The high dynamic range format wars seem to have taken a new turn, following a new update to the Apple TV app for Samsung TV added new support for HDR10+.
The weekend has seen numerous social media posts and online forums from Samsung TV owners that the new software revision has support for the HDR format.
Based on FlatpanelsHD (opens in a new tab)How is the score of users who have posted a large number of rental movies in the Apple TV library Top Gun: Maverick and popular Apple TV+ shows like Ted Lasso was available for viewing in HDR10+ in the app, while noting a huge improvement in picture quality.
The development comes after Apple last week announced an updated and cheaper version, third generation Apple TV 4K streaming boxincludes support for HDR10+ as one of its main new features.
Co-developed by Samsung with 20th Century Fox and Panasonic and first announced in 2017. HDR10+ format is a direct competitor to Dolby Vision.
Like its rival Dolby, HDR10+ aims to provide a wider color gamut on Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) content, while also allowing for higher levels of contrast and significant brightness.
Importantly, unlike Dolby’s proprietary standard, HDR10+ is royalty-free, meaning that TV and set top box manufacturers don’t have to pay royalties to include this feature in their products.
By far the only major player in terms of streaming services with meaningful support for HDR10+ is Amazon Prime Video, with highlights like Disney Plus and Netflix on the format… except for even Amazon started including Dolby Vision content recently.
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While the debate rages on the pros and cons of both HDR formats – to me, Dolby Vision currently has the edge over HDR10+ thanks to better tone mapping – the truth is that there isn’t a huge amount Which separates DV and HDR10+ when it comes to picture quality.
What’s indisputable is that Samsung’s stance of continuing to favor their own HDR format while staunchly refusing to adopt the much better supported Dolby Vision up to this point has left Sammy owners struggling. to present their TV at its best, thanks to the lack of content available in HDR10+.
Adding Apple support for this format would be a huge boon for Samsung. It has the double benefit of giving HDR10+ kudos of a major third-party carrier support, while also finally giving its TV users a huge amount of content in HDR quality. higher through the best online movie store for 4K HDR content.
It’s not hard to see Apple’s motivation in using the HDR10+ bus. Samsung remains the largest TV maker in the world, and with the majority of Korean manufacturers 4K TVs made since 2016 are compatible with HDR10+, it allows Apple to reach an HDR-loving user base. as it looks to create a stronger foothold for its burgeoning streaming service.
The competition between streaming services to retain and add customers has never been greater. With Apple and Amazon Prime Video both coming with HDR10+, pressure is now mounting for the likes of Disney Plus and Netflix to follow suit or find themselves at a disadvantage with Samsung TV owners.
Maybe this change in support will make a difference if you’re looking to buy one Black Friday TV deals This year…
