But what about BBC IPLAYER which is what this thread is all about.
Whilst I do agree that the thread is about the iPlayer app that is available via the TV's own apps, its also good to know to what extent HLG is supported. We all want Samsung to ensure it keeps the 'local' (as in those available directly through the TV) apps as up to date as possible and, in particular the iPlayer app as we know that the BBC has a 4k HLG update for iPlayer.
What we also want to know though is to what extent Samsung has enabled HLG on these TV's. If we 'have' no choice but to buy an external device with iPlayer or other HLG content, we want to know whether it will work as expected or not. In my testing, I have had no issue with playing HLG demo's - whether they are HEVC or VP9 via USB. I checked again today with the 'LG Jazz HLG demo' HEVC and that worked exactly as expected - the TV switched to HDR mode and played the content in HDR. We know youtube works via the TV app and its great to know that it works via HDMI too. All we need now is confirmation that an external HLG enabled device with HLG iPlayer works via HDMI.
Its not 'ideal' as we all would want the built in apps to be updated so we are not forced into buying external devices to get access to HLG content. However, if we are given no choice but to either replace our TV, go without or buy an external device, I would prefer to buy an external device for now. To reiterate, I would prefer Samsung to keep the KS apps up to date but I also want to know if I want or have to buy HLG enabled devices, that they also work properly. If I know HLG works over HDMI for example, I am more hopeful that if SkyQ enables HLG it will work as expected rather than have to move my timetable to replace the KS as my main TV forward. I dont want to buy a HLG enabled device, plug it in and find out it doesn't work - whether that's via USB or HDMI.
Ulimately, I hope Samsung do the right thing and support their TV's - especially their 'Premium' range for more than a year. However, I also want to know that if I do decide to buy an external HLG device or SkyQ gets HLG support, that these will also work. The extent of the HLG support is still important information. Like I said, if Samsung don't deliver the support we want and expect, certainly where the local apps are concerned, those of us who haven't pursued replacements or are left with 2016 TV's want to know if we can use alternative devices to gain access to HLG content and to what extent Samsung has enabled HLG on these TV's.
As far as I can tell VP9 and HEVC HLG works via USB. VP9 obviously works via both streaming and HDMI (youtube) but as yet we don't know if we could get iPlayer via an allternative device. If I know I can buy an external device to get iPlayer in HLG, whilst not ideal, its still better than nothing. My main viewing is via SkyQ currently and it will still be useful to know that if Sky or other STB adds HLG, that the KS is capable of displaying it.
By assessing if HLG works via HDMI, USB etc, regardless of whether its HEVC or VP9 and especially via an external iPlayer app, then we also know that Samsungs 'excuse' regarding the local iPlayer App is BS and that the issue lies exclusively with Samsung and the App itself - whether that's because it is incompatible with the version of Tizen, whether its 'financial' (ie Samsung refusing to pay), a disagreement between Samsung and the BBC or whatever reason, its not because the TV itself can't play HLG but that the app is not being updated.
