The video service began rolling out “adaptive bitrate streaming” across the platform yesterday, according to Variety, which means that it will now be able to stream videos in resolutions up to 4K Ultra HD. Vimeo is initially making 4K streaming available to just a subset of its basic users, but the service will roll it out to all users early in 2016. The improved resolution will be available on Vimeo.com, its embedded player, and the streamer’s VOD marketplace called Vimeo On Demand.
“Vimeo empowers creators to make, share and sell their best work, and starting today, have that work played back in the highest resolution possible,” said Vimeo’s Andrew Pile in a statement. “We launched 4K upload support for PRO members last year, and now, as we start to see more widespread adoption of 4K-enabled screens in the market, we’re excited to roll out adaptive streaming across Vimeo.”
The IAC-owned video streamer, which launched in 2004, has continued to expand its focus this year. That includes debuting its first full slate of original programming in Bianca Del Rio’s Rolodex of Hate (pictured above), partnering with Samsung for an original film series with the aide of 11 popular Vimeo-featured filmmakers, and even premiering a behind-the-scenes doc of Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour.
Last month, Vimeo updated its video-editing app for iOS called Cameo to support 4K video shot on the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus.
4K Vimeo streaming support will be added to Amazon TV, Roku, and Android in the coming months. The feature won’t be accessible on Apple TV, though, because current-gen Apple TVs don’t support 4K playback.
