The resolutions in plain terms
- SD (Standard Definition): around 480p — soft detail, minimal bandwidth, mostly legacy channels
- HD (High Definition): 720p — clearly sharper than SD, still modest bandwidth needs
- FHD (Full HD): 1080p — the most common "sharp" tier, a good baseline for most viewing
- 4K (Ultra HD): roughly four times the pixel count of FHD, with visibly more detail on large screens
Bandwidth each tier actually needs
FHD generally needs a stable 10-15 Mbps; 4K needs at least 25 Mbps sustained, not just as a peak speed-test number. If your connection is closer to the FHD threshold, forcing 4K playback usually causes exactly the stuttering covered in our buffering fixes guide — dropping one tier is often the simplest fix.
Does 4K actually look different on your screen?
The gain from 4K over FHD is most visible on screens 55 inches and larger, viewed from a normal living-room distance. On a 32-43 inch screen, or from far back in a large room, most viewers can't reliably tell 4K from well-encoded FHD — so it's worth matching your resolution expectations to your actual screen size rather than assuming bigger numbers are always better for your setup.
Why not every channel is available in 4K
4K broadcasting is still the exception rather than the rule at the source — many channels are filmed and broadcast natively in HD or FHD, and no amount of downstream processing turns that into genuine 4K detail. Our 4K channel list shows which categories carry native 4K content versus upscaled feeds.
Practical advice for choosing resolution day-to-day
Use 4K for movies and prestige content on your main TV where the difference is visible, and don't hesitate to drop to FHD for live sports during high-demand hours if your connection is borderline — smooth FHD beats stuttering 4K every time.
Want the full picture of what's available at each resolution? Browse the 4K channel list or message us with questions about your specific plan.