YouTube Brings In Support For HDR To Deliver More Vibrant, Detailed Video Quality

YouTube announced earlier today that it is enabling HDR (High Dynamic Range) support to deliver improved video quality to users. However, not everyone will be able to take advantage of the added feature, since it’s limited to a number of devices.

“Starting today, you can watch YouTube videos in HDR on supported devices, such as HDR TVs with the new Chromecast Ultra, and soon on all 2016 Samsung SUHD and UHD TVs,” YouTube said on its official blog. “If you're using a device that doesn't yet support HDR, don't worry, videos will still play in standard dynamic range.”

The addition of HDR support is the latest upgrade out of the many improvements that YouTube has implemented over the last few years. The video streaming platform has already been supporting features like 4K video, 3D, live streaming and even 360-degree videos. With HDR, users will be able to watch videos with better quality. HDR delivers more detailed videos, and it also makes colors more vibrant.

YouTube has also partnered with creators to make sure that users will already have HDR videos to watch right now. YouTube partnered with the likes of MysteryGuitarMan, Jacob + Katie Schwarz and Abandon Visuals to deliver new videos with HDR.

This also means that everyone will be able to upload their own HDR videos on YouTube as well. The company has updated its support page to guide users on how to upload HDR videos on their own. The page includes upload requirements, file encoding as well as recommended tools for making HDR videos.

Although not mentioned by YouTube, users will also be able to upload HDR clips from their PlayStation 4 Pro, as pointed out by Polygon. However, the YouTube app for the PS4 hasn’t been updated yet. The Xbox One S supports HDR content, too.

Services like Netflix and Amazon already support HDR, but YouTube is bringing it to both viewers and creators. This would also prompt more manufacturers to start putting HDR support on their TVs, as pointed out by The Next Web.

The real problem now is how many will be able to take advantage of the new feature. There are currently no computers that support HDR, and the only smartphone that supports HDR, the Galaxy Note 7, has been discontinued. The only other way to start watching HDR content on YouTube is to buy a very expensive 4K UHDTV with HDR support.