Can anyone finally watch Netflix at 4K on the iMac monitor?

[david9992]

@Canaan_c May be you can try to reset the SMC.

 

[Canaan_c]

@Canaan_c May be you can try to reset the SMC.
View attachment 1667498

Just tried, not working

 

[w1z]

Just tried, not working

Where are you based? It could be that Netflix / Youtube etc. have reinstated downgrading all video playback for countries that have gone into lock-down again.

 

[andrewpsy]

I am also having trouble to watch 4K content from Netflix; Youtube 4K works just fine after upgrading to Big Sur without trying anything Develop options.

What I have:

1. 2019 16" rMBP (has T2 chip)
2. 4K Netflix subscription that works with my AppleTV 4K already
3. 1 Gbps network, fast enough to watch 8K on Youtube
4. an external monitor connected via CalDigit TS3 plus and MacBook is in clamshell mode

What I've tried:

1. VP9 SW decoder on battery (on)
2. WebRTC VP9 codec (on)
3. WebRTC H265 codec (on)
4. agent changed from 10_15_6 to 11_0 (video codec changed from "avchigh" to "hev1.1.6.L93.B0 (hevc, prk)")

@Canaan_c
I think my problem might be caused by using an external monitor via USB-C hub.
It wouldn't help you but I will test again by using the integrated display only soon.

Edit: 4K started working a few minutes after posting , not sure which option is required yet.

 

[Xarthan]

How are you displaying that window? I have developer mode enabled but wasn't sure how you get the information window to show up.

ah nm, found it on another thread... shift+ctrl+opt+D

 

[MacRumoren]

I am surprised only me can't play 4k Netflix with T2 chip?

You are not the only one, I've tried everything on this thread including checking all those Experimental features and also changing user agent > other to Safari 11_0 but still stuck on 1080p

 

[MacRumoren]

Update: This is weird, I found a "trigger" on Safari to get into 4K mode by clicking on a the part of the timeline that is not buffered yet.

It's almost like when a show starts buffering if it starts in 1080p then it will be stuck on 1080p but if you click to a part that hasn't buffered yet, it will get into 4k mode and if you start from the beginning the whole show will be in 4k.

This is a ridiculous way of getting 4k on Safari.

 

[Juriaan]

I am surprised only me can't play 4k Netflix with T2 chip?

I am having the same issues with my MBP 2018 13 inch. 4K is playing in Youtube nicely, but not in Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. I do not even see the UHD logo's when selecting movies or shows on the web site.

 

[jonathanhaslam]

I can not get Netflix to work in 4K

I have a
1. 2018 15" rMBP (has T2 chip)
2. 4K Netflix subscription
3. Fast Fiber internet
4. an external 4K HDR monitor connected via Belkin USB-C to HDMI Adapter which supports HDCP 2.2
5. Also have tried with (A2119) Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter

(I know the monitor and HDMI cable work and internet connection is fast enough, as when I connect to my Dell XPS laptop, I can watch Netflix in 4K)

Have tried all the experimental features, and changing the user agent (after changing the user agent I can get 60fps on hevc, before I seemed to be limited to 30fps on avc, have tired clicking on part of the time that is not buffered yet, and have tried waiting a few minutes to see if the quality increases above HD.

Have tried with just the MacBooks screen, and also with the MacBook in clamshell mode when connected to the external 4K monitor.

Anyone else got any suggestions?

 

[jonathanhaslam]

From Netflix help page

How to use Netflix on your Mac computer

To use Netflix in your Mac Computer, you need to go to netflix.com, there you will get the follow up steps to either sign in or sign up to a Netflix account.

help.netflix.com

NOTE: 4K Ultra HD support for macOS 11.0 Big Sur is currently in development may not be available at all times.

And from a chat with Netflix
"Jonathan the 4K Ultra HD support for macOS 11.0 Big Sur is currently still in research and development and we have no estimated time frame on when it's due.

Once this feature is already completely available we normally send out email announcements."

 

[david9992]

Seems it has 4 requirements for watching Netflix in 4K:
- Safari 14
- Big Sur
- T2 chip
- HDR supported monitor

 

[online919]

There is nothing special you need to do if your device matches the criteria. Please also note that not all movies are 4K. Make sure you tested the one that clearly says 4K.
one thing you can try is to scale your external monitor to hugest resolution, then try it.

 

[brianpham93]

I'm not only not able to play 4k (check using Netflix's Test Pattern sample movie) but also keeps getting HDCP 2.2 S7336 issue. My monitor is LGUL600 which supports HDCP 2.2 with 4k HDR. I'm connecting using Type-c to Display Port adapter which supports Display Port 1.4

 

[online919]

I'm not only not able to play 4k (check using Netflix's Test Pattern sample movie) but also keeps getting HDCP 2.2 S7336 issue. My monitor is LGUL600 which supports HDCP 2.2 with 4k HDR. I'm connecting using Type-c to Display Port adapter which supports Display Port 1.4

Just to clarify. Only safari on Big Sur can support 4K hdr now.

 

[brianpham93]

Just to clarify. Only safari on Big Sur can support 4K hdr now.

Yep. I tried safari on Big Sur and it's totally not working. Keep getting HDCP 2.2 error. This only come after big sur upgrade. Previously at least I could play full HD

 

[nameischarles]

I have a 27" iMac 2020 and Samsung 4K monitor (with HDCP 2.2). 4K finally started working on Sunday after the update, but now today it's stuck on 1080P.

Strangely if I clear my history, restart Netflix. Load the content, it will start with a black picture and sound only, then after a few seconds, it will glitch and display the content. I replicated this again, I noticed it would push 4K resolution but no picture, and then when it glitches and displays the picture it's scaled back down to 1080P.

This is so frustrating, not sure why they can't just get it to work.

 

[decypher44]

I have a 27" iMac 2020 and Samsung 4K monitor (with HDCP 2.2). 4K finally started working on Sunday after the update, but now today it's stuck on 1080P.

Strangely if I clear my history, restart Netflix. Load the content, it will start with a black picture and sound only, then after a few seconds, it will glitch and display the content. I replicated this again, I noticed it would push 4K resolution but no picture, and then when it glitches and displays the picture it's scaled back down to 1080P.

This is so frustrating, not sure why they can't just get it to work.

So I just checked, and mine was only going up to 1080 again (I have same iMac). First time I've checked since the update. I was able to fix it. Try this:

1) Develop > Experimental Features > Reset all to defaults
2) Develop > Empty caches
3) Close Safari > Launch Safari

After doing that, mine went back up to 3840 x 2160. Try that and let us know if it also worked for you. Good luck! Oh, and remember to give it a minute to ramp up to full res.

 

[online919]

So I just checked, and mine was only going up to 1080 again (I have same iMac). First time I've checked since the update. I was able to fix it. Try this:

1) Develop > Experimental Features > Reset all to defaults
2) Develop > Empty caches
3) Close Safari > Launch Safari

After doing that, mine went back up to 3840 x 2160. Try that and let us know if it also worked for you. Good luck! Oh, and remember to give it a minute to ramp up to full res.

Do you have your cable directly hooked to your computer or through a hub? it is highly unlikely for the hub to support hdcp

 

[decypher44]

Do you have your cable directly hooked to your computer or through a hub? it is highly unlikely for the hub to support hdcp

It’s an iMac.

 

[jonathanhaslam]

Update: This is weird, I found a "trigger" on Safari to get into 4K mode by clicking on a the part of the timeline that is not buffered yet.

It's almost like when a show starts buffering if it starts in 1080p then it will be stuck on 1080p but if you click to a part that hasn't buffered yet, it will get into 4k mode and if you start from the beginning the whole show will be in 4k.

This is a ridiculous way of getting 4k on Safari.

I tried this method on macOS 11.0 no joy.
However after updated to 11.1 the trigger method is working for me, can watch in 4K if I click on part of the timeline that is not buffered yet

 

[nameischarles]

So I just checked, and mine was only going up to 1080 again (I have same iMac). First time I've checked since the update. I was able to fix it. Try this:

1) Develop > Experimental Features > Reset all to defaults
2) Develop > Empty caches
3) Close Safari > Launch Safari

After doing that, mine went back up to 3840 x 2160. Try that and let us know if it also worked for you. Good luck! Oh, and remember to give it a minute to ramp up to full res.

Thanks for the reply, definitely had to empty the caches and reset all default settings and got it to work. Hopefully, we won't be needing to reset and empty the cache all the time to get it working haha

 

[decypher44]

Thanks for the reply, definitely had to empty the caches and reset all default settings and got it to work. Hopefully, we won't be needing to reset and empty the cache all the time to get it working haha

Nice! Glad you’re back to 4K!! Yes, crossing fingers things “just work” going forward.

 

[foliovision]

Thanks for the reply, definitely had to empty the caches and reset all default settings and got it to work. Hopefully, we won't be needing to reset and empty the cache all the time to get it working haha

Followed the steps with 2020 iMac 5K i7 on 11.6.1, no luck. Even skipping around on timeline and leaving time to buffer. Frustrating and silly. We pay enough money to Netflix and Apple that we shouldn't have to struggle like this for basics.