Netflix can secretly make your 4K TV look worse, and your streaming box is why

A new report argues Netflix can deliver lower-than-expected image quality on some 4K TVs because the limiting factor is often the streaming box—or stick—rather than the Netflix app or the TV itself. The article claims that even with the same TV and Netflix account, two different streaming devices can produce noticeably different results: one may show crisp 4K HDR, while another may drop to 720p or worse. Netflix reportedly uses Widevine DRM and evaluates what hardware is “licensed” and capable of handling before playback starts, deciding what bitrate/resolution it will allow. It warns that bargain Android TV boxes, older devices, or uncertified hardware can be served lower quality.