Netflix will soon start streaming some of its original TV series in 4K HDR quality, starting with Marco Polo and Daredevil. The company will support both the HDR10 and Dolby Vision formats.
Netflix’s HDR is coming soon
One year ago at CES 2015, Netflix was on stage to talk about HDR (high dynamic range) but nothing happened in 2015. At this year’s CES 2016 show, Netflix repeated that it will start streaming in HDR quality very soon.
Netflix did not offer an exact date but confirms that Marco Polo will be one of the first shows to be available in HDR on its service. At CES 2016, Netflix also showcased clips from the Daredevil series in Dolby Vision. The official debut will happen with the release of the new seasons of the two shows. Daredevil season 2 is coming March 18 and Marco Polo season 2 will be released on a yet-unspecified date in 2016.
At CES 2016, Netflix demonstrated Daredevil in Dolby Vision on one of LG’s new 4K HDR OLED TVs. It looking quite stunning with excellent shadow details and bright highlights, but we suspect that it was not a live streaming feed. Either way, you can expect a nice step up in picture quality from Netflix’s current 4K streaming.
Dolby Vision-enabled TVs include LG’s 2016 OLEDs and “Super UHD TVs” as well as Vizio’s Reference TV and TCL’s upcoming “Xclusive” TV.
Netflix will also support the HDR10 format, which means the HDR streams can be enjoyed on HDR TVs without Dolby Vision support. HDR TVs will be released by most TV manufacturers in 2016.