Second-gen models of PS4, Xbox One will support 4K resolution, says Netflix

As they have done in previous generations, Microsoft and Sony are very likely to be designing second-generation models of their Xbox One and PS4 consoles, ones that will be likely slimmer and potentially cheaper.

One feature that we can definitely expect, at least according to Netflix, is 4K resolution support.

Netflix CPO Neil Hunt says that Sony has "promised" 4K support for the upcoming hardware revision and Forbes independently confirmed the Xbox One.

Says Forbes' John Archer, speaking of an elaboration on Hunt's blurb: "Namely that he believes that when both the PS4 and Xbox One consoles do their traditional two-year hardware refresh (which would be due around October or November) they will add the necessary components to deliver 4K video playback."

If accurate, the consoles would most likely have to see some particular hardware and software revisions. HDMI 1.4 ports would likely have to be upgraded to 2.0 (which allows for 4K at 60fps) and HDCP 2.2 protection would have to be included as well.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 9 Feb 2015 13:57

bobiroc

Weren't these consoles supposed to support that in the first gen? I mean they brag about how many processor cores it has and how many gigabytes of ram it has and they do not deliver on the promises that they made before they were launched. They cannot do 4K video streaming, they can barely get any games to run 1080p/60fps like they said games would run and now barely a year into the life of these consoles they are already talking second gen with more power and features as a possibility.

Glad I skipped these alleged NextGen consoles from Microsoft as it just makes my PC/Wii U gaming set up that more appealing when I hear stuff like this. My modest gaming PC may have cost me $700 but it is well worth it for the features and flexibility it has. I can play a library of games past, present, and future without worrying about performance or compatibility. Not to mention the games are often cheaper or get reduced in price much quicker so that makes up for the price difference and the fact in a couple years I may want to upgrade the Video card or the whole system which I can do without worrying too much if my games will still work.

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9.2.2015 18:03 #1

audvare

I am in the same boat (Wii U and PC; and 360 and PS2). I would be so mad if I bought a first generation console of one of these. While none of my monitors support HDMI 2.0 yet, I would be planning to get one eventually for this feature.

Everyone who bought a first generation should be demanding a refund.

9.2.2015 19:13 #2

bobiroc

Originally posted by audvare: I am in the same boat (Wii U and PC; and 360 and PS2). I would be so mad if I bought a first generation console of one of these. While none of my monitors support HDMI 2.0 yet, I would be planning to get one eventually for this feature.

Everyone who bought a first generation should be demanding a refund. I still have my 360 but rarely play it as no new games are really coming out that I want that I cannot just get on PC anyway. If I do use the console it is mainly to stream the WWE App which I could do on my gaming PC too but the XBOX is easier.

Maybe if the XBOX Two and PS5 still use x86 and are backwards compatible I will consider one of those because as of right now I see no killer exclusive that makes me want to buy one of those consoles.

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9.2.2015 19:19 #3

DarthMopar

Correct me if I'm wrong, but current XB-1 can barely run games at 1080P...I assume a graphics upgrade is in the cards?

9.2.2015 19:32 #4

keithb1973

Actually 4k is possible down hdmi 1.4, all be it at 8 and not 10 bits, and any TV with a built in decoder can take the signal directly. All sony need to do is spend some time actually letting the console do what it is capable of.

Netflix dont actually need Sony to do anything other than tweak outputs through said ports (some manufacturers of projectors are already doing this), plus anyone with a decent 4ktv has access to free netflix at 4k via the apps on the TV - all be it slower than the PS4 for access and not as user freindly.

Both XB1 and PS4 are more than able to transmit and process at 60fps in full 1080p, the issue is with the porting by developers from the PC versions (I am generalising), but now that the architectures of the three (PC, XBONE and PS4) are similar if not identical, this is much easier than it used to be.

XBONE has slightly different issues to though, given the choice of slower graphics card and older memory, though it is still more than capable of producing current gen games at 1080p if they let it.

I understand the moaning about 30fps v 60fps, but I challenge anyone with a decent tv to play a regular game side by side (one set at 60fps and the other at 30-45fps) and challenge them to tell the difference - I am not challenging the PC fan boys here, just illustrating that the vast majority would not know or care. I care by the way, I am just trying to explain lol.

In any event, the claim that Sony would need new hardware is a phallacy, all they really need to do is start allowing the machine to transmit at 4k - admittedly gaming at 4k is an entirely different kettle of fish and something (apparently) neighter console would be capable of at 30fps, never mind 60 ;-)

10.2.2015 08:20 #5

ZippyDSM

So..... 4X at what 10FPS?

Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Lets renegotiate them.

---
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10.2.2015 08:34 #6

scopex

Originally posted by DarthMopar: Correct me if I'm wrong, but current XB-1 can barely run games at 1080P...I assume a graphics upgrade is in the cards? I doubt it. We're talking about movies here, not games.

11.2.2015 00:43 #7

Ryberg360

So this is going to appeal to about the 1% of people who a) didn't buy the 1st gen PS4 or Xbox One and b)already have a 4K capable tv. Maybe I will care about this in 5 years.

11.2.2015 08:56 #8

bhetrick

Quote: Says Forbes' John Archer, speaking of an elaboration on Hunt's blurb: "Namely that he believes that when both the PS4 and Xbox One consoles do their traditional two-year hardware refresh (which would be due around October or November) they will add the necessary components to deliver 4K video playback."
"... to deliver 4k video playback."

Sounds more like he's referring to 4k passthrough and not referring to the consoles actually being able to game at 4k resolutions.

11.2.2015 09:04 #9

megadunderhead

Except for one issue in all of this.

1. The xbox one will no way in heck be able to keep running at 4k without turning off more features

2. The ps4 all ready does 4k Do you wonder why your 4k display says DVI when you turn on the console it's because it's not displaying in HDMI Standard But HDMI with 4k support.

But honesty is the best policy and forcing customers into a redesigned model in less then a year would be bad business.

And i would love to see nintendo give them all the finger and release a redesigned wii u with a built in hard drive bay for a full sized hard drive giving microsoft and sony a black eye because there console is limited on hard drive size and compatibility.

12.2.2015 03:40 #10

DXR88

Originally posted by megadunderhead: i would love to see nintendo give them all the finger and release a redesigned wii u with a built in hard drive bay for a full sized hard drive giving microsoft and sony a black eye because there console is limited on hard drive size and compatibility. Why? only Microshaft is affected by the non upgradable HDD because $$$, and PS4 can go all the way to 2TB if your using more than that you have severe case of wontbuydiscentitis and relying overmuch on a digital goods service is a terrible idea.

12.2.2015 14:32 #11

Interestx

Originally posted by DXR88: only Microshaft is affected by the non upgradable HDD because $$$, and PS4 can go all the way to 2TB if your using more than that you have severe case of wontbuydiscentitis and relying overmuch on a digital goods service is a terrible idea. ...but you're not giving the whole story.

XB1 allows the use of any (no 2tb limit) external HDD and allows this unlike the PS4 (or the earlier XB360 with it's 32gb limit on up to 2 external storage devices) for backing up games & game data.

Correct me if I'm wrong but as I understand it PS4 does not allow complete & playable game storage in the same way.

With this the 500gb internal storage limit (or the increased 1tb on selected models - which is likely, just as happened on the 360, to come for all XB1's) is hardly relevant and for many a better facility than just being able to increase the internal storage to 2tb.

If 4k takes off widely enough during this gen of consoles then that 2tb limit is quickly going to become a real PITA, what with good quality 4k files sizes being what they are etc.

13.2.2015 08:16 #12

megadunderhead

the ps4 needs a 4 tb hard drive or better grand theft auto is 60 gigs alone

13.2.2015 11:29 #13

DXR88

Originally posted by megadunderhead: the ps4 needs a 4 tb hard drive or better grand theft auto is 60 gigs alone Give it a year or two and you'll see 4TB 2.5 drives. Until then, use PSN conservatively.

13.2.2015 23:16 #14

DXR88

Originally posted by Interestx: Originally posted by DXR88: only Microshaft is affected by the non upgradable HDD because $$$, and PS4 can go all the way to 2TB if your using more than that you have severe case of wontbuydiscentitis and relying overmuch on a digital goods service is a terrible idea. ...but you're not giving the whole story.

XB1 allows the use of any (no 2tb limit) external HDD and allows this unlike the PS4 (or the earlier XB360 with it's 32gb limit on up to 2 external storage devices) for backing up games & game data.

Correct me if I'm wrong but as I understand it PS4 does not allow complete & playable game storage in the same way.

With this the 500gb internal storage limit (or the increased 1tb on selected models - which is likely, just as happened on the 360, to come for all XB1's) is hardly relevant and for many a better facility than just being able to increase the internal storage to 2tb.

If 4k takes off widely enough during this gen of consoles then that 2tb limit is quickly going to become a real PITA, what with good quality 4k files sizes being what they are etc. the last time i checked, the XB1 didn't allow anything but saves music and video on external devices. the same as the PS4's rules regarding external devices.

13.2.2015 23:22 #15

scopex

Originally posted by DXR88: the last time i checked, the XB1 didn't allow anything but saves music and video on external devices. the same as the PS4's rules regarding external devices. Check again, lol.

"When you connect a compatible external storage drive, Xbox One will walk you through setting it up to store games and apps."

http://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-one/...89b70895148819f

13.2.2015 23:44 #16

Interestx

Originally posted by DXR88:
the last time i checked, the XB1 didn't allow anything but saves music and video on external devices. the same as the PS4's rules regarding external devices. Nope.

That was how it was with the XB360 to begin with but that was later adjusted to allow up to 32gb for games & game saves.
It was very handy being able to use any sized hard drive for movies, music & pics
(with the HFS+ formatting removing the Fat32 4gb files size restriction, very useful with HD movies).

XB1 comes with no restriction and allows any hard drive connected to be used entirely for game back-up & game saves.

In my opinion this is a much more preferable set-up to how things are with PS4 currently.

14.2.2015 09:27 #17

ZippyDSM

Originally posted by Interestx: Originally posted by DXR88:
the last time i checked, the XB1 didn't allow anything but saves music and video on external devices. the same as the PS4's rules regarding external devices. Nope.

That was how it was with the XB360 to begin with but that was later adjusted to allow up to 32gb for games & game saves.
It was very handy being able to use any sized hard drive for movies, music & pics
(with the HFS+ formatting removing the Fat32 4gb files size restriction, very useful with HD movies).

XB1 comes with no restriction and allows any hard drive connected to be used entirely for game back-up & game saves.

In my opinion this is a much more preferable set-up to how things are with PS4 currently.
Any hard drive above 250GB.... else its media only.....

Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Lets renegotiate them.

---
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14.2.2015 11:02 #18

Interestx

Originally posted by ZippyDSM:
Any hard drive above 250GB.... else its media only..... People still use 250gb hard drives? lol

14.2.2015 19:51 #19

snoop5023

Ha,ha. I was a sucker to buy a first gen xbone and ps4 with the expectation these consoles would providing firmware upgrades to support 4K HD. Do I really need it? No. With all the capping that ISP providers are doing now, it just would not be worth it.

17.2.2015 08:55 #20

DXR88

Originally posted by snoop5023: Ha,ha. I was a sucker to buy a first gen xbone and ps4 with the expectation these consoles would providing firmware upgrades to support 4K HD. Do I really need it? No. With all the capping that ISP providers are doing now, it just would not be worth it. there is no reason the first gen Xbone and PS4 cant do 4k resolution with a simple firmware/OS upgrade.

the only difference in generational leap of the same platform is that the newer generations are a cost cutting measure. for example there are less screws, the power supply housing is plastic instead of metal and there are more cutouts in the housing.

22.2.2015 15:41 #21

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