Those are webm however which the native Video app won't play.
We will see whether we will get support for it soon, even for the early 2016 models with the old MediaTek SoC from last year. At least Sony promised that back at CES:
YouTube will also start streaming in HDR quality later this year, using a new VP9-Profile 2 codec that brings HDR support to Google’s VP9 video format. Sony’s Motoi Kawamura, Head of TV Product Planning for Sony Europe, confirmed to FlatpanelsHD that the 2016 models will support VP9-Profile 2 and be capable of streaming YouTube in HDR. We saw a demo at CES and it looked very good.
I also get the HDR Video profile for conventional 4K clips (like this one for example). It creates an artificial HDR effect there. So that's no indication for VP9.2 decoding.
The company first announced that HDR video support was coming to YouTube at CES 2016 in January. Google has now pushed the button and says that you can enjoy HDR video on the new Chromecast Ultra and soon 2016 Samsung TVs.
YouTube in HDR
YouTube has been steadily adding support for high-end video formats, including 4K, 8K and HFR (High Frame Rate). It is now adding support for HDR, short for “High Dynamic Range”.
- “Today we are adding support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) videos on YouTube. HDR videos have higher contrast, revealing precise, detailed shadows and stunning highlights with more clarity than ever. Support for wide color gamut means colors are more vibrant. Simply put, HDR unlocks the most spectacular image quality we've ever streamed,” said Google.
The new video format covers two recent developments. The first is expanded dynamic range with deeper blacks, brighter whites, and improved highlights and shadow details. The second is a wider color space that covers more of the visible colors - up to Rec.2020 color gamut - than standard Rec.709.
To enjoy HDR video you need a HDR TV. HDR video is not comparable to HDR photography so the display needs specific hardware to reproduce the demanding video format. Google says that YouTube’s HDR streaming is available on the new ‘Chromecast Ultra’ and “soon” on Samsung 2016 “SUHD” and UHD TVs.
If you own another device you are out of luck for now but Google says that it “will work with partners to enable streaming of the HDR version”. The HDR videos are not available to watch on PCs yet.
Google did specify why that is but told FlatpanelsHD at CES 2016 that HDR streaming via YouTube requires VP9 Profile2, which is a compression format and a free alternative to the HEVC format. VP9 Profile 2 requires upgraded hardware so that is why only 2016 products appear to support YouTube in HDR. TV products with VP9 Profile1 were first launched in late 2014.
So unless anything has changed in the meantime, Google is using the HDR10 format compressed in VP9 (Profile2). "
YouTube will start supporting HDR quality in 2016, too, and to enjoy it your TV needs to support VP9-Profile2. Sony says that its 2016 TVs do indeed support that. "
This article was published 26 Feb 2016 - So a 'normal' person would assume ALL 2016 models.
YouTube will also start streaming in HDR quality later this year, using a new VP9-Profile 2 codec that brings HDR support to Google’s VP9 video format. Sony’s Motoi Kawamura, Head of TV Product Planning for Sony Europe, confirmed to FlatpanelsHD that the 2016 models will support VP9-Profile 2 and be capable of streaming YouTube in HDR. We saw a demo at CES and it looked very good.
I can’t confirm VP9-profile 2 working with latest firmware. Also the HDR content on YouTube is played as SDR only on the Sony. The 'HDR Video' profile seems to be enabled for any 4K content, also conventional 8-bit SDR, adding an ugly artificial effect.
I really hope that Sony/MediaTek can pull support out of the old MT5890. It would not be acceptable to me that the affordable high-end March 2016 models from the spring line-up, which can actually reproduce HDR thanks to local dimming (XD93/XD94), can’t play YouTube HDR content (and probably lots of future HDR stuff too), but the entry-level models from July 2016 (XD70/XD75, XD80/XD83) with the updated MT5891 can. Consider that all are models from 2016 and there are only 3-4 months between the spring and the summer releases. So after 3-4 months on the market, the March 2016 models would already be rendered out of date. That would be pretty bad mismanagement and misinformation on Sony’s behalf.
The funny thing is, I read your post and still didnt see the Sony confirming part....
I have to agree with you, if the early 2016 models are not capable of VP9p2, then a massive screw-up would entail, and loads of unhappy customers too....
I am sure it takes another half a year until software support is added. Only then will we know, whether this is only available on models after July 2016 (XD80, XD83, XD75, ZD9), or also on the March 2016 models (XD85, XD93, XD94) with last year's processor. Google/YouTube seems to have other partners in order to show off their HDR content and it is not even in their own Android TV camp which is a statement already...
Tried this on my 55-X8509C last night, HDR doesn't switch automatically but selecting HDR picture mode really makes the colours pop, big time, more than normal videos, so I'm guessing HDR is working on these videos. Will the YouTube app be getting an update to allow for auto HDR switching ?
Also has anyone else had a problem with the YouTube app being really slow at streaming ? I have 76 Mbps internet, so more than fast enough and my PC has no problems streaming 4k videos on YouTube but the TV is constantly buffereing with 4k and sometimes 1440p videos too.
Funny thing is, the TV has no problem with 4k Netflix, so I'm thinking its a YouTube app issue. Anyone else had this ?
Please read all posts in this topic! That's just fake HDR applied to conventional 4K SDR VP9. Totally oversaturated with pumped up contrast. No dynamic range enhancement at all. If you like that effect, you probably don't need any HDR at all...
Again... The Sonys currently don't play the VP9.2 HDR stream but only the VP9 SDR one. Via picture mode, it is only possible to apply a ridiculous fake HDR effect to 4K content.
Wasn't really if it was working or not tbh with it not switching automatically, like other content does but the colours did look stunning. I agree, they were very oversaturated though. As my TV is calibrated for REC 709 colours, I thought I would need to make adjustments when using BT2020 anyway. I guess the stunning 4k picture quality with the really vibrant colours fooled me for a moment.
Don't suppose you have any info / help on the YouTube app's crappy 4k streaming ?
Seems like non of the number 1 supporters is getting any feedback from Sony on this matter. Not even on the U.S. forums are they making any statements. Bad omen...
I assume that Sony will artificially restrict VP9.2 decoding to ZD9. Wouldn't it look stupid if they put it on the entry-level models like XD75/XD80 but not on the high-end models like XD93/XD94?
