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Disney+ users in many European countries have noticed further restrictions to picture quality. The streaming service has removed support for 4K resolution and the HDR10 standard, coming just weeks after disabling Dolby Vision and 3D. The company confirmed the changes are temporary and related to a recent court ruling concerning technology used by the platform. For now, it's unclear when full picture quality will be restored.
Disney+ cites court ruling and tech issues to explain decision
Disney+ has confirmed that removing support for 4K UHD and HDR10 is the result of a recent court ruling related to the technology used to deliver high-quality video. The information was given by The Walt Disney Company Nordic & Baltic, which noted the company is aware of users' dissatisfaction. Platform representatives stressed they are working intensively to restore all features as soon as possible. They did not disclose details of the ruling or the technology involved. It is only known that the earlier restrictions from mid-June were the result of a decision by the Unified Patent Court in Europe in a patent dispute with US firm InterDigital. Initially users lost Dolby Vision and support for 3D content, but could still watch films and series in 4K with HDR10. The latest change has turned those features off as well. Reports of the problem appeared across many European countries at the same time, with users starting to report loss of the highest-quality playback. Disney says the situation is temporary but has not provided any specific timeline for a fix.
Premium subscribers are paying for features they currently cannot use
The biggest controversy is that the restrictions affect primarily users of the most expensive Premium plan. That subscription is advertised as offering the highest picture quality, including 4K resolution and HDR technologies. However, some of those features are currently unavailable, even though the subscription price remains unchanged. Disney has not said whether it plans to offer customers any compensation for the temporary reduction in the platform's capabilities. It is also unclear how long the current situation will last. For many users this means watching films and series at a lower quality than their paid plan provides. The issue affects only some European markets and is another phase of the changes that began back in June. The lack of official information on when 4K and HDR10 will be restored leaves subscribers uncertain. If the situation persists, it could raise further questions about the value of Disney+'s most expensive subscription. For now the company has limited itself to saying it is working on a fix.
Disney+ has again reduced picture quality for some European users by removing support for 4K and HDR10. The platform cites a court ruling as the reason and says it is working to restore all features, but does not give a specific timeline or any information about possible compensation for Premium subscribers.
source: flatpanelshd
