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Watching the Tokyo Olympics: How to see the Summer Games in 4K video

Did you buy a 4K TV over the holidays or during the pandemic? The Summer Olympics is when it could really perform.

For the Tokyo Olympics, which began Friday and run through Aug. 8, NBC will broadcast live 4K video from Japan. Each night's primetime telecast will be available in 4K video, which has four times the resolution of current HD.

The broadcasts also boast Dolby Vision HDR (high dynamic range, for increased contrast and richer colors) and Dolby Atmos surround sound.

For those with 4K/HDR TVs and/or a Dolby Atmos soundbar or home theater system, "the combination of these technologies could make this one of the most exciting sporting events you can experience from your couch," said Ryan Waniata, managing editor of electronics at Reviewed.com, which is part of the USA TODAY Network.

"The 4K resolution will make even minor details pop, the availability of HDR (including Dolby’s dynamic version) will bring rich contrast and explosive colors, and Dolby Atmos could really tie it all together, providing atmospheric sound to bring these iconic moments to life."

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NBC's 4K broadcasts will include gymnastics and Simone Biles, shown here during the women's U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials on June 25, 2021, in St. Louis.
NBC's 4K broadcasts will include gymnastics and Simone Biles, shown here during the women's U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials on June 25, 2021, in St. Louis.

Among the sports scheduled to be shown in 4K in primetime are gymnastics, track and field, swimming, diving and beach volleyball.

You can find tennis and wrestling in 4K on the Olympic Channel – yes, it's a real channel, owned by the U.S. Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Committee and Comcast – while The Golf Channel will deliver the golf competition.

More Americans are getting 4K TV, which first hit stores nine years ago. As of May, about 43% of TVs in U.S. living rooms were 4K, as are about 31% of all TVs, according to Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis at The NPD Group. Now, 95% of all TVs 43 inches and larger sold in the U.S. are 4K TVs.

OK, it's in 4K. What's the big deal?

4K broadcasts can be impressive. I recently flipped between HD and 4K broadcasts of the MLB All-Star Game and The Open Championship golf tournament held in the U.K. Watching DirecTV on a 75-inch Samsung Neo QLED 4K Smart TV the TV maker lent me recently for testing and reviewing purposes.

I could see fine details of hitters' uniforms during close-ups in the batter's box with the 4K video. And wide shots of the ballpark were as crisp as if you were perched high in the upper level looking down on the venue.

On the British Open 4K broadcasts, you could almost read the green as if you are lining up a putt, something only the best HD video can approach.

How to watch the Olympics in 4K

But just because you have a 4K TV and NBC doesn't necessarily mean you will be able to watch Olympic action in 4K. You may need to check with your provider to see whether it is providing the higher-res video.

NBCUniversal parent Comcast will make live 4K broadcasts available for Xfinity customers in 38 markets, including Atlanta, Houston, Kansas City, Salt Lake City and Washington (check NBC's list for coverage). It will also re-air the 4K primetime show (including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies) the next day at 2 p.m. ET.

Peacock, NBCUniversal's streaming app, will not be providing 4K video, but will stream Olympics programming for free. However, to watch the U.S. men's basketball team, you will need a Peacock Premium subscription ($4.99 monthly, free for Comcast’s eligible Xfinity X1 and Flex customers, and eligible Cox Contour customers).

Summer Games: What to know about NBC's coverage of the Tokyo Olympics

Other TV providers that will offer the Olympics in 4K:

Cox Contour customers can watch three Olympics 4K channels.

DirecTV. The satellite TV provider will have a dedicated 4K channel (105) with one-day delayed coverage of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, gymnastics, track and field, golf and other sports.

Dish. Golf Channel and Olympics Channel 4K HDR video will be available on Channels 148 and 540.

fuboTV. will have NBC, Golf Channel and Olympic Channel 4K HDR coverage in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Boston.

Optimum/Altice One customers in the New York area (including New Jersey and Connecticut) will be able to watch NBC's coverage on Channel 200.

Verizon Fios customers with Fios TV One will be able to watch NBC’s Olympics coverage on four 4K dedicated channels: Golf Channel (1493) and the Olympic Channel (1494). And in New York and Philadelphia, Fios TV One customers can see the live NBC 4K broadcasts on Channels 1491 and 1492.

YouTube TV will have NBC, Golf Channel and Olympic Channel 4K coverage nationwide.

And if you're a Charter, Atlantic Broadband, Frontier, Sling or Hulu subscriber, sorry. They confirmed there are no Olympics in 4K for them.

Follow Mike Snider on Twitter: @MikeSnider.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tokyo Olympics: How to watch Summer Games action in stunning 4K video