 4K TV.
If you're shopping right now, get in touch with one of our knowledgeable Advisors. If you want help optimizing a TV you already bought from us, don't forget that free lifetime tech support is included with every Crutchfield purchase.
Meet Eric A.
Favorite grammar rule: 'i' before 'e' except after Labor Day.
Music has always been a huge part of my life. My family is full of singers and instrumentalists, so I grew up listening to recitals, concerts, records, and radio. These days I get to write about turntables, stereo amps and preamps, speakers, and the fascinating world of commercial audio. It's challenging, rewarding, and fun!
When I went to college at the University of Kansas, I got a student job as a sound engineer and announcer at the on-campus radio station, and that got me hooked on great gear. I've continued to share great tunes with my local community, first as a professional, and then a volunteer radio announcer.
My role at Crutchfield has drawn all of my passions together into a job I love. I started as an Advisor, which gave me a chance to learn more about home, car, and commercial audio. Directly helping customers choose the gear that makes them happy was an enlightening and enjoyable experience. Becoming a copywriter let me flex the writing chops I've been honing over the past couple of decades - it's a perfect fit.
About Eric
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