Netflix adds support for HDR video streaming on mobile phones

With Netflix getting aggressive in the mobile space and smartphones getting bigger, better screens, it seems the latest announcement from the company is an inevitability. According to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, their streaming video service will soon support HDR video streaming on smartphones. He made the announcement during his keynote at Mobile World Congress saying it’ll start with the LG G6. Having an 18:9 display ratio, the LG flagship allows for full screen viewing of Netflix originals like House of Cards and Stranger Things. Now, you can add being able to see these shows in HDR, too. The price that comes with it, though, is a bump in price at US$11.99 a month instead of US$9.99 and, of course, higher data use.

Aside from HDR, Hastings also announced that there will be new video encodes for mobile devices to help those with poor internet connection to stream up to 30 hours of Netflix videos per month even with a small 2GB data cap.

Source: Android Authority

YouTube gets HDR treatment

Simulated SDR vs HDR comparison (seeing true HDR requires an HDR display)

YouTube has always readily adapted new audio and video formats into its service. This time around, it adds High Dynamic Range (HDR) support in the mix. What this promises to give to you is videos with “higher contrast, revealing precise, detailed shadows, and stunning highlights with more clarity than ever.” Colors should come out more vibrant in HDR mode. The feature will come to support devices, like HDR TVs with Chromecast Ultra or soon on 2016 Samsung SUHD and UHD TVs. You can see some sample content from YouTube creators like MysteryGuitarMan and Abandon Visuals. If you’re a creator, you can learn about uploading HDR videos from this link.

Sony's TX5 and H55 point and shoot cameras announced

Sony recently unveiled two new Cyber-shot point-and-shoot digital still cameras (models DSC-TX5 and DSC-H55). Slim enough to fit in your pocket or purse at less than an inch thin -- about the size of a deck of cards. Get to know these new cameras after the jump.

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