DIRECTV 4K Ultra HD Programming is here! Are you ready?
DIRECTV is the first pay-TV provider with live 4K content! You'll see live sports, events, and plenty of exclusive 4K programming when you tune to DIRECTV's 4K channels, plus tons of downloadable pay-per-view content, all available in stunning UHD 4K.
What do you need for DIRECTV 4K channels?
In order to get all the great 4K programming DIRECTV has to offer, you'll need the right hardware and programming. The DIRECTV HR54 Genie DVR or DIRECTV Genie 2 is an absolute must-have. Without it, you won't receive any 4K TV programming at all. You'll also need some way to watch 4K since the Genie server itself does not output a 4K signal. The DIRECTV C61K 4K Genie Mini Client or the DIRECTV Gemini is the right choice for you. You'll need a 4K TV with at least one HDMI port that supports HDMI 2.0a and HDCP 2.2, and a high-speed HDMI cable connect it all up. Finally, you will need to have the Premier or Ultimate programming package to see 4K channels.
Can you use a Smart TV instead?
If you have a Smart TV with the FireOS or Roku operating system, you can install the free DIRECTV app for those platforms and stream some 4K programming. The app is also available for Apple TV, iOS, and Android devices. However, the selection of 4K programs is limited and you will not have access to most live 4K events.
Do you need a new dish?
In general, you probably won't need a new dish for 4K programming. However, this is subject to change at any time. We recommend that anyone who is interested in 4K programming upgrade to this Reverse Band 3 SWM-enabled dish. You may be able to upgrade just the LNB (the very front part of your dish. This guide will tell you everything you need to know.
How can you find 4K video and TV content?
Finding DIRECTV 4K programs is easy. Press the DASH button (to the left of the zero). This will take you to DIRECTV Smart Search. From there, you can search for "4K" by highlighting letters and numbers and pressing SELECT.
The 4K menu shows you all the live downloadable 4K content that's available. For pay-per-view content, you can check prices by highlighting something and pressing the SELECT button. As with all pay-per-view content, you're not charged until you start watching.
You can also go straight to the guide and browse to channel 104. Channels 104, 105, and 106 are live 4K programming. You can see what's on now, or choose a program to record in the future. NOTE: Unless you have a 4K Genie client, these channels will not appear in the guide for you.
Some things to know about 4K content...
4K programs have a little "4K" icon next to them in the playlist. If you're not in front of the 4K TV, they will also have a little red circle indicating they can't be played on that TV. 4K content is only playable on the C61K 4K Genie Mini Client or a DIRECTV 4K Ready TV. You can't play 4K content on an HD or SD television. However, you can record content and save it for later. Each hour of recorded 4K content takes about 1.5% of your DVR's recording space.
Live 4K content is on a dedicated set of channels in the 100s. If you can't see 4K channels, press the INFO button while watching live TV, then arrow over to "Favorites." Arrow down to "Channels I Get" and press SELECT.