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Disney+ users in Europe have to accept another drop in picture quality. The platform removed support for 4K UHD resolution and HDR10 in many European countries. This follows its earlier removal of Dolby Vision and 3D content. The issue also affects subscribers paying for the most expensive Premium subscription. Disney says it is working on a fix but has not yet given a date for restoring the lost features.
Disney+ again reduces image quality for European users
The first restrictions appeared in mid-June, when Dolby Vision support and 3D content disappeared from the platform. Despite that, users could still watch movies and series in 4K using HDR10. Now Disney has removed those technologies as well, meaning a further drop in image quality. Users from various European countries began reporting the issue. The situation was also confirmed by a representative of The Walt Disney Company Nordic & Baltic. The company explained that the decision is related to a recent court ruling concerning the technology used to deliver 4K UHD and HDR content. Disney acknowledges that it understands its customers' dissatisfaction. At the same time it says it is working intensively to restore the service's full functionality. So far, however, it has not disclosed how long it will take to resolve the issues. The restrictions affect many European markets, though the company has not published a full list of countries covered by the changes. This is the second change in a short time affecting image quality on Disney+.
Premium subscribers are paying for features they currently don't receive
Those most affected by the changes are users on the Premium plan. At present this subscription no longer includes 4K UHD or HDR10, even though they are part of its standard offering. Disney hasn't said whether customers will receive any compensation for the temporary reduction in service capabilities. The company also hasn't disclosed details of the court ruling that led to the current situation. It is only known that the earlier removal of Dolby Vision was related to a decision by the Unified Patent Court in Europe. The dispute concerned patents owned by the American technology firm InterDigital. It is unclear whether the current restrictions have the same cause, although Disney points to the same legal issue. The platform says it is working to restore all features as quickly as possible. So far no specific completion date has been given. Until then, European users will be using a service with lower picture quality than their subscription provides. The situation may be particularly disappointing for people who own modern TVs that support 4K and HDR.
Disney+ has again reduced image quality in Europe, removing support for 4K UHD and HDR10. The company attributes the decision to problems arising from a patent court ruling, but it doesn't say when users will regain full functionality or whether Premium subscribers will receive any compensation.
source: flatpanelshd
