RAW vs. HD/4K
Browsing the categories in your IPTV app you'll see names like SWEDEN HD/RAW, VIAPLAY RAW or PRIME RAW 60fps. RAW is not a resolution — it says something about how the stream has been handled on its way to you.
This guide explains the difference, what it asks of your connection, and when to choose which.
What does RAW mean?
RAW describes a stream passed on with as little reprocessing as possible — as close to the source as you can get. The signal is not re-compressed, but delivered at the quality it is broadcast in.
Ordinary channels are instead re-encoded to a lower bitrate before being sent out. That saves bandwidth and makes the stream steadier on weaker connections, but some picture information is lost along the way.
Tips
RAW is about bitrate, not resolution. A RAW channel in Full HD may well look better than a re-encoded 4K channel, because bitrate determines how much detail survives in the picture.
The difference in practice
| RAW | Re-encoded HD/4K | |
|---|---|---|
| Picture quality | Closest to source | Slightly softer |
| Bitrate | High | Lower |
| Connection required | Higher | Lower |
| Sensitivity to interruptions | Greater | Less |
| Load on your device | Higher | Lower |
The difference shows up most in fast motion — sport with a lot of panning, ice hockey pucks, motorsport — and in dark scenes, where re-encoding often produces visible blocky patches in the shadows.
At a normal sofa distance on a smaller TV, however, the difference is hard to spot.
What does RAW require?
RAW channels carry a higher bitrate and therefore ask more of your setup:
- A wired connection is recommended — WiFi is often enough, but tolerates less variation
- At least 25 Mbit/s for Full HD in RAW, 50 Mbit/s or more for 4K
- A device that can keep up — older boxes and built-in smart TV apps may stutter on high bitrates even when the connection is sufficient
If a RAW channel buffers while the ordinary version of the same channel plays fine, the limit is almost always your bandwidth or your device — not the channel.
What are the HEVC categories?
Alongside RAW you'll see categories marked HEVC. That is the opposite trade-off: HEVC (also called H.265) compresses more efficiently and uses less bandwidth at the same resolution, but demands more of your device's decoding.
| Variant | Bandwidth | Device requirements |
|---|---|---|
| RAW | High | Moderate |
| Standard HD/4K | Moderate | Low |
| HEVC | Low | High |
Fast connection but an older box — choose RAW. Modern device but a limited connection — choose HEVC.
Which should I choose?
| Your situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Fibre and a modern box or Apple TV | RAW |
| Fast connection, older device | RAW or standard |
| Limited connection, modern device | HEVC |
| Limited connection, older device | Standard HD |
| It buffers regardless | Standard HD, and see our buffering guide |
Try the same channel in both variants one evening. If you see no difference, the standard version is the safer choice — it is more forgiving when the connection wavers.
Frequently asked questions
Is RAW always better?
No. RAW carries more picture information, but only if your connection and device can keep up. A RAW channel that buffers looks worse than a standard channel that runs smoothly.
Does RAW cost extra?
No. Every variant is included in your subscription. You choose which category to watch in.
Why is the same channel in several categories?
So you can pick the variant that suits your connection and your equipment. The same channel may exist as RAW, standard and HEVC.
How do I see what bitrate a channel has?
In TiviMate you can enable an information overlay that shows the current resolution and bitrate during playback. See our TiviMate guide.
RAW stutters but ordinary channels work — what do I do?
Switch to a wired connection, then try the standard variant of the same channel. If the problem remains only on RAW, bandwidth or your device is the bottleneck.
Summary
- RAW = the stream is passed on with minimal reprocessing, closest to the source
- Standard HD/4K = re-encoded to a lower bitrate, more forgiving
- HEVC = more efficient compression, less bandwidth but higher device requirements
- RAW is about bitrate, not resolution
- All variants are included — pick the one that suits your connection
Read more about resolutions in our guide to HD, Full HD and 4K.