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| Your old Mac cannot display Netflix in 4K |
Mac computers and older Mac laptops released before 2018 cannot play Netflix content in 4K HDR through the built-in display or an external 4K or 5K display, although in theory this is possible.
Apple (macOS Big Sur) is the next version of the Mac operating system that lets you watch Netflix content in 4K HDR.
It turns out that according to the new Netflix support document, Netflix 4K HDR content may not work on older Macs released before 2018, as it can only work on devices with a security chip (T2).
This means that the full list of Mac computers that can currently play 4K HDR content on Netflix is as follows:
- IMac in 2020.
- iMac Pro.
- Applies to Mac Pro 2019.
- Applies to Mac mini 2018.
- MacBook Air 2018 or higher.
- MacBook Pro 2018 or higher.
As Apple explained on its website, there is an easy way to check if your Mac has a T2 chip.
It is not known why a security chip (T2) is needed, but it may be more capable of handling 4K HDR content. Because it can be used as an adjunctive processor.
According to marketing materials from Apple's October 2018 event, the T2 security chip has built-in video processing capabilities because it supports the popular HEVC codec.
Apple states on its website that its latest iMac security chip: T2 makes HEVC two times faster than T1 security chip.
It is not clear if the HEVC service uses Netflix for HD streaming.
When you use Netflix (HEVC) for HD streaming, the (T2) chip can go a long way in helping Netflix's 4K HDR content run smoothly on your Mac.
In addition to a Mac with a T2 chip, you'll need to subscribe to the Netflix Premium Plan for $ 16 a month.
You can only stream 4K HDR content through Safari because other browsers set the resolution to 720p on the Mac.