By asahifile Disney+ Introduces HDR10+ Support, Expands High-Definition Streaming Options
Disney+ has recently announced its support for the HDR10+ format, allowing subscribers to enjoy movies and shows in enhanced visual quality. This new feature is currently available for select titles from Hulu, the streaming service Disney acquired in June 2020. According to recent reports from Samsung, over 1,000 Hulu titles are now accessible in HDR10+, with promises of additional Disney+ content featuring this advanced imaging technology in the near future.
Historically, Disney+ limited its HDR offerings to HDR10 and Dolby Vision formats. The first devices to support HDR10+ streaming from Disney+ are Samsung TVs, particularly the Samsung Crystal UHD models and above released since 2018, including the QLED and OLED lines. The newly updated Disney+ app for Apple’s tvOS also lists HDR10+ among its features.
Hulu initially introduced HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision for some of its content in 2021. With Disney’s acquisition and the integration of Hulu’s and Disney+’s libraries into a unified app, Disney+ can now extend HDR10+ support to a selection of titles.
The move to include HDR10+ is particularly significant for Samsung TV users, who typically don’t have access to Dolby Vision. This feature enhances the platform’s appeal to avid home theater enthusiasts who favor Samsung’s leading brand in the television market.
Understanding HDR10+ in Streaming
HDR10+ offers advantages over traditional HDR10 by utilizing dynamic metadata that allows for frame-by-frame optimization, as opposed to the static metadata employed by HDR10. This dynamic capability enables content creators to precisely control the visual output of each individual frame. Both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision improve image quality by addressing issues like black levels, yet Dolby Vision remains superior in its color control and versatility due to its 12-bit color depth.
Despite Dolby Vision’s wider adoption, the entry of HDR10+ into mainstream use provides advantages for streaming services like Disney+, especially as competition among providers intensifies. As consumers increasingly weigh their options amidst rising subscription costs, services like Disney+ are under more pressure to cater to their audiences’ preferences.
Notably, in March, Netflix began supporting HDR10+ across its offerings, joining Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, which have also incorporated this format. Unlike some competitors, Disney+ allows its users to access HDR content even with the most basic subscription plan.
With the recent price hikes at Disney+ influencing user perception, the introduction of HDR10+ usage may be a strategic response to enhance customer satisfaction and retention.
Conclusion
As Disney+ enhances its HDR capabilities, it positions itself favorably in a crowded market. HDR10+ support not only expands the range of high-definition content available to subscribers but also aligns with the platform’s efforts to appeal to a growing audience valuing quality streaming experiences. This move reflects the ongoing evolution of streaming services as they adapt to meet customer expectations amidst a rapidly changing landscape.