Amazon Video said it has begun to stream titles in Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range, marking an expansion to its initial foray into HDR streaming last year.
While 4K video delivers more pixels, HDR supports brighter and more colorful pixels, which can be applied to 4K as well as HD video.
Titles currently available from Amazon Video in Dolby Vision HDR include Amazon original series Bosch (season 2), along with a batch of movies from Sony Pictures Entertainment, including After Earth, The Amazing Spiderman 2, The Smurfs 2, Chappie, Elysium, Fury, Hancock, and Pineapple Express, now offered for rent or purchase in the format.
Amazon noted that Prime members can stream titles in Dolby Vision and HDR 10 at no additional cost to their membership. HDR 10 content is supported by Amazon’s app on compatible Samsung, Sony and LG smart TVs, while Dolby Vision HDR titles are offered from Amazon on compatible LG smart TVs.
Amazon noted that it plans to offer more than 150 hours of HDR content by the end of the year.
Netflix entered the HDR mix in April, announcing then that it would offer more than 100 hours of HDR programming by August, and more than 150 hours by the end of 2016. Comcast, meanwhile, plans to start shipping its first set-top with HDR capabilities, the Xi5, by July 4, ensuring its availability for the Rio Olympics, where NBCUniversal will be producing some coverage in the format.
