Netflix now streams HDR10+ content on devices using the AV1 codec
To watch Netflix in HDR10+, you do need to be subscribed to its Premium tier.
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The official logo of the HDR10+ consortium. Photo: hdr10plus.org.
Netflix has announced the expansion of its support for HDR content, with a key new addition being HDR10+ support on AV1-enabled devices to subscribers of its premium plan. The streaming content service had previously only streamed content based on Dolby Vision and HDR10 standards.
While this move will enhance the viewing experience of TV owners who bought a new TV in the last few years, as most support HDR10+, Samsung TV owners can now make better use of their TV’s ability to stream with better clarity and color.
HDR10+, also known as HDR10 Plus, was announced on 20 April 2017 by Samsung and Amazon Vision as an alternative to Dolby Vision. Slightly more than 18 months later, support for the standard grew to 45 partners, with new partnerships with companies in the online streaming, content service, and semiconductor industries.
HDR10+ is an advanced version of High Dynamic Range (HDR), featuring dynamic metadata that adjusts brightness and tone on a scene-by-scene basis, providing more accurate and vibrant visuals. HDR10 however, uses static metadata, applying a single setting across an entire title. By adopting HDR10+ support, Netflix allows HDR10+ capable TVs to display content with better clarity, contrast, and color accuracy compared to the older HDR10 standard.
Netflix’s support allows streaming of HDR10+ content for all users on its Premium plan. In Singapore, this works out to be S$25.98 per month and allows 4K streaming for up to four users for simultaneous viewing and six devices for downloads.
But, this move also benefits owners of all devices supporting the AV1 codec which is relatively common in tablets and smartphones. Netflix previously enabled AV1 encoding for SDR content, where it became the second most streamed codec at Netflix. So with the support for HDR10+, Netflix added that it is expecting to see AV1 be the most streamed codec at Netflix.
This update is part of Netflix's broader strategy to support HDR10 in all HDR titles by the end of 2025. As Netflix continues to expand its HDR10+ content, it promises to offer better, more immersive video for viewers with compatible devices.
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