Bill Roberson/Digital Trends4K streaming is the future of TV and a number of content providers have started to offer 4K content, allowing users to take advantage of their 4K TVs. There are, however, a number of other pieces to the puzzle — including streaming devices like the Nvidia Shield TV, and services like Google Play Movies and TV.
As of Monday, Google Play Movies and Google Play TV can stream 4K content straight through the Shield TV — so you will be able to enjoy all your favorite shows and TV in the stunning 4K resolution. Perhaps even more interesting is the fact that the Shield TV now supports Cast in 4K — so you will be able to Cast content from your phone, computer, and other devices in 4K.
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Of course, just because the Shield TV supports Cast in 4K, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you automatically get 4K content. To stream that resolution, you need a pretty good Wi-Fi network set up. Still, it is nice that the feature is available and it means that as internet service providers offer faster networks, you will be able to take advantage of 4K streaming.
Nvidia is quick to point out that the Shield TV is one of the few streaming devices to support many 4K apps. In fact, only it and the Google Chromecast Ultra support 4K streaming from Google Play Movies and TV. Not only that, but only the Shield TV supports 4K streaming from Vimeo and Kodi.
Plenty more devices with support for 4K streaming will be launched in the near future and with updates, it is likely that devices that already support 4K will begin supporting more apps. Still, if you really need access to a wide range of 4K apps and you need it quick, the Nvidia Shield TV may be the best bet for you. You can check out our review of the Nvidia Shield TV here.
Where to watch the best 4K content: Netflix, HBO, Amazon, Hulu, and more
Not sure where to watch the best 4K content out there? Once upon a time, a 4K TV was a luxury reserved for the wealthy. Not anymore. Today, you can get 4K TVs for less than $500, and with 8K just around the corner, they're bound to become even more affordable. But despite the great price, finding good 4K content still isn't that easy. Just because it exists doesn't mean it has become standardized on every platform. Once you know where to look, though, there's plenty of 4K content available. Yes, you'll need to pay for it, and you'll need the right gear, but it's worth the visual experience. We've found all the best sources of 4K content around and have gathered them here for you. Check out our guide on why you're not getting Netflix in 4K and how to fix it.
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Skyworth’s $1,200 XC9000 Series is now the cheapest OLED TV you can buy
OLED TVs have routinely topped our lists of the best TVs you can buy, thanks to their perfect blacks, gorgeous colors, ultrawide viewing angles, and impressive gaming performance. But inch for inch, they're still very expensive, which is why it's worth taking note of the Skyworth XC9000 Series that just made its U.S. debut on Amazon. Staring at $1,200 for the 55-inch model, Skyworth has managed to undercut the 55-inch Vizio OLED TV by $100, making it the most affordable 4K OLED TV you can buy.
Also available is a 65-inch model that costs $1,700 -- once again, that's $100 cheaper than the 65-inch Vizio OLED TV. Skyworth and Vizio get their OLED panels from LG Display, the same company that provides OLED panels to LG Electronics and Sony. Does that mean Skyworth's OLED TVs will look as good as those from LG and Sony? Possibly, but given how important a company's picture-processing and related technologies are, using the same panels is far from a guarantee.
Despite delays, COVID-19 infections, and yes, even flood runoff, the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games are now in full swing. This year, 4K sources for the games -- especially the most popular sports -- are more available than ever. The UHD resolution is also frequently accompanied by HDR optimization and Dolby Atmos sound, so the experience will be better than ever on your home theater system.
There’s just one caveat: You need to watch the Olympic Games from a source that offers 4K content to get all the benefits. Check out our guide for exactly what you need to do!
Step 1: Check your hardware
