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Samsung UHD TVs Will Soon Stream Amazon's 4K Content

One step closer to UHD utopia

Credit:
Tyler Wells Lynch
Written by Tyler Wells Lynch

Updated October 2, 2014

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Amazon Instant Video will soon begin streaming in 4K resolution on all Samsung ultra-high-definition TVs, bringing the next evolution in TV tech one step closer to the mainstream.

Samsung announced this week that all Amazon UHD content will be "globally" available for 4K streaming starting this October, exclusively through the Amazon Instant Video app on Samsung UHD TVs.

Amazon hasn’t yet disclosed plans to stream 4K content on other manufacturers’ sets, but it’s safe to assume that the exclusivity is only temporary. If Korean and Japanese manufacturers have their way, 4K will soon supplant 720p and 1080p HD content as the de facto standard, and that means Amazon will want its content on as many TVs as possible.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to UHD TV

In a statement, Samsung points out that this deal adds to a host of 4K video already available through the Smart Hub platform on its UHD TVs. That includes Netflix 4K streaming, which was added in April, and other deals with Comcast and DirecTV. Rival TV makers like Sony, LG, and Vizio have been busy signing agreements of their own.

“The era of UHD has begun, and to continue even more widespread adoption, it is important to provide consumers with more choices when it comes to UHD content,” said Won Jin Lee, executive VP of Samsung’s display division.

ISPs and cable providers also need to ensure that their hardware infrastructures can support high-bandwidth UHD broadcasting.

Thursday’s announcement also highlighted plans to expand UHD streaming to European content providers, including maxdome, CHILI, Wuaki.tv, and Netflix Europe.

But as more and more content producers adopt 4K technology, it's not only TV makers and streaming services who are responsible for delivering the video in the best possible resolution. Without reliably high bandwidth from ISPs and cable providers, all the 4K content and UHD TVs in the world won't do anyone any good.

Read: Sympathy for the Devil: Comcast on Net Neutrality

Unfortunately, as the recent debate over net neutrality and internet "fast lanes" has illustrated, that’s a much more complicated issue—one that’s likely to frustrate consumers in the near term.

A 4K TV infographic.

Check out all of Samsung's IFA 2014 Announcements: