Support for streaming UHD content is readily being expanded thanks to the latest move by NVIDIA and Netflix. With the required hardware and a bunch of other prerequisites, you will be able to stream 4K Netflix content effortlessly. There are a bunch of other software requirements that you will have to fulfil if you want to stream UHD content and we will be detailing everything right here.
Compatible Monitor, Software Update, and a GTX 10 Series GPU With Minimum of 3GB VRAM Is Required to Stream Netflix 4K Content
Oddly enough, even though NVIDIA and Netflix are currently previewing 4K streaming support, it looks like not all Pascal-based graphic processors will be able to support this feature. For example, the GTX 1050 has been listed as the bare minimum, but at the same time, it also states that you will require 3GB of video memory to take advantage of UHD streaming support. Bear in mind that there is the GTX 1050 Ti that features 4GB of VRAM, so perhaps that was the model that could be included in this list.
On NVIDIA’s customer support portal, the following has been listed concerning the required hardware and software to enable next-level streaming support.
"To enable Netflix UHD playback, the following is required:
- NVIDIA Driver version exclusively provided via Microsoft Windows Insider Program (currently 381.74).
- No other GeForce driver will support this functionality at this time
- If you are not currently registered for WIP, follow this link for instructions to join: https://insider.windows.com/
- NVIDIA Pascal based GPU, GeForce GTX 1050 or greater with minimum 3GB memory
- HDCP 2.2 capable monitor(s). Please see the additional section below if you are using multiple monitors and/or multiple GPUs.
- Microsoft Edge browser or Netflix app from the Windows Store.
- Approximately 25Mbps (or faster) internet connection."
NVIDIA has not detailed if the Windows 10 Creators Update is going to be sufficient to provide support for this feature, so it looks like we will have to wait and find out. For now, NVIDIA is calling this a preview, while also mentioning that SLI linking between two GPUs will have to be disabled in order for this to work. You also have to keep in mind that you will need to be running Intel’s latest Kaby Lake chips to enable support.
That is quite a mouthful of caveats required to enable Netflix 4K support, but if you want to enjoy the latest and greatest content on the visual bliss that is UHD, then you will need to satisfy the aforementioned requirements.
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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