Posted Wed Jul 12, 2017 at 05:00 PM PDT by Steven Cohen
Google's digital movie service now includes HDR support.
Google has announced the launch of HDR (high dynamic range) playback for select titles in the Google Play Movies and TV store in the US and Canada. HDR support for Google Play titles is currently available through HDR compatible 4K Ultra HD TVs connected to a Chromecast Ultra dongle. Support for Android TV, Google Cast enabled TVs, and other HDR media devices could be added in the future.
Google Play titles available in 4K with HDR includes movies like Pacific Rim, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Suicide Squad, Mad Max: Fury Road, Kong: Skull Island, Batman v Superman, and more. Current prices range from $25 to $30. HDR playback is only available with the 4K versions of supported titles and Google recommends a consistent download speed of at least 15 megabits per second.
The Chromecast Ultra ($69) plugs into a display's HDMI port, allowing users to cast all of their favorite content from thousands of apps using a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. In addition, the device supports 4K, HDR (high dynamic range) and Dolby Vision content, offering playback support for videos with higher resolution, expanded colors, and enhanced contrast. The Ultra model loads videos 1.8 times faster than older Chromecast models, includes major Wi-Fi improvements for streaming, and offers integrated Ethernet support for wired connections. Customers can also mirror any content from an Android device or a Chrome browser tab on a laptop to their TV screen. Finally, the device includes Google Home support as well, allowing users to control their Chromecast from their voice-activated speakers.
Click here to check out a full list of currently available Google Play Movie HDR titles.
Source: Google
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