Ignacy Giżyński
Motor sports fans have received a long-awaited gift – streaming Formula 1 in 4K and HDR. The F1 TV Premium service, which has just debuted, offers the highest image quality in history; however, the enthusiasm may dwindle after learning about the technical restrictions.
What's new in the F1 app?
The key new feature is Multiview, allowing users to simultaneously track multiple cameras (e.g. main view, selected car or track map) in one window. Unfortunately, this option is not available on Android devices. Subscribers can also stream events on up to six devices at the same time, taking advantage of additional benefits such as onboard cameras, archival materials, or listening to radio communications from the teams. However, it's worth noting that VOD (video on demand) content is typically not rendered in 4K.
The new subscription package allows you to watch all Grand Prix sessions – from practice to races – in 4K resolution (3840x2160 pixels) with dynamic HDR and a smooth 50 frames per second. The broadcast without HDR has a bitrate of 14 Mbps, while the version with extended colour and brightness range has a bitrate of 17 Mbps. The annual cost of access to F1 TV PREMIUM is 89.99 EURO OR 11.99 EURO monthly.
F1 in 4K not for everyone
What's the catch? Hardware requirements. Currently, 4K HDR is supported only by apps on Apple TV 4K (tvOS) and Roku TV. The former solution is the only real option for Europeans – Roku is practically non-existent on the Old Continent. Additionally, older models of Apple TV (1st generation) limit HDR to 30 fps, which forces users to purchase newer versions (2nd or 3rd gen). The rest of the platforms lag behind. The F1 TV app on Google TV, Chromecast, browsers, or Android offers only HD in SDR. Users of iPhones and iPads can count on HDR, but the maximum resolution is 1080p.
Although F1 TV Premium is an obvious step forward, there is a clear gap between ambition and reality. For many fans – especially in Europe – this means the necessity of investing in Apple equipment or waiting for expanded support. Will updates follow the debut of the service? We will probably have to wait until the next season for an answer.
