S10+ Won't recognize HDR video files while playing them - Samsung Galaxy S10+ Questions & Answers

Hey!
I recently downloaded a few mkv HDR files to the phone, but when playing the files, it didn't activate the HDR feature (washed out colors and bad contrasts) in VLC or the native Samsung video app. How come and how can I watch HDR content? (It does work on YouTube HDR videos...)
Thanks!

How do you know if the HDR is activated or not?

Well, when it's HDR content on YouTube, I can't control brightness and it automatically goes to maximum and you can see the change in the dynamic range. Also, HDR files when not played on HDR screens look washed out with muted bright spots and bright shadows.
If I can or can't control the brightness I think is the main teller.

You probably can't activate HDR. It sounds like a DRM issue. Samsung coded HDR to work with legal content from YouTube and Netflix but not for files downloaded from unnoficial sources.

So I also tried it with Netflix (I have a premium membership so I should get HDR content) and I have the same problem. I even tried downloading an episode in high quality to make sure it's not a wifi issue, but it didn't help. Any ideas? Thanks!

Wagnerian said:
So I also tried it with Netflix (I have a premium membership so I should get HDR content) and I have the same problem. I even tried downloading an episode in high quality to make sure it's not a wifi issue, but it didn't help. Any ideas? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might want to look on the Netflix site. It's possible Netflix doesn't support HDR on the S10+. I haven't had a Netflix subscription recently. Does your subscription provide HDR content on other devices?
You might also see if there are any settings in the Netflix app that limit the amount of data used or the resolution of content. You might not be streaming content in 4K from Netflix on your S10+ and HDR only applies to 4K content.

Related

camera settings

How can I get to camera settings? i took video and uploaded it to Youtube and saw that the highest resolution was 420p. This phone advertises 720p quality. I cannot find how to set it to 720p. Has this happened to anyone else?
When you are in the camcorder, the last setting on the right side of the capture screen, change that to HD(30m).
Thank you, I have no idea how I did not see that!
could it be the app converted it if you actually used the hd 30m

HDR Videos

I have combed around but possibly in wrong areas of the vast internet to try to find a solution or answer, so here I am lol.
My question is if anyone knows of a way or how to get our awesome recorded videos on our 7.0 + V20's
to trigger HDR on our Tvs (if compatible).
The videos supposably are recording in HDR as it shows for a few when after rec start.
I for the life of me cant figure out the file or lib to be able to use. Libs I am kinda blind on coding anyway.
If there is a certain container needed I wonder what?
We have h264 and Hevc but it dont matter it seems.
I guess my main question is if this is even possible with a mobile recorded phone to trigger hdr on the tv?
I am on LS997-7.O
Thank you for taking time to read my wondering.

[SM-G9750] [SOFTWARE BUG] Video playback being throttled or not utilizing CPU / GPU?

For owners of the SM-G9750 (S10+ CN / HK model), I'm trying to get some verification here on a possible software issue. I'm trying to play a 4K video file locally (specifically a 4K HDR H.265 / HEVC MKV @ 24fps video, but I believe this bug may apply to all UHD video playback - I'm not sure as I haven't done enough testing) and it seems to be dropping frames and stuttering throughout. I cannot get it to play smoothly despite trying all of the following:
Setting the phone to Performance mode.
Trying different players - in this case, the default video player, MX Player Pro and VLC.
Moving the video player app to Game Launcher and optimizing them for performance.
Forced 2D GPU Rendering in Developer Options.
Changing display resolution from WQHD to FHD.
Moving the video file from SD card to internal storage.
Disabling / uninstalling all apps which use Accessibility Services.
Clearing cache.
Factory reset.
None of these worked. ---UNTIL--- I tried using the screen recorder, from the Game Launcher settings, whilst watching the video. Playback was then perfect! No dropped frames, completely smooth, like it should be. The other alternative was to use software decoding but then colours would appear muted and battery life takes a huge hit.
So what's the deal here? Is the CPU or GPU not kicking in / being throttled whenever I launch a video player app? I'm assuming this is the case as the screen recorder seems to boost playback performance once I activate it. I'm on the June update and I'm not sure if this bug was introduced recently (I never tested 4K playback until now).
Owners of this particular model, could you please confirm if you are having this issue? Try watching a 4K video with lots of action and camera panning movements - that's where you can detect dropped frames or stuttering easily. I could provide the file I'm using for reference but it's a clip from a movie and I'm not sure if I'm allowed to share it here.
Okay since no one has replied and moderators on the Samsung forums are busy removing my posts - try this clip for example, it's 4K HDR encoded in H.265 / HEVC, I don't know if that makes a difference:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/m83ftn7n8d8le2s/Plane_Crash_Scene.mp4/file
Stutters in the default video player app for me. One thing to note is that it's smooth in portrait mode, but the moment you rotate into landscape fullscreen, it starts dropping frames. Now, turn on the screen recorder from within game tools and the stutters are mostly eliminated. What gives?
Another way to compare would be with a video player that lets you switch between hardware and software decoding, like MX Player. Watch the clip in HW mode and then switch to SW - it's choppier in HW mode for whatever reason. Using SW is not an option as the colours are not displayed properly and battery drain is much higher.
Regarding the clip - if it's against the rules to post such content, let me know and I'll remove it. There's a whole YouTube channel full of this stuff, I don't want to link to those as the problem I'm encountering is related to local video playback.
One last try before I sign off Here's another example if anyone has YouTube Vanced (google vanced.app for those unaware). I'm suggesting Vanced because the original YouTube app doesn't let you view at 4K resolution.
Firstly, open Vanced and tap the account icon in the upper right. Go to settings, Vanced settings, Video settings and then toggle Resolution Checks to ON. Refresh and restart the app.
Now open Game Launcher, tap the three dots in the upper right > Add apps and add YouTube Vanced to the list. We're doing this for the screen recording function which I'll mention later.
Once that's done, here's a 4K 60fps clip for you to try. It should be easier to perceive any hiccups with the higher frame rate. And of course, please set the resolution to 2160p (tap the three dots in the upper right) and watch in landscape orientation, since this is what the test is all about:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXb3EKWsInQ
Panning shots work best. For reference, see the one of the step trail at 2:42 in the video. Does it look like it's stuttering or dropping frames intermittently?
Now, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to show the navigation bar (you need the navigation bar enabled to use the recording function) and tap on Game Tools, which is the leftmost button. Tap Record.
While the screen is recording, are the stutters now gone? To my eyes, the video is definitely smoother while the recorder is active. Appreciate any feedback from those willing to try (and confirm if I'm insane or not!) - cheers!

H.265 option in the camera app.

Today I noticed I am unable to edit videos in the photos app and I have traced the issue down to the video coding. With the H.265 option when I try to trim a video I get an error message saying "unable to save changes". A file is created with a .mp4.tmp extension that is not playable. When I switch back to H.264 the resulting videos trim fine.
Can anyone else confirm they have the same issue? I'm surprised Google have this option in their camera app for it to be unsupported in their photos app.
steslatt said:
Today I noticed I am unable to edit videos in the photos app and I have traced the issue down to the video coding. With the H.265 option when I try to trim a video I get an error message saying "unable to save changes". A file is created with a .mp4.tmp extension that is not playable. When I switch back to H.264 the resulting videos trim fine.
Can anyone else confirm they have the same issue? I'm surprised Google have this option in their camera app for it to be unsupported in their photos app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just speculating here, but H.265/HEVC is really not meant to be edited. It's highly compressed and hardware intensive for editing programs to de-encode so you can edit then re-encode. You're better off shooting videos that you know you're going to edit later on in H.264/AVC. I learned this the hard way after recording some footage in HEVC and both Sony Vegas (Sony Vegas straight up didn't support it) and DaVinci Resolve had a very hard time with it despite the hardware in my computer.
Probably not the answer you want to hear but you're asking a lot of your phone's hardware to edit HEVC encoded media. Record in AVC, edit, re-encode in HEVC.
Alcolawl said:
Just speculating here, but H.265/HEVC is really not meant to be edited. It's highly compressed and hardware intensive for editing programs to de-encode so you can edit then re-encode. You're better off shooting videos that you know you're going to edit later on in H.264/AVC. I learned this the hard way after recording some footage in HEVC and both Sony Vegas (Sony Vegas straight up didn't support it) and DaVinci Resolve had a very hard time with it despite the hardware in my computer.
Probably not the answer you want to hear but you're asking a lot of your phone's hardware to edit HEVC encoded media. Record in AVC, edit, re-encode in HEVC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to disagree here because I'm able to trim H.265 videos using other apps without issue. I would have just preferred to do it all in one app rather than have multiple apps installed with annoying pop up ads etc...
I've had this issue on Pixel 3 XL also, took a clip and tried to trim using Google Photos app and always got unable to save.
This is pretty stupid if you can't trim when on H.265

HDR support

Hi. It is possible by Magisk or Kernel to activate HDR support. I think the processor and the display can run it.
Thanks
I don't know if the full HDR support can be forcibly activated on Tab S5e, but some things can be done even on stock firmware:
A hidden setting, called Video Enhancer, can be turned on (by QuickShortcutMaker or similar app). It's of great importance to play HDR video online or offline.
The native Samsung Video Player works just fine with downloaded HDR video content (see a HDR label on the video thumbnail/title) as well as MX Player, VLC player, etc.
YouTube Vanced Mod (both for Rooted & Non-Rooted devices) has no problem to play HDR video content in YouTube. (How To: download and install both MicroG & Vanced Apps, give MicroG all Permissions needed, start Yotube Vanced and go to Vanced Settings, tap several times on About to unhide Codec Override menu, and tap on Galaxy S8+ to enable hardware HDR support)
Well, playing HDR video on Tab S5e is just amazing!
I already have YouTube Vanced, but where do you find the Video Enhancer toggle on the tablet? I've looked all through the settings and can't find it (it's definitely not under the Advanced Settings tab).
Geese1 said:
where do you find the Video Enhancer toggle on the tablet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I said above that the Video Enhancer option is hidden on Tab S5e by Samsung. We have to unhide it by apps capable to read Android activities, e.g. QuickShortcutMaker...
Just click on the QuickShortcutMaker hyperlink in my post above or here:
https://www.guidingtech.com/69325/samsung-galaxy-s8-video-enhancer/
and you can see how to start this option... (btw, QuickShortcutMaker is an old gold app and already can not create shortcuts on the latest Android versions, but you can launch Video Enhancer option tapping on Try)
legi0neer said:
i don't know if the full hdr support can be forcibly activated on tab s5e, but some things can be done even on stock firmware:
A hidden setting, called video enhancer, can be turned on (by quickshortcutmaker or similar app). It's of great importance to play hdr video online or offline.
The native samsung video player works just fine with downloaded hdr video content (see a hdr label on the video thumbnail/title) as well as mx player, vlc player, etc.
youtube vanced mod (both for rooted & non-rooted devices) has no problem to play hdr video content in youtube. (how to: Download and install both microg & vanced apps, give microg all permissions needed, start yotube vanced and go to vanced settings, tap several times on about to unhide codec override menu, and tap on galaxy s8+ to enable hardware hdr support)
well, playing hdr video on tab s5e is just amazing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for help you are a lifesavesr!
LeGi0NeeR said:
I said above that the Video Enhancer option is hidden on Tab S5e by Samsung. We have to unhide it by apps capable to read Android activities, e.g. QuickShortcutMaker...
Just click on the QuickShortcutMaker hyperlink in my post above or here:
https://www.guidingtech.com/69325/samsung-galaxy-s8-video-enhancer/
and you can see how to start this option... (btw, QuickShortcutMaker is an old gold app and already can not create shortcuts on the latest Android versions, but you can launch Video Enhancer option tapping on Try)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, went ahead and downloaded the app and turned on the Video Enhancer feature.
By the way, something I noticed in YouTube Vanced is that I can have 4k resolution, or HDR, but not both. Looks like HDR tops out at 1080p, but if I use the VP9 code I can go up to 2160p. Is this correct, or is there a workaround for this as well?
Yes, all 4 codecs in Vanced Override Menu support max resolution of 4K (2160p) 60FPS. 2 of them support (hardware/software) HDR video playing - up to FHD (1080p) 60FPS HDR. It seems that 1080p60 HDR is a Google limitation for mobile devices.
The good news is that Tab S5e handles YouTube streaming video perfectly in all resolutions, FPS and codecs, and the picture quality is just amazing!
Thanks for the info.
But when I am running LineageOS I do not have Samsung Video Enhancer.
On Youtube Vanced active the HDR but the colors are washed.
If the Samsung Video Enhancer option is not implemented in custom ROMs, you may try Video Enhancer app from Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.snowlife01.android.free_videoenhancer
Doesn't the SGTS5e support HDR right out the box?
Aht stock rom are you using
Video enhancer does not work
Hdr
LeGi0NeeR said:
I don't know if the full HDR support can be forcibly activated on Tab S5e, but some things can be done even on stock firmware:
A hidden setting, called Video Enhancer, can be turned on (by QuickShortcutMaker or similar app). It's of great importance to play HDR video online or offline.
The native Samsung Video Player works just fine with downloaded HDR video content (see a HDR label on the video thumbnail/title) as well as MX Player, VLC player, etc.
YouTube Vanced Mod (both for Rooted & Non-Rooted devices) has no problem to play HDR video content in YouTube. (How To: download and install both MicroG & Vanced Apps, give MicroG all Permissions needed, start Yotube Vanced and go to Vanced Settings, tap several times on About to unhide Codec Override menu, and tap on Galaxy S8+ to enable hardware HDR support)
Well, playing HDR video on Tab S5e is just amazing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Vanced mod hdr working
Very pleased
Thank you
Video enhancer has no effect for me
I'm using stock running vanced 1440 resolution is maximum it allows me and that's fine I guess, but annoying it always defaults as 720.
Some notes from my recent observations on the HDR video playback in Tab S5e (Stock Firmware):
1. Tab S5e has a good hardware (SOC - SD670; GPU - Adreno 615; Super AMOLED Display) capable to play HDR video without problems. Playing the 1080p 60FPS HDR or 2160p 60FPS streaming videos by Modded YouTube Vanced just proves that.
2. But, there is a real problem for local HDR video playback with hardware support - the colors are slightly pale and washed as regards the same video played by YouTube Vanced or in other premium SAMSUNG devices. No matter which video player is used, no matter if Video Enhancer is on or off, the colors are washed... I tested almost all known video players for Android and all they show washed colors because all they rely on the native hardware support in the related devices.
- So, it seems that SAMSUNG has stripped the hardware support of 10-bit pipelines in the Tab S5e video codecs. Obviously, this is intentionally done by SAMSUNG (to sell much more expensive Tab S6?!) and can be easily corrected with a software update... But, at the moment, we can not play locally hardware accelerated video with rich HDR colors!
3. But, we have a little surprise: the SAMSUNG's competitive HDR format - Dolby Vision, plays on Tab S5e just fine in all glorious colors and hardware support even by the native SAMSUNG video player!
4. I tested on Tab S5e several dozens of 4K HDR & Dolby Vision videos/movies flying in the Net... The only video player that played all of them in their native resolution without lags, freezing, black screen, audio only, etc. (i.e. with good hardware acceleration), was nPlayer! All others couldn't handle with various video formats/codecs and especially with most of the Dolby Vision videos. nPlayer is amazing but... the colors of HDR videos on Tab S5e are still washed...
5. So, how to play offline HDR videos on Tab S5e with native rich colors?
It seems that only VLC player for Android can do that at the moment with the following limitations:
- Video Quality: up to 1080p 60FPS HDR (yes, the same limitations as in YouTube for mobile devices!)
- Hardware Acceleration: Disabled (i.e. without hardware GPU acceleration giving washed colors on Tab S5e)
- Recommended: Force video chroma - RGB 16-bit; Deblocking Filter Settings - No Deblocking; Frame Skip - Checked; Optimize Battery Usage for VLC - Not Optimized
(VLC can play videos with upper resolutions, e.g. 1440p 60 FPS HDR and up, but don't cry if video lags...)
6. Most of the videos/movies in the Net are 4k 60FPS HDR, so we have to downscale them to 1080p 60FPS HDR to watch normal rich colors on Tab S5e.
I personally use VidCoder to downscale the originals to 1080p 60FPS HDR. A good preset, for example, is [Vimeo YouTube HQ 1080p60] with video codec - H.265 10-bit (x265). It's important to use 10-bit codecs otherwise, the video output will not be of HDR quality! You will be really surprised to see the file size difference between the input and output video...
See the difference between the colors of one and the same hardware accelerated (washed) and software decoded (rich) HDR video by VLC on the attached shots below:
Software hdr better than no hdr
Thankyou for showing us vlc hdr on s5e
LeGi0NeeR said:
Some notes from my recent observations on the HDR video playback in Tab S5e (Stock Firmware):
See the difference between the colors of one and the same hardware accelerated (washed) and software decoded (rich) HDR video by VLC on the attached shots below:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only difference I see is in the color saturation, which has nothing what so ever to do with resolution.
edit: And in reality, the first picture is MUCH more natural. The only time you'd see the vivid colors of the second picture, on a woman's face, would be if she worked on the streets.
lewmur said:
The only difference I see is in the color saturation, which has nothing what so ever to do with resolution.
edit: And in reality, the first picture is MUCH more natural...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, SAMSUNG know very well that many customers always like whatever they are offered, no matter what was stripped or disabled without any reason at all...
But I don't want SAMSUNG (or you!) to tell me which color saturation is better or worse for me. I just want to watch the movies/videos in the color palette, brightness & resolution in which their creators made them! That's all! So, a multimedia tablet (as Tab S5e was advertised) without HDR hardware support (intentionally disabled by the manufacturer) is a full nonsense in 2020!
BTW, not only HDR video playback was stripped in Tab S5e, but also 10-bit HDR video capture by the back camera...
LeGi0NeeR said:
Yes, SAMSUNG know very well that many customers always like whatever they are offered, no matter what was stripped or disabled without any reason at all...
But I don't want SAMSUNG (or you!) to tell me which color saturation is better or worse for me. I just want to watch the movies/videos in the color palette, brightness & resolution in which their creators made them! That's all! So, a multimedia tablet (as Tab S5e was advertised) without HDR hardware support (intentionally disabled by the manufacturer) is a full nonsense in 2020!
BTW, not only HDR video playback was stripped in Tab S5e, but also 10-bit HDR video capture by the back camera...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't give a hardy what you like or dislike. I just pointed out the the pictures you use to make a point about lack of hi def resolution had nothing to do with the resolution.
lewmur said:
I just pointed out the the pictures you use to make a point about lack of hi def resolution had nothing to do with the resolution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What resolution? It's one and the same resolution on both pictures. The problem is in the color saturation... OMG, do you really think that HDR = "hi def resolution"? No words...
Enabled video enhancer but on vanced I have VP9 in override codecs section! HDR option still not visible on vanced youtube!

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