4K video technology took a big step forward on Friday as DirecTV became the first multi-channel television provider to pipe 4K content into the living room. Starting today, users will be able to watch nearly 20 on-demand movies from both Paramount Pictures and Havoc according to a press release on the matter.
Flicks available in 4K include several major movies as well as multiple nature documentaries. The complete list is as follows:
- Forrest Gump
- Star Trek (2009)
- Amistad
- The Terminal
- McLintock!
- Transformers: Age of Extinction
- The Last Reef
- Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs
- Antarctica
- Dolphins
- Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag
- Dinosaurs Alive!
- Coral Reef Adventure
- Space Junk
- Yellowstone
- Legends of Flight
- Rescue
- The Ultimate Wave Tahiti
- Mysteries of the Great Lakes
The move does come with an asterisks attached, however, as the on-demand content is only available for owners of Samsung's 2014 model year 4K sets. According to the company's support website, these are the only televisions that are DirecTV 4K ready with built-in RVU technology. Furthermore, DirecTV subscribers will need the company's Genie HD DVR (model HR34 or better) to get the 4K content.
Pricing for the 4K on-demand media ranges from $3.99 to $15.99 per title. DirecTV said more titles will be announced soon.
This limited rollout of movies is likely a beta test for the company as they are planning to launch a handful of live 4K channels next year. Comcast is also said to be working on its own 4K service for 2015.