4k streaming on NowTv

[Anonymous User]

Hi, I just read the news that NowTV launched a new smart box 4K, my question is when the content (movies and tv series) will be starting streaming in 4K and if it will be available only trough the new 4k smart box or as well on my LG smart tv or Apple 4K tv?

[schnapps]

Hi @Anonymous User

Nowtv haven't yet got 1080p which is suppose to be coming to their streaming service by end of 2018.

I can't see 4K happening on NowTV content for a long time or if it would ever by available to be honest (might be a pipe dream).

I would be quite happy myself for 1080p (high bitrate) with 5.1 surround sound and 50fps playback when using a nowtv sports pass.

At the moment the only 4K stuff or Apps that are capable on their new 4K smart box is Netflix, YouTube and BBC iPlayer (where i am guessing your LG 4K smart TV & ATV 4K as already got these Apps anyway).

[Anonymous User]

So are they launching a 4k smart box branded “NowTV Smart Box with 4K” and the only streaming service in 4K is Netflix (and other apps)?! That’s silly.

[schnapps]

Hi @Anonymous User

Yep no 4K on the new smart 4K box for the NowTV App, at the moment it's 720p, where it will be 1080p sometime in the next couple of months possibly end of 2018 or early 2019.

Perhaps the 4K smart box has been introduced into the market for future proofing if one day that nowtv does offer 4K on their nowtv service.

Who knows what plans NowTV / Sky have for this new smart box ?

[Anonymous User]

Well this sucks considering I just bought one, and I can’t take it back now. False advertisement 😞

[Anonymous User]

how are you managing without the freeview?

[Anonymous User]

i know and whats the best part is theyve removed the freeview completly!! haha nice one

[Anonymous User]

It’s an absolute con.... I purchased one and the picture quality (720p) and the only audio option is stereo, what a joke! 

[Anonymous User]

They didn't manage to do 1080p (high bitrate) with 5.1 surround sound and 50fps playback yet in last 3 years. now you are asking for 4k. It will never happen in next 3 years. they will stay 720p for next 2 years. fake promises will go 1080p by end 2018. it never happened its already mid 2019. ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN TILL 2020. its shame but that's the truth. 

[Anonymous User]

@Anonymous User 

How can you state "that's the truth" when you don't know what's happening behind the scenes. 1080p will be with us BEFORE 2020 😀

[crashcris]

Does anybody know definitively if the BBC 4k iplayer app is compatible with this new box, has anybody watched the Dynasties series in 4k on this box yet? Many thanks.

[schnapps]

Hi @crashcris

Both my NowTV 4K smart box and my Roku Stick Plus both seems to play the Dynasties series in UHD to my eyes.

The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is shown on the BBC iPlayer UHD compatible products website list (together with my television), but i couldn't find the new NowTV 4K smart box on the list.

When playing the first episode both my NowTV 4K smart box and Roku Stick + when you either pause or hit the enter button the display tool bar in RHS bottom corner says UHD.

Also when inside the BBC iPlayer App navigating around the UI the Dynasties episodes thumb nails also show the UHD logo next to them on the 4K NowTV Smart Box & Roku Stick +.

Where my first generation NowTV Freeview smart box doesn't show the UHD logo either in the UI or when pressing the pause or OK button when watching the Dynasties episodes and the PQ looks a little softer.

I can't confirm the HDR / HLG side of things because my older Panasonic 4K UHD television is not HDR /HLG  compatible.

[crashcris]

Brilliant! Many thanks for that very speedy reply. I've just ordered a box from currys in their Black Friday promotion. £24.99 with one month passes thrown it to boot. I couldn't not buy it really. Very much looking forward to playing with it. Many thanks again. Cris

[schnapps]

Hi @crashcris

Just make sure you watch all the UHD episodes on the BBC iPlayer App by the 11th of December, where after that date the UHD episodes of the Dynasties TV series will be removed according to the info taken from the BBC iPlayer help centre.

Can I watch Dynasties in Ultra HD?

Yes, you can. If you have a compatible TV device, you'll be able to watch all episodes of Dynasties on demand in stunning Ultra HD (UHD) and High Dynamic Range (HDR).

Each episode will be available to watch in Ultra HD after the programme is shown on BBC One until Tuesday 11 December. After this date, only the HD and SD versions will be available on BBC iPlayer.

Simply head to the homepage or search "Dynasties". You'll need to make sure your video quality is set to Best Quality

[crashcris]

Again Thanks for the info. I'm really glad you told me about the 11 Dec end date as I've got a Roku SS+ box and in the UHD Dynasties Icon of the Iplayer it states "Available for over a year".  I imagine, as you said, this refers to the HD recording only.  It's a little disappointing that the UHD isn't going to be kept for as long as the HD. 

[Anonymous User]

on iplayer yes and lots of 4k stuff on you tube

[Anonymous User]

hi all,                                                                                                                                                                                      Can I Ask for help, it about zooming aspect setting in the 4k Netflix app in the new, now tv 4k box       Can you zoom a 4k or any other film in the Netflix app to full screen.

@Anonymous User, I have this year [2018] LG Super UHD and it has [vertical zoom], does your LG have                       vertical zoom, or as it was called cinema zoom, if it has can you zoom any other film streaming box or stick apart from sky now tv 720p box to full screen.

The reason i`m asking last year I tryed Neflix out but was unable to zoom to full screen,                           I tryed to zoom, all I got was [ this is not availible ] grayed out. I can zoom now tv 720p to full screen.     When I say full screen what I mean is vertical zoom                                                                          What the LGs vertical zoom does is just that, it takes the 21.9 film and lifts it verticaly with NO loss of the 21.9 film from both end, you end up viewing any film as if you were at the Pictures.                        Thanks bf.

[Anonymous User]

I can’t actually get Netflix to show 4K content at all 

my subscription is the 4K one as fine on other devices. YouTube plays 4K fine but not Netflix, anyone any ideas? 

[Anonymous User]

Left now tv as i was sick of the crap sound and picture quality they were offering.720p is a joke for what they charge per month.therse constant buffering and the picture quality drops.i switched to netflix and prime atleast with them they offer much better quality at 4k and atmos for the same price and prime even cheaper.come on sky the amount of money u make a year give your customers a better service.

[Anonymous User]

Get apple tv mate, you will get into new world. they need more 10 years to get us 1080p. I feel sorry for them. they cant steal our money anymore. I paid tons to sky for years. But not anymore. They cant fool us with 720p anymore for sure. 

---

@Anonymous User wrote:

Left now tv as i was sick of the crap sound and picture quality they were offering.720p is a joke for what they charge per month.therse constant buffering and the picture quality drops.i switched to netflix and prime atleast with them they offer much better quality at 4k and atmos for the same price and prime even cheaper.come on sky the amount of money u make a year give your customers a better service.

---