SkyQ’s roll-out of colour-enhancing HDR could be delayed by more than a YEAR due to ‘other priorities’, reports claim
- Original timeline stated HDR support would be complete before the end of 2019
- The company has now missed this timeline first outlined in February 2018
- An unofficial comment from a Sky employee reveals the firm is focusing on ‘other priorities’
Sky’s plan to launch HDR support for its ‘Q’ box has fallen flat on its face by missing the target of 2019 – and could be delayed by at least a further 12 months.
The much anticipated upgrade will bring Sky customers up to speed with many other video streaming providers.
Netflix, Amazon Prime and even the BBC already offer viewers the ability to watch content in HDR.
A post on a Sky forum by Community Manager Kei+M said Sky is focusing on other priorities and HDR has fallen by the wayside as a result.
They added that although the end of 2020 is now the tentative timeline, it is possible this spills over into 2021.
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Sky’s plan to launch HDR support for its Q box have fallen flat on their face by missing the target of 2019 – and could be delayed by a further 12 months
Community Manager Kei+M posted: ‘I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s unlikely that the UK will be seeing HDR until late next year at the earliest. We’ve pushed it back whilst we work on other priorities.’
The comments have yet to be backed up by Sky via official channels.
Sky does offer 4K ultra high-definition viewing, but HDR offers a different dynamic to viewers.
HDR provides more contrast on screen, with whites and blacks appearing further apart than in non-HDR formats.
This contrast is more perceptible to the human eye than 4K is, in most circumstances.
4K offers more pixels in a set area, increasing detail and enhancing the visual message, but HDR is seen as more valuable for its advantages in contrast.
MailOnline has approached SkyQ for a comment.
WHAT IS HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGING (HDR)?
High dynamic range, or HDR, increases the difference between black and white areas of a screen, beyond the contrast range of conventional television.
The screen’s dark areas are automatically darker, and the light bits lighter, enhancing the detail visible.
This means it also offers a wider range of colours than standard Ultra High Definition screens.
The kind of difference this will make to your viewing experience is that water will glisten more realistically and sunlight will shine more brightly.
Details in the shadows or shot at night will also be preserved more effectively, for example embers flickering on a burning log campfire.
However, televisions that support the standard tend to be more expensive.
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