Netflix Embraces HDR10+

According to the FlatpanelsHD website, Netflix has officially joined the ranks of platforms supporting the HDR10+ standard. This format may not be revolutionary, as it utilizes solutions similar to Dolby Vision, but it certainly represents an important step in the development of the HDR content market. HDR10+, like Dolby Vision, offers enhanced imagery with dynamic metadata, allowing for precise optimization of image quality scene by scene, which we have confirmed multiple times in tests.

What is HDR10+

HDR10+ is an extension of the classic HDR10 format that uses so-called dynamic metadata. This means that the image can be optimized scene by scene (and even frame by frame), resulting in better color reproduction, deeper blacks, and more detailed bright parts of the image. Sounds great? But it might be hard to imagine? No worries, below we provide two images in HDR10 and HDR10+ so you can see the differences in the image yourself!

HDR10+ vs. Dolby Vision – what’s it all about?

For years, Dolby Vision has been in control – mainly thanks to dynamic metadata and excellent image quality. HDR10+ works on a very similar principle but has one major advantage: it is free and open! This means that TV manufacturers and film studios do not have to pay Dolby licensing fees to use the dynamic codec. In theory, HDR10+ should therefore gain popularity faster. The problem is that it debuted a bit later than Dolby Vision, which meant that most studios had already committed to the format from California's Dolby. Thus, HDR10+ has had a rough decade… but fortunately (especially for Samsung TV owners), the situation is finally starting to change.

After a decade, does Samsung's strategy start to work?

Samsung has consistently ignored Dolby Vision, focusing exclusively on its proprietary (developed with the help of Panasonic) HDR10+. Initially, this strategy seemed controversial, especially at a time when Dolby Vision was gaining significant popularity. However, today, after nearly a decade, this decision is starting to yield results. Netflix is the latest major platform to officially adopt this standard.

Netflix Embraces AV1 and HDR10+

It's worth noting that Netflix has launched streaming in HDR10+ using the modern AV1 codec. This format provides even better compression and data transmission efficiency, allowing movies and shows to be watched in higher quality even at lower internet speeds. Netflix promises that with AV1, HDR10+ will soon become one of the most widely used standards on the platform.

How to Watch HDR10+ on Netflix?

To watch a movie or series in the HDR10+ standard, a few conditions must be met:

• have an active Netflix Premium plan,

• use a device compatible with the AV1 codec and HDR10+ (most Samsung TVs from the last few years meet this requirement),

• make sure that the HDR option is enabled in the Netflix app settings.

You can find detailed tests and comparisons of HDR10+ image quality with other standards in the TV tests in the "HDR Effect Quality" paragraph.

HDR10+ is becoming increasingly popular

Netflix announces that by the end of 2025, all productions available in HDR will also be in HDR10+ format (even older ones). This is great news, especially for those who, for various reasons, could not use Dolby Vision. Of course, Dolby Vision will remain on top for a long time, but the growing popularity of HDR10+ shows that there is room for both standards in the market. In the end, viewers will benefit the most, meaning all of us – fans of good cinema and series.

Source: flatpanelshd.com