YouTube, via a post on its official blog earlier this week, has officially launched support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) content on the widely popular video platform. This means that all users will be able to upload HDR videos going forward, though they’ll need to export using a supported application that encodes HDR metadata in the video’s codec or container. HDR results in a wider color gamut, higher contrast, and more detailed shadows.
End users will need an HDR-compatible display to see the difference; simply playing one of these videos on an unsupported device will reveal no change in visual quality. YouTube recommends devices like the Chromecast Ultra and 2016 Samsung SUHD/UHD TVs.
This is big news for gamers, because the Xbox One S, PlayStation 4 Pro, and upcoming Scorpio all support 4K output. YouTube will soon be updating its PS4 app to support 4K and HDR, so you’ll be able to watch compatible videos at their highest quality if you’re willing to invest in a PS4 Pro. To me, this seems like more of a bonus than a major draw, but it’s something I’ll definitely be checking out on my Pro as soon as I have the opportunity.
Source: YouTube Official Blog