Want to know more about viewing 4K Ultra HD (UHD) and 4K UHD/HDR with your Xfinity TV subscription? Check out our helpful information below, including how to watch it and what you can watch.
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?
"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 and movies look a bit more like real life.
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, an HDCP 2.2 compatible 4K TV, and a 4K-capable HDCP 2.2 compliant HDMI cord.
Compatible TV Boxes
4K UHD and 4K UHD/HDR content viewing requires an Xfinity X1 XG1v4 TV Box, Xi6 TV Box, or an XiOne streaming TV Box.
You can find the model number of your X1 TV Box by going to About in the X1 Settings menu. You can also check the sticker located on the bottom panel of the TV Box.
- XG1v4 model numbers are AX014ANM or AX014ANC.
- XiOne model numbers are SCXI11BEI or SCXi11AIC or WNXI11AEI.
- Xi6 model numbers are AX061AEI or TX061AEI, listed as STB Version.
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 or receiver HDMI ports. You’ll also need a 4K-capable HDCP 2.2 compliant HDMI cord. 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.
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. Here's the best way to determine whether you can watch in 4K:
- Say "Device Settings" into the Xfinity Voice Remote.
- 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.
- 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.
Why can’t I get sound when I’m watching a RealTime 4K channel?
If you’re watching FOX RealTime 4K (channels 1354/1355) and the sound doesn’t work, go to your Audio settings and change the audio mode from Expert to Auto.
Xfinity On Demand: 4K UHD/HDR content (free, rentals and purchases) is available if you have a 4K-compatible TV Box set to 2160 resolution with an HDCP 2.2 compatible 4K UHD/HDR TV and a 4K-capable HDCP 2.2 compliant HDMI cord. 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 (iSVOD) channels:
- Insight TV On Demand service includes 4K content if you have a 4K-compatible TV Box set to 2160 resolution with an HDCP 2.2 compatible 4K UHD/HDR TV and a 4K-capable HDCP 2.2 compliant HDMI cord.
- See how to subscribe, unsubscribe, and manage iSVOD channels for more information.
Boost a device and smart-boost features
Boost a device lets members with Xfinity Internet choose a device on their home network to boost for a better and smoother WiFi connection.
- If you have an XB8 or higher, you’ll have a manual boost option in the Xfinity app that lets you to choose a device to boost, including a device that you may be using for streaming.
Smart-boost feature lets members with both Xfinity Internet and Xfinity TV have an enhanced RealTime 4K viewing experience that reduces latency while watching 4K content on your Xfinity TV Box.
To enable the smart-boost feature:
- An on-screen prompt shows when the smart-boost feature option is available to enhance the WiFi connection to your wireless 4K box.
- Press OK on the remote when you see the onscreen message, and it will enable the smart-boost feature.
- Once it’s on, another on-screen notification will show to confirm your choice.
- If the on-screen prompt is missed, this feature can be turned on or off at any time using the Xfinity app.
Note: An XB8 or higher is required to use boost a device or smart-boost features.
For more details using the smart-boost feature, see how to use the Boost a Device feature.
Apps on X1 and Xumo with 4K content
Service providers may have their own requirements to stream 4K content, such as a subscription to a premium package.
- Amazon Prime Video: Learn more about using the Amazon Prime Video app.
- Apple TV app: Learn more about watching the Apple TV app with Xfinity.
- Disney+: Learn more about watching the Disney+ app with Xfinity.
- HBO Max: Learn more about watching the HBO Max app with Xfinity.
- Netflix: Learn more about watching Netflix with Xfinity.
- Fandango: Learn more about using the Fandango at Home with Xfinity.
- YouTube: Learn more about watching YouTube with Xfinity.
Note: 4K content may be available on other apps not listed here.
Xfinity On Demand content
4K UHD/HDR content is available on Xfinity On Demand with X1 and Xumo.
Note: Some 4K UHD/HDR content is also available on free or paid apps.
Additional information
Visit our Online Support Center to find common solutions.
The easiest way to activate, manage, and troubleshoot your Xfinity experience is with the Xfinity app! Get 24/7 real-time support, pay your bill, view plan details, get outage updates, and more. Download the free Xfinity app, or scan the QR code with your smartphone.
Need additional support? Ask Xfinity Assistant.
