Comcast has officially dipped its large toe into the 4K waters with today’s announcement that it’s offering a limited slate of programming in Ultra 4K via an on demand app.
Authenticated Comcast subscribers can watch 4K programming from NBC and USA Network for free with today’s launch of the Xfinity in UHD app, which currently works on just 2014 Samsung UHD TVs.
Comcast’s 4K menu features every episode of the current season from hit shows “Chicago Fire,” “Suits” and “Covert Affairs,” with “Parks and Recreation” set to debut in February. To start the 4K streams, Comcast subscribers need to first login to Samsung’s SMART Hub with their Xfinity credentials.
Comcast 4K users can also personalize viewing experiences within the app by setting parental controls, enabling closed captioning, and managing audio preferences.
Comcast first outlined its 4K ambitions with Samsung at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January. Other providers of 4K video services in the United States include Netflix, DirecTV, Sony and Amazon.
“Our top priority is providing our customers with the best entertainment experiences, so we are excited to give them the opportunity to be among the first to enjoy current seasons of some of the most popular TV shows in pristine Ultra High-Definition,” said Matt Strauss, senior vice president and general manager of video services for Comcast Cable. “Next year, we will not only debut the full Xfinity in UHD catalog across our Xfinity TV Go platforms for all customers to enjoy, but we will begin distributing a new X1 set-top box that will deliver 4K content.”
Xfinity TV customers with 2012 Samsung Smart TVs or Android powered Samsung Galaxy Tabs can download the Xfinity TV app in order to watch of thousands of Xfinity On Demand choices from other networks and studios.
Earlier this week, Deluxe announced it had expanded the 4K capabilities of its Deluxe OnDemand product suite, and that it was about to be deployed by a large North American cable operator. Today Deluxe said it had provided the 4K UHD workflow solution and technology to support delivery and playback on UHD-enabled Samsung televisions, which was confirmed by Comcast.
