Jordan O'BrienFollowing hot on the heels of Netflix’s roll-out of Dolby Vision and HDR:10 content, Amazon Instant Video has also begun releasing content in the format.
Amazon has supported HDR:10 for a while, but with this new announcement content supporting Dolby Vision has been made available for consumption. The range of content is rather varied too, with both third-party blockbuster films and Amazon Original Series Bosch now available for viewing.
Like Netflix’s support of Dolby Vision, actually consuming the content comes with a catch. That catch is the fact that Dolby Vision content can only be enjoyed on select televisions – which in this case are those from LG.
CE Pro Europe believes that HDR is the must-have TV technology of 2016, with the publication believing that the extra bits of information available to Dolby Vision over HDR:10 make it the superior standard.
While HDR:10 does boost the wide colour gamut and offer an impressive high dynamic range, it is capable of processing just 10-bits of information. Dolby Vision films and TV series however are mastered in 12-bits, meaning they receive far more information – including frame-by-frame metadata – to enhance the image even further. Dolby Vision is also capable of a peak brightness up to 10,000 nits, 10 times that of HDR:10.
“The Dolby Vision ecosystem is garnering momentum, affirming that the best way to enjoy stunning content with expanded dynamic range and ultra-vivid colors is with Dolby Vision,” says Curt Behlmer, senior vice president, content solutions and industry relations, Dolby Laboratories.
“With the increased number of Dolby Vision enabled TVs now in market, Amazon’s commitment to deliver Dolby Vision content to consumers marks another leap forward in providing viewers around the world with access to exceptional movies and original content that come to life on screen.”
“We’re thrilled that starting today customers have access to titles, including our binge-worthy Amazon Original Series, in Dolby Vision HDR,” adds Jim Freeman, vice president of Amazon Video.
“Today is just the beginning. We will continue to expand our selection, adding more movies and TV series for our customers to watch and enjoy in the premium picture quality of HDR.”
The first Dolby Vision titles that are available today on Amazon Video include the second season of the Amazon Original Series Bosch —the hour long drama based on Michael Connelly’s internationally best-selling Harry Bosch book series.
Amazon Prime members can watch Bosch in Dolby Vision at no additional cost to their membership. In addition, Hollywood favourites from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment: The Smurfs 2, After Earth, Men in Black 3, Hancock, Salt, Pineapple Express, Fury, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Chappie and Elysium are available to purchase in Dolby Vision for all customers on Amazon Video.