Just last month, Amazon was talking up plans to add High Dynamic Range (HDR) to its 4K TV streaming service. Now they are actually putting those plans into action. The company recently started streaming with HDR, but the content is limited—and so is its audience.
To start, that HDR perk will only be available to Amazon Prime customers in the U.S. Also, it’s only available on Mozart in the Jungle, an Amazon Original Series from writers Jason Schwartzman, Roman Coppola and Paul Weitz. The new comedy stars Gael Garcia Bernal, Malcolm McDowell, Lola Kirke and Bernadette Peters.
“It’s been a great year for Mozart in the Jungle,” said Coppola. “Now, having the first season available for fans in an upgraded visual experience is exciting—the enhanced quality makes every scene look even better and we hope it’s something that our viewers really enjoy.”
HDR allows video content to have more steps between the blackest black and the whitest white, which means you can capture high-contrast scenes, such as sunsets, starfields, street lamps and more, all with much greater realism. It also promises better colors and more distinct highlights.
If you think having HDR on just the: one show is exclusive, know that you’re also going to need one of Samsung’s SUHD TVs (pictured) to get the goods. Currently, that’s the only 4K TV line that can get Amazon’s 4K streaming with HDR, via the: Amazon Video app. Not to worry; LG Electronics is planning to add Amazon 4K HDR streaming to its LG OLED 4K Ultra HD TVs in the coming weeks.
“OLED technology is perfectly suited for HDR content because it delivers perfect, absolute black—which only OLED TVs can achieve,” said Tim Alessi, head of new product development for home entertainment at LG Electronics USA. “By starting from perfect black, OLED is able to produce the required light ranges at a lower peak brightness, resulting in an exceptional, and comfortable, HDR viewing experience from any viewing angle.”
Amazon has been streaming 4K TV content since December 2014. The service’s 4K content comes at a premium price, but Prime customers can score it for free—along with the HDR. Amazon Prime offers unlimited streaming, and 2-day shipping privileges, for $99 per year.
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