As a way to catch up with rivals YouTube and Netflix which already offer 4K streaming, Amazon now makes some of its 4K HD titles available for free streaming through Prime Instant Video. The 4K content, which can be specifically referred to as 4K UltraHD standard resolution of 3840 by 2160, seemed more like the original series from Amazon. These include "Transparent" and "Alpha House." The TV series "Orphan Black" was also mentioned.
In addition to the 4K streaming titles, Amazon is offering a 4K movies selection from Sony Pictures Entertainment which is also free for Prime subscribers. Currently, it has listed four movies which are 4K streamable. These are: "Philadelphia," "Hitch," "Funny Girl," and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
While it is true that the new service of 4K content streaming is limited to Prime users, Amazon would also like their other customers to know that they can now start purchasing a number of additional Sony Pictures movies which are otherwise unavailable for instant streaming. These include "The Mask of Zorro" (1998), "The Amazing Spider-Man" (2012), "Hancock" (2008) and "The Patriot" (2000).
Currently, only movies from Sony Pictures are available. According to the press release, more 4K content will soon be available to customers in 2015.
There are a few things to consider with the new 4K streaming service from Amazon. First of all, the service is only available to Amazon customers in the U.S. Next, the bandwidth requirements are yet to be disclosed. Last, the service will only work with an approved 4K 'smart TV' from known brands such as Samsung, Sony and LG. This means that computers with 4K-capable monitors such as a PC or Mac would not work well.
When officials at Amazon were asked why they don't offer Ultra HD streaming to the PC and Mac, they simply explained that it requires a compliant Ultra HD television.
However, Richard Doherty, research director at the technology-assessment and marketing-analysis firm Envisioneering, has a different view.
"It's not anything against either platform or the processor," said Doherty. "It's the matter of the security of the platform. The TV is secure and has no output to it. I and your readers on a PC or Mac could intercept the 4K content and therefore transmit it to a country that doesn't have the rights."
Other TV show titles that are lined up for a 4K release include "The After," "Bosch," "Mozart in the Jungle," "Red Oaks," and "Hand of God." Some of the pilot shows which are recently created by Amazon's own studio are also debuting in the first half of 2015. These include "Salem Rogers," "The New Yorker Presents," and "Mad Dogs."
