Damon Mcknight
Australians have been purchasing 4K Ultra HD TVs for over six years, but the country is still lagging in adopting modern broadcasting standards. While there have been preliminary trials of DVB-T2, which enables 4K Ultra HD transmission, full-scale implementation is still pending. This has led to frustration among Australians who are unable to access local 4K content and are forced to rely on imports, which can be costly. However, there is some 4K content available through streaming services and pay TV providers such as Foxtel, as well as 4K Blu-ray discs. With advances in technology, even modestly priced TVs these days can handle 4K, providing Australians with a cinema-like experience in the comfort of their homes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| 4K TV Price Range | $800 to $15,000 |
| 4K TV Sizes | 43" to 85" |
| 4K Streaming Devices | Apple TV 4K, Google Chromecast Ultra, Telstra TV 3, Foxtel Now Box |
| 4K Broadcasting Channels | Foxtel |
| 4K Broadcasting Standards | DVB-T2 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
4K Ultra HD TVs in Australia
Australians have been buying 4K Ultra HD TVs for over six years. The first 4K TV was sold in the US in October 2012. As of 2021, Australian free-to-air networks have yet to adopt the DVB-T2 standard, which supports 4K and 8K Ultra HD broadcasting. In contrast, many European countries mandated DVB-T2 in televisions sold after January 2017.
Despite Australia seeing preliminary trials of DVB-T2 in 2018 and a second phase in 2019 in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, full-scale implementation remains pending. Globally, DVB-T2 has become a standard for television broadcasting.
There are a few options for streaming 4K content in Australia. The pay-TV giant Foxtel launched its 4K live channel in 2018. Stan is the only service offering 4K football in Australia in 2023. For external devices, you can choose from the Apple TV 4K, Google’s Chromecast Ultra, or the Telstra TV 3. Foxtel’s own streaming box, the Foxtel Now box, also streams in 4K.
The cost of a 4K TV can range from around $800 to $15,000 for huge, top-end displays. For HDR, you’ll want either an OLED TV or an LED LCD with “local dimming”. Many TVs support HDR but are not great at displaying it.
The “4K” designation comes from the number of pixels (dots) that make up the width of the image. UHD 4K has 3840 pixels across the screen and 2160 pixels from top to bottom, twice as many in both directions as Blu-ray discs or HD TV. The result is a picture made up of 8.2 million pixels, compared to about 2 million for HD.
Filing Complaints: Australian Cargo Shipping
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$259.99 $399.99
$199.99 $349.99
$339.99 $459.99
4K streaming services in Australia
4K Ultra HD TVs have been available for purchase in Australia for over six years, but as of 2021, Australian free-to-air networks have yet to adopt the DVB-T2 standard, which supports 4K and 8K Ultra HD broadcasting. While there are no TV networks broadcasting in 4K, some streaming services in Australia do offer 4K viewing.
Netflix, which has by far the biggest selection of exclusive TV shows and movies of any streaming service, offers 4K viewing on its Premium plan, which costs $22.99 per month. Netflix has a lot of 4K content, including many of its original shows and movies, network TV shows, and classic feature films. Netflix streaming supports both current HDR formats – HDR10 and Dolby Vision.
Stan, Australia's first streaming service, also offers 4K viewing on its Premium plan, which costs $21 per month.
Amazon Prime includes 4K streaming in its base plan at no extra cost.
Disney Plus offers 4K resolution on its Premium plan, which costs $20.99 per month. Disney Plus offers over 100 titles that you can stream in 4K, from popular classics to recent releases.
Apple TV+ was once affordable, but with recent price hikes, some may find it hard to justify. However, PS5 owners can claim six months of the service for free after downloading the app to their console.
BINGE has recently upgraded its service to include 4K streaming tiers.
Other streaming services in Australia, such as Foxtel Now, Paramount+, and BritBox, may start offering 4K viewing in the future as 4K becomes a sought-after feature among entertainment fans.
Converting 115 Pounds to Australian Dollars: How Much?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial - 40th Anniversary Edition 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71ncgiAycTL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Scarface (1983) - Gold Edition 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71hzm7Yh01L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
4K Blu-ray discs in Australia
4K Blu-ray discs offer cinema-quality visuals and sound for an immersive viewing experience at home. To watch 4K Blu-ray discs, you need a 4K TV and a 4K Blu-ray player.
In Australia, 4K Blu-ray discs are available from select retailers, such as DVDLand, which markets itself as "Australia's Number 1 UHD Store." Via Vision Entertainment is another Australian retailer offering 4K Blu-ray discs, including limited editions with exclusive packaging.
Some Australians have expressed frustration at the limited availability of 4K content in the country, noting that they have had to resort to importing discs from other regions. This may be due to the relatively small market for physical media in Australia compared to larger markets like the US and Japan.
However, it's worth noting that Australia has been slow to adopt modern broadcasting standards, with free-to-air networks yet to fully implement the DVB-T2 standard, which supports 4K and 8K Ultra HD broadcasting. This may be due in part to the government's focus on reducing the spectrum available to free-to-air networks, potentially to auction it off to mobile network operators.
Despite these challenges, Australians can still access 4K Blu-ray discs through local retailers like DVDLand and Via Vision Entertainment, as well as by importing from international sellers.
Shipping Shoes to Australia: Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![V for Vendetta (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray) [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81z9X6JY0gL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Oppenheimer - 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81QXIa9fFvL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![They Live - Limited Edition Steelbook 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/813oG7tzzgL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
4K broadcasting in Australia
Australians have been buying 4K Ultra HD TVs for over six years. However, as of 2021, Australian free-to-air networks have yet to adopt the DVB-T2 standard, which supports 4K and 8K Ultra HD broadcasting. In contrast, many European countries mandated DVB-T2 in televisions sold after January 2017.
Despite preliminary trials of DVB-T2 in 2018 and a second phase in 2019 in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, full-scale implementation remains pending. Globally, DVB-T2 has become the standard for television broadcasting.
The Australian government has stated that media reforms will support the Australian media industry and improve the variety and quality of content for all Australians. However, the specifics of how these improvements will materialize remain unclear.
As of 2024, there is only one TV network broadcasting in 4K in Australia: pay TV giant Foxtel, which launched its 4K live channel in 2018.
To watch 4K content on your TV, you will need a 4K TV and a streaming device that supports 4K. For HDR, you’ll want either an OLED TV or an LED LCD with “local dimming”. Many TVs support HDR but are not great at displaying it. Most modern smart TVs have the key streaming apps built-in and ready to go at 4K, so an external device is not always necessary. For external devices, you can choose from the Apple TV 4K, Google’s Chromecast Ultra, the Telstra TV 3, or Foxtel’s own streaming box, the Foxtel Now box.
Big Bad Toy Store: Shipping to Australia?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Terminator 2: Judgement Day 4K Ultra Hd [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81CZe-bcjgL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![The Mummy Trilogy - 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/814UpftAnLL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Director's Cut) - 4K + Blu-ray [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Wzm6QdlZL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Killer Klowns From Outer Space - Limited Edition Steelbook 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81a1kLBSGrL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Smokey and the Bandit - 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81PqfnZhpBS._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Waterworld [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81OJ4eUUw7L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
4K gaming in Australia
Australians have been buying 4K Ultra HD TVs for over six years. However, as of 2021, Australian free-to-air networks have yet to adopt the DVB-T2 standard, which supports 4K and 8K Ultra HD broadcasting. In contrast, many European countries mandated DVB-T2 in televisions sold after January 2017, and in Europe, it is expected that DVB-T2 will cover over 75% of homes by 2022. Globally, DVB-T2 has become a standard for television broadcasting.
The Australian government has stated that media reforms will support the Australian media industry and improve the variety and quality of content for all Australians. However, the specifics of how these improvements will materialise remain unclear. A critical concern for Australians is the adoption of DVB-T2 broadcasting, which enables 4K Ultra HD transmission. Most digital televisions sold in Australia already support this standard, yet its implementation in the country is still pending.
In terms of 4K gaming specifically, you will need a TV that can display 4K images, a game console that supports 4K gaming, and a game that is designed for 4K. 4K TVs come in sizes ranging from 43” to 85”, with prices starting around $800 and heading up to $15,000 for the largest, top-end displays. For HDR, you will want either an OLED TV or an LED LCD with “local dimming”. Many TVs support HDR but are not great at displaying it.
You will also need your streaming device to support 4K. With most modern smart TVs, this is less of an issue as they have the key streaming apps built-in and ready to go at 4K. For external devices, you can choose from the Apple TV 4K, Google Chromecast Ultra, the Telstra TV 3, or Foxtel Now box.
In Australia, 4K broadcasting is available through the pay TV service Foxtel, which launched its 4K live channel in 2018. Stan is also offering 4K streaming for UEFA Champions League football. However, 4K broadcasting is not yet widespread in Australia, and there are concerns about the country's internet infrastructure being able to support it.
Australia's Nearest Neighbours: How Far Away Are They?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
4K is already available in Australia. Australians have been buying 4K Ultra HD TVs for over six years, and pay TV giant Foxtel launched its 4K live channel in 2018. However, as of 2021, Australian free-to-air networks have yet to adopt the DVB-T2 standard, which supports 4K and 8K Ultra HD broadcasting.
What TV manufacturers refer to as “4K” is actually a format known as Ultra HD (UHD). The “4K” designation comes from the count of the number of pixels that make up the width of the image—3840 pixels across the screen and 2160 pixels from top to bottom, for a total of 8.2 million pixels, which is twice as many in both directions as HD.
You need a TV that can display 4K images, which come in sizes ranging from 43” to 85” and start at around $800. You also need your streaming device to support 4K, but most modern smart TVs have the key streaming apps built-in and ready to go at 4K. For external devices, you can use the Apple TV 4K, Google Chromecast Ultra, Telstra TV 3, or Foxtel Now box.
![The Thing [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Bv9OlDqzL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Anemone [4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61iUpLsjwcL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
