BBC iplayer on Android XE9005 now working with UHD and HLG HDR (sort of)

[stormyuk]

All,

For information there is a Planet Earth UHD HLG test video on the Beta iplayer which appears to work with the Android TVs. (Tested on my XE9005). Its pretty short but looks amazing. It was playing FA cup test loop video which didn't look as good and kept dropping out.

The FA Cup one just fails after about 5 seconds on my TV. Hardwired ethernet. Odd that the Planet Earth loop is fine....

Check it out.

[pb1965]

I contacted somebody in BBC R&D today about my Sony 65XE9005 never having seen so much as a whiff of a UHD HLG stream on iPlayer. He repleid saying 'If you don't have access now to the test loop we have been putting into iPlayer beta then that means your TV currently does not support some aspect of what iPlayer needs to deliver UHD.  I'm afraid only Sony will know the root cause and whether there are plans to provide an update.'

So I'm taking this to mean there is some UHD content available right now in iPlayer beta.

[rgledhill]

Just had a look and there definitely is not any 4k/UHD test video available on iPlayer Beta.  There was previously, it's offline at the moment while they prepare for the limited UHD coverage of the World Cup football in two weeks' time.  There might be the odd trial in the meantime maybe.

[pb1965]

Ok, well perhaps he was mistaken. However, I've also noticed that the version of iPlayer running on my TV is a Youview version with a max resolution of 1280 x 720. So not even close to full HD, yet alone UHD. 

[stormyuk]

You are not mistaken. It appears whatever support the XE9005 did have (and it did work for me when I posted the OP) has evaporated.

It seems if the test streams are not working now (they are reported working on the XF9005 for example) then we are out of luck.

[stormyuk]

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@pb1965 wrote:

I contacted somebody in BBC R&D today about my Sony 65XE9005 never having seen so much as a whiff of a UHD HLG stream on iPlayer. He repleid saying 'If you don't have access now to the test loop we have been putting into iPlayer beta then that means your TV currently does not support some aspect of what iPlayer needs to deliver UHD.  I'm afraid only Sony will know the root cause and whether there are plans to provide an update.'

So I'm taking this to mean there is some UHD content available right now in iPlayer beta.

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Can you ask your BBC source how I was able to view the Planet Earth II clip the other weekend in UHD and HLG on my XE9005....?

[pb1965]

I can't I'm afraid. He said he was unable to comment directly on manufacturers and their products.

[stormyuk]

Totally messed up, I wish the BBC and Sony would sort this ***** out.

[pb1965]

It's just like my Sony AV receiver debacle all over again! That didn't do what it was meant to for long either.

Anyway, can you check which version of iPlayer you have on your TV please?

Go to iplayer >>> settings >>> help etc >>>

[stormyuk]

My version says:

4.6.110.1

Interestingly it says it was updated 31st May. Odd.

[pb1965]

Thanks. What resolution does it say?