PS4 Xbox One PlayStation 4
The PS4 and Xbox One's controllers. Reuters

Sony and Microsoft will release revised versions of their PS4 and Xbox One consoles that support 4K content this year, claims streaming giant Netflix.

Speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month (via Huffington Post) Netflix's Chief Product Officer Neil Hunt said during a press conference that Sony have "promised" a new PS4 with 4K support this year.

Forbes looked into Hunt's comments, contacting Netflix for clarification. Unsurprisingly they said they weren't in the position to "speak definitively" about Sony's plans.

They did however say that Hunt believes Sony and Microsoft traditionally revise their console hardware two years after release (which would be October/November 2015) and that the revisions will include the components needed for 4K video playback.

In response to Forbes, Sony said: "Support for high-resolution 4K output for still images and movie content is in consideration, but there are no further details to share at this time," while Microsoft said: "We remain committed to bringing leading entertainment features and services to the living room. Beyond that, we have nothing to share at this time."

For the console manufacturers 4K is something they cannot ignore. Sales of 4K television sets are set to boom this year and Netflix are leading the way in providing content for them. They have been streaming in 4K since April 2013 – prior to the release of either console.

Even if the consoles are 4K-enabled, it will likely only be for video and photographs, rather than gaming. 4K gaming is still some way off becoming a reality on consoles.

Should Sony and Microsoft be working on new hardware, it's unlikely we'll hear anything official until E3 in June.