Newsletter 
Well avid Amazon Prime Instant Video watchers, the wait for high dynamic range content has come to an end. We covered the anticipated release earlier this year, and now Amazon has confirmed that high dynamic range video streaming is now available to Amazon Prime subscribers at no additional cost. For those of you that do not already know, the high dynamic range effect is an extremely common tool in photography. Basically multiple photographs with exposures ranging from high to low are combined into a single, more accurate image. The result of this technique is often an image offering improved light to dark contrast ratios combined with natural tones the eye is used to seeing.
While this is definitely big news for Amazon Prime Instant Video watchers, it is important to note that high dynamic range will debut only on select Amazon Original Series. Furthermore, the press release states that only users with compatible Samsung SUHD 4K televisions will be able to enjoy high dynamic range content from Amazon Instant Video at this time. Although the online shopping giant’s launch of high dynamic range support won’t transform your video streaming experience across the board overnight, it is certainly a step in the right direction.
To offer high dynamic range support this early in the year is definitely huge for Amazon in terms of beating the competition. Part of the reason this is so important for the online streaming service is because Netflix has yet to launch their comparable version of the technology. In the press release Amazon’s Michael Paull stated, “HDR is a technical innovation that provides a truly stunning viewing experience and we’re thrilled to be the first to offer this unmatched picture quality…” With that being said, the offering of high dynamic range content is on one hand to ultimately provide a better viewing experience for customers, but also for the larger goal of beating its largest competitor. Amazon Instant Video is a great deal for frequent Amazon shoppers because it is included with Amazon Prime which also gives users access to free two day shipping and a selection of kindle books. Netflix is a great deal because for the price they have a formidably larger library of movies and T.V. shows to choose from. We will have to keep our eyes on Netflix for a similar announcement sometime in the near future.