Hulu streaming gets a boost on Android TV apps – but is it good enough?
Full HD finally comes to Sony TVs and Nvidia Shield
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If you’re watchingHuluon aNvidiaShieldset-top box, or a Sony Android TV, then you now have the choice to streamHulu showsand films in glorious… Full HD.
TheAndroid TVapp for Hulu was previously restricted to a maximum HD resolution (1280 x 720), but as of March 23 it has been capable of Full HD (1980 x 1080) streaming instead. This applies to the2019 Nvidia Shield TV, the Shield TV andShield TV Proiterations released in 2020, andSonyBravia TVs running Android TV (likely 2017 or 2018 models onwards).
While Hulu is available on a host of devices, the number that support4Kstreaming on the service is limited. Prior to the upgrade on Sony TVs and Nvidia Shield, this was limited to theApple TV (5th Gen),Chromecast Ultra,Chromecast with Google TV,Fire TV,Fire TV Stick,LG TVs(2017 onwards),Roku streaming devices,Vizio SmartCast TVs,Xbox One S/Xbox One X, and the next-genXbox Series S/Xbox Series Xconsoles. (Sorry,PS5.)
Hulu has yet to make a formal announcement about the matter, or even display the changes in itssupport pages, possibly suggesting a troubleshooting period – or a lack of desire to shout about such a small enhancement.
The days of yore
Hulu subscribers watching on aNvidia Shield TV,Shield TV Pro, or recent Sony TV like theA8H OLED, may well be pleased at experiencing a boost to their streaming resolution.
But in a world of4K TVs, it’s not the most thrilling upgrade, and speaks to the incomplete hardware support for4K resolutionthat still plagues the market today.
Hulu doesn’t have a huge number of 4K content, mind, other than its slate of original TV shows – Handmaid’s Tale, for one. But as 4K becomes more prolific across the likes ofHulu,Netflix,Amazon Prime VideoandDisney Plus, it’s going to be harder to sit with HD or even Full HD. What use is all that detail from filmmakers and production studios if the devices in your home can only display a fraction of it?
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It’s worth noting that modern4K upscalingtechniques mean even HD or Full HD content can display in 3840 x 2160 on an Ultra HD display, though the quality of this upscaling will vary depending on the processor of the television you’re using. A high-end Sony BraviaOLEDwill likely fare pretty well, though a cheap TV from some supermarket brand may struggle.
ViaThe Verge
Henry is a freelance technology journalist, and former News & Features Editor for TechRadar, where he specialized in home entertainment gadgets such as TVs, projectors, soundbars, and smart speakers. Other bylines include Edge, T3, iMore, GamesRadar, NBC News, Healthline, and The Times.
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