How to Enable 4K on Your Vizio TV

Vizio has a vast range of 4K UHD (ultra-high-definition) TVs. All of them have native 4K image quality, including HDR support. HDR refers to the high dynamic range, a feature that provides better contrast. That means the colors on the screen look more realistic.

If you need to turn on 4K on Vizio, you are probably using an external device, such as a computer, a gaming console, etc., which you have connected to your Vizio TV. In this case, you need to enable the HDR feature using the TVs settings, or the designated Vizio Smartcast App.

Keep reading for detailed instructions for both methods and additional insight.

How to Turn on 4K

Let’s get straight to the point and show you how to enable 4K HDR on your Vizio TV for external use. The native support will always be there, but you probably want to have a better picture on your PC, laptop, or console.

Follow the steps:

1. Download the Smartcast app for iOS or Android.
2. Launch the SmartCast app.
3. Tap on Settings.
4. Then tap Inputs, and choose HDMI Color Subsampling.
5. Select HDR on the HDMI port you are using (for example, HDMI 1 or other port to which you connected your device).

Note that we are assuming that you’ve already connected your external device to your Vizio 4K TV. If not, connect it using an HDMI cable, and follow the steps above. Just remember the HDMI port you used.

You Can Do This on Your Vizio TV Instead

If you don’t like smart devices and apps, we hear you. You can do this via your Vizio TV’s settings, as well. The steps might slightly vary depending on the type of Vizio TV you are using. That’s why we mentioned the app solution first – it is more general.

Anyway, here are the instructions for enabling 4K HDR on the Vizio V Series 4K TVs (it should work the same for the M and P models):

1. Power up your 4K Vizio TV.
2. Go to the Input Settings.
3. Select the correct HDMI port.
4. Enable the Full UHD Color option.
   

That’s it, your external device should now recognize the 4K HDR TV setting, and your picture should be clearer. Note that this only works on newer models, meaning that the older ones perhaps won’t be compatible. For example, while a PS4 Pro or Xbox One X may accept this 4K HDR resolution, their older counterparts won’t be able to run it.

Additional Neat Settings

Vizio 4K TVs have cool customization options you can adjust to your preference. Open the Picture settings on your TV and experiment. We recommend trying out the Film Mode, which will further improve the image quality for your viewing pleasure.

You have the Backlight feature on the same menu, as well as brightness and contrast. It all boils down to personal preference, and we will leave that to you. The motion settings on Vizio TVs are unfortunately limited, but enable Film Mode if you want a jitter-free image.

If you are a gamer, you will appreciate the setting called Game Low Latency. Open the Picture settings, then select More Picture, and turn on the Game Low Latency. This option will significantly reduce the input lag and improve your overall gaming experience.

If you are using a computer with your Vizio TV, we highly recommend that you run the Computer Picture Mode. Go to Picture Settings, followed by Picture Mode, and select Computer.

Enjoy Your 4K Content

That is how you enable 4K HDR on your Vizio TV for all external uses. Hopefully, this article helps you get the best image quality out of your TV. All Vizio 4K models are solid, but the latest P series is, without a doubt, the best one. Therefore, they are the most expensive ones.

No matter which 4K Vizio TV you have, you should be able to make use of these tips. Of course, the menu structure and the names of the options might vary slightly.

Feel free to leave your comments and questions in the comments section below.