Tomasz Wadowski
Philips Joins Samsung – Netflix Launches HDR10+ Support
Netflix has officially begun rolling out support for the HDR10+ format – and although the process is gradual, it is already known that the next manufacturer whose TVs are ready for the new format is Philips. Previously, a similar declaration was made by Samsung, and now another player, this time a holding company, is joining the game.
HDR10+ Available on Philips TVs Since 2022
According to the editorial team at FlatpanelsHD, Philips TVs from the 2022 and newer models, equipped with the Google TV or Titan OS, already support playback of Netflix content in HDR10+ format. This primarily concerns models from the lower series PUS7 and PUS80, which often do not support the competing Dolby Vision format.
PML8709 is a budget MINI-LED television that supports the HDR10+ format. You can find its review here:
Three HDR Formats on Netflix – with a Certain "But"
In March, Netflix officially announced that its library will gradually be available in as many as three HDR formats: classic HDR10, Dolby Vision, and now HDR10+. However, the introduction of the new format does not mean that users with TVs supporting both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ will be able to choose freely – Netflix defaults to Dolby Vision, as long as the device supports it. Furthermore, in order for Netflix content to be available in HDR10+, the TV must support the AV1 codec – this is a technical requirement that not all models meet, especially those from earlier years.
Competition for Dolby is Growing Strong
Unlike the static HDR10, the HDR10+ format utilizes dynamic metadata, which allows for adjustments to brightness and contrast on a scene-by-scene basis. This is particularly important for lower-quality LCD TVs, where the brightness of the TV is often insufficient for content mastered by professional film studios. Among the competition, HDR10+ is gaining more and more allies. Amazon Prime Video has been a partner of the format since its launch, Apple added support in 2022, and Disney+ plans to join in 2025.
Although currently only about half of the HDR catalog on Netflix is available in HDR10+, the pace of change suggests that the format may become a permanent fixture among the most important technologies available on streaming platforms. For users of TVs without Dolby Vision – especially in cheaper models – this is definitely good news.
