Netflix Brings HDR10+ to Supported Devices
Netflix announced Monday that select movies and TV shows are now available to stream in HDR10+ on compatible devices. The format, which is known for its vibrancy, color accuracy, and contrast, should make it easier to view some of Netflix's infamously muddy programming.
In a blog post published via Medium, Netflix representatives shared that Premium subscribers—who pay a minimum of $25 per month for the privilege of surpassing 1080p—can immediately begin streaming HDR10+ versions of content previously limited to HDR10. Netflix facilitated the upgrade using the AV1 video codec, a high-quality compression codec designed to use minimal storage. Before, the brand's usage of AV1 was limited to SDR content; now, it will be used to enhance "both new releases and existing popular HDR titles," making half of Netflix's total available viewing hours HDR10+ eligible.
The addition of HDR10+ streaming brings Netflix's premium format count up to three. HDR10, the most widely supported version of HDR, uses static metadata to determine once how to display content. The actual viewing experience then differs widely depending on the capabilities of the TV, with QD-OLEDs offering some of the best HDR10 pictures. Dolby Vision, Netflix's other premium format, meanwhile uses dynamic metadata to change the way a TV "tone maps" in real time, creating what RTINGS.com refers to as a "punchier" image.
Top image: HDR10 metadata. Bottom image: HDR10+ metadata. Credit: Netflix
Like Dolby Vision, HDR10+ uses dynamic metadata to produce truer tone maps than regular HDR10. The result is a clearer image than what HDR10 can provide, with a level of contrast and detail that prevents scenes from looking "washed out." In the above example provided by Netflix, HDR10+ resolves the flashlight overexposure from the HDR10 image on top, offering the viewer a more accurate perception of the scene.
But not every Netflix Premium subscriber will have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of HDR10+. When HDR10+ came out in 2017, it was a collaboration between Samsung, Panasonic, and 20th Century Fox to counter Dolby's pricey Dolby Vision licensing requirements. It's taken a while for hardware providers to catch up: Today, only the latest-generation Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, and Roku devices offer plug-and-play HDR10+ experiences. Samsung TVs from the last several years carry HDR10+ support, as do Hisense, Panasonic, Philips, and TCL TVs, which offer both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision.
In short, not every entertainment setup will be capable of providing Netflix's new HDR10+ viewing experience. To see if your setup is compatible, check both your streaming device (if you use one) and the TV itself—the TV's "picture" or "display" modes might specify HDR10+ support. You can also look up your TV model on the manufacturer's website.
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