Are you considering adding a Fire TV Stick 4K to your entertainment setup, or did you just purchase one recently? Whether you’re having trouble deciding which TV would be ideal to connect it with, or you’re not sure if it’s right for your TV setup, you may be wondering will a 4K Fire TV Stick can work on a non-4K TV.
A 4K Fire TV Stick will work with a non-4K TV. However, it will be limited to the non-4K TV’s max resolution (likely 1920 x 1080). It won’t be able to deliver 4K or high-definition pictures, since non-4K TVs don’t support HDR.
There are pros and cons to using a 4K Fire TV Stick with a non-4K TV, but it may be worth it to go ahead and get the 4K Fire TV Stick. Considering the advanced features and the potential future upgrade to a smart TV, opting for the Fire TV Stick 4K could be the perfect choice so you can be ready for the latest technology.
Difference Between 4K and Non-4K TVs
Most people are familiar with 4K TVs and non-4K TVs. With 4K and other higher-resolution TVs now available, you may be wondering what the real difference is between TVs that aren’t 4K and TVs that are. Are they really that different?
There are many different types of 4K and non-4K TVs on the market today, and it can be hard to keep track. So let’s get down to the basics and figure out what they each offer.
We’ll take a look at resolution in more detail next, but, if you aren’t sure if your existing TV or projector is 4k, have a look at this article to figure that part out first.
4K VS Non-4K TV: Resolution
When it comes to resolution, 4K TVs are known for their ultra-high definition (Ultra HD or UHD), while most normal TVs are just labeled ‘high-definition’. The amount of definition refers to the resolution and the pixels that the TV offers.
When it comes to specs for resolution, all 4K TVs come with a higher resolution than all non-4K TVs. The 4K resolution is 3840 x 2160 pixels to provide a detailed, ultra-crisp, and clear picture.
On the contrary, most non-4k TVs have 1920 x 1080 pixels or below.
Different Ways of Measuring
The 4K TV designation refers to the ~4000 horizontal pixels. Typically, 4K TV resolution is labeled according to the vertical pixels, while non-4k TVs use their vertical lines to make up their high-definition resolution.
When compared, a typical 4K TV features approximately 2160 pixels vertically.
Scaling Down
Most times, a recording on a 4K TV will need to be scaled to a lower resolution. One may wish to scale a 4K resolution to a 2K high-definition output.
It has been shown when comparing the video quality of 4K, which has to be scaled to 2K, the picture quality is noticeably more detailed than from the recording in 2K as the default.
For those who aim to have the highest quality motion picture capability, 4K Firestick in fact ticks all the boxes. As video resolutions creep up across the board, eventually 4k will be normal, or even standard.
Right now it’s still firmly on the high end of Television, but in just a few years it will become jarring to see a TV running at 1080p or 2k.
Recommended Viewing Distance
Due to the increase in resolution of 4K TVs when compared to non-4K TVs, 4K TVs allow the viewer to position themselves much closer while enjoying a cleaner and clearer picture.
The perfect recommended distance for a 4K TV can be two times closer than the recommended distance for a non-4K TV. When watching a 4K TV, the experience is best when sitting close.
You may be interested in connecting your Fire TV to a 4k projector, which is a great option. Note that if you do that it will change the viewing distance a lot, but we have another article discussing some of the details here.
Difference Between the Regular and 4K Fire TV Sticks
Providing a surround sound experience, Fire TV Sticks are extremely useful, particularly if you’re subscribed to Amazon Prime Video.
If you’re considering both a regular Fire TV Stick and a Fire TV Stick 4K, here are some of the main differences between the two. Note that we have also covered how long Firesticks last so that you can make an informed decision.
The main takeaway is that, if you have a 4k TV or think you might buy one in the next few years, it’s probably worth your money to upgrade to the 4k TV Stick to future-proof your setup as much as possible.
Regular VS 4K FireTV Stick: Design and Build Quality
When it comes to the overall structure, 4K Fire TV Sticks are a bigger size than classic Fire TV Sticks. The classic Fire TV Stick is near the size of a portable USB external hard drive, and the 4K Fire TV Stick is a large square shape.
This is because it packs in more advanced computing components to process the higher-quality video signal. Both devices are study and a bit chunky, which isn’t a problem because they’re designed to be out of sight.
The power requirements and controllers are the same, with a nice soft-touch finish that’s a pleasure to use but might attract the wrong kind of attention from pets…luckily they’re relatively cheap to replace.
Regular VS 4K FireTV Stick: Features
The 4K Fire TV stick features an Ultra High Definition that supports HDR (more on that in our guide), HDR+, and Dolby Vision, which means more pixels and more picture clarity for a better viewing experience.
This is a significant upgrade for Amazon Prime users with Prime Video having some titles with Dolby Atmos Audio. A normal Fire TV Sticks supports only up to 1080p.
However, for you to be able to watch 4K high-quality videos, your television must be 4K-enabled.
Regular VS 4K FireTV Stick: Price
There isn’t a huge difference between the pricing of the latest Fire TV Sticks and the latest 4K Fire TV Sticks. The more expensive 4K Fire TV Stick (on Amazon) will offer an enhanced viewing experience when compared to the Fire TV Stick (on Amazon), but they both work on any TV with a port for HDMI cable.
Related Questions
Will a 4K Firestick Remote Work On a Non-4K TV?
Yes, a 4K Firestick remote will work with a non-4K TV. The remote is typically designed to control the Fire TV Stick itself and has basic functions like navigation, playback control, and voice commands.
The TV’s resolution doesn’t affect the compatibility of the remote, as long as the TV supports HDMI input and is compatible with the Fire Stick. But remember, powering a Firestick through the TV’s USB port is not a good idea.
Can Firestick Work on an Old TV?
As we’ve discussed in other articles, the Amazon Fire TV Stick can work with older (smart or non-smart) TVs – you only need an available HDMI port on your TV. The Fire TV Stick connects to your TV through HDMI, and it requires a stable internet connection to stream content. If your old TV has an HDMI port, you can plug the Fire TV Stick into it, and it should work.
