Streaming 4K High Dynamic Range (HDR)

Google Play Movies gets 4K HDR streaming support.

16:12 14 July 2017

Google has started rolling out 4K High Dynamic Range (HDR) support for selected movies and TV shows through Play Movies and TV.

 

If you visit the Google Play Movie store, you’ll be provided with information (at the bottom of the movie info page) whether the movie you’re interested in renting or buying will output high dynamic range video on supported TVs.

 

Google is yet to release a comprehensive list of what is currently available but users can get an up-to-date selection by simply searching for “HDR movies”. Current choices include The Lego Movie, Kong: Skull Island, Suicide Squad, Where to Find Them, Fantastic Beasts and a mix of older films.

 

More and more Android smartphones are also gaining HDR playback this year including Samsung’s Galaxy S8 and LG G6. HDR-compatible TVs with Google Cast Functionality built-in can stream the richer colours and deeper contrast that one can get with HDR. Google’s Chromecast Ultra streaming dongle also supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10 from streaming apps that offer content in them.