After years of waiting, the YouTube app now supports HDR videos on Xbox

Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Retail Boxes
Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Retail Boxes (Image credit: Matt Brown | Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • The YouTube app for Xbox now supports HDR.
  • HDR support is available on the Xbox Series X, Series S, One X, and One S.
  • Other media apps, such as Netflix and Prime Video, have had HDR support for some time.

Many of the best 4K TVs for Xbox Series X and Series S support HDR. With HDR, blacks are darker, brights are brighter, and the contrast between them helps create a popping image. HDR also brings a wider color gamut, helping everything appear punchier. It's a popular feature for both gaming and watching media, though not all videos and games have it.

Microsoft first stated that HDR support for YouTube was "coming soon" in 2017, so it's been quite the wait to see it happen. It's unclear what caused the wait and if it was on Google's end, Microsoft's end, or a combination of both.

HDR support has been around on other media apps for quite some time on the Xbox platform, including Netflix and Prime Video.

If you're on the hunt for a new TV to show off beautiful content in HDR, make sure to check out our roundup of the best cheap TVs with 4K and HDR.

Xbox Series X/S

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Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.