DirecTV 4K TV support is scheduled to launch Friday, November 14, the satellite TV provider announced. Support for 4K TV, also known as UltraHD TV, has been one of the most-requested features by DirecTV customers, particularly those who enjoy sports and movies.
While the DirecTV 4K TV support and service will start this weekend, NFL Sunday Ticket fans shouldn’t get too excited about watch their DirecTV 4K TV sports broadcast any time soon. DirecTV said its 4K TV service will begin will new-release movies, some “oldie but goodie” films and a handful of nature documentaries.
All of those broadcasts will be provided in 4K resolution. 4K is twice the definition of the now-standard 1080p video resolution.
Starting Friday, DirecTV will provide 4K TV support for almost 20 movies from Paramount Pictures and K2 Communications. The 4K broadcasts will be fully available to any DirecTV customer who has a Genie HD-DVR, presuming they have a 2014 Samsung UHD TV model.
DirecTV has partnered with Samsung on the 4K TV announcement. It was not immediately clear whether the DirecTV 4K TV broadcasts will be viewable by customers who don’t own a Samsung UHD model. According to DirecTV’s statement, customers will need a Samsung 4K TV that supports DirecTV 4K and an Internet-connected Genie HD-DVR (model HR34 or above).
Forcing the Samsung TV is an odd move. Other TV manufacturers including LG and Sony make UHD TVs, and broadcasts are traditionally hardware agnostic. The only requirement in most cases is having a TV that supports the broadcast, which any 4K TV would be able to do. In the case of DirecTV, the company has “certified” some sets as DirecTV 4K ready, though it would seem that the broadcasts should be possible on any UHD TV.