TikTok Introduces New Playback Settings
Disable HDR videos and display object tags for enhanced viewing control
Key Takeaway
TikTok's new playback settings give users greater control over their viewing experience. The "Disable HDR videos" option helps users on older devices or those who prefer standard video quality, while "Display object tags" provides additional context about video content through AI-powered object recognition.
What's New in Playback Settings?
TikTok has added two significant options to the Playback section of settings, addressing user feedback about video quality and content discovery.
Disable HDR Videos
This setting allows users to turn off High Dynamic Range (HDR) video playback, which can be beneficial for several reasons:
- Device Compatibility: Older phones may struggle with HDR processing
- Battery Conservation: HDR playback can drain battery faster
- Consistent Viewing: Some users prefer standard dynamic range for consistent colors
- Data Usage: HDR videos may use slightly more data
Display Object Tags
When enabled, TikTok's AI will identify and display tags for objects, people, and elements within videos:
- Enhanced Discovery: Understand what's in a video at a glance
- Shopping Integration: Identify products shown in videos
- Accessibility: Provides additional context for all users
- Content Filtering: Better control over content you see
How These Settings Affect Creators
For HDR Content Creators
If you create content in HDR format, be aware that some viewers may disable HDR playback:
- Ensure your content looks good in both HDR and SDR modes
- Don't rely solely on HDR effects for important visual information
- Test your videos with HDR disabled to see how they appear
Object Tags & Discovery
Object tags can help your content get discovered:
- Products featured in videos become more discoverable
- Viewers using object tags can find your content through visual search
- TikTok Shop items may automatically link when tagged
- Tags provide additional metadata for the algorithm
How to Access These Settings
- 1
Open TikTok Settings
Tap your profile icon, then the menu button (three lines) in the top right
- 2
Navigate to Settings and Privacy
Select "Settings and privacy" from the menu
- 3
Find Playback Settings
Scroll to "Content & Activity" section and tap "Playback"
- 4
Toggle Your Preferences
Enable or disable "Disable HDR videos" and "Display object tags" as desired
Recommended Settings for Different Use Cases
For Shoppers
Enable object tags to easily identify products in videos and discover shopping opportunities
For Battery Life
Disable HDR videos to reduce battery consumption during extended viewing sessions
For Older Devices
Disable HDR videos to improve performance and reduce processing load
For Creators
Enable object tags to understand how TikTok's AI interprets your content
Optimize Your TikTok Experience
Learn more about maximizing your TikTok presence:
Understanding HDR Video Technology
What is HDR and Why Does It Matter?
High Dynamic Range (HDR) video technology provides enhanced color depth, brightness range, and visual detail compared to standard video:
HDR Benefits:
- • Wider Color Range: More vibrant, accurate colors
- • Better Contrast: Deeper blacks, brighter highlights
- • Enhanced Detail: More visible detail in shadows and highlights
- • Realistic Visuals: Closer to what the eye sees naturally
HDR Drawbacks:
- • Device Requirements: Needs HDR-capable display
- • Battery Drain: More processing power required
- • Compatibility Issues: May look wrong on non-HDR screens
- • File Size: Slightly larger video files
When to Disable HDR
Older Device Users
If your phone is 3+ years old and struggles with video playback, disabling HDR can improve performance and reduce lag.
Battery Conservation
Extended TikTok sessions drain battery faster with HDR. Disable it when you need your battery to last longer.
Consistent Color Experience
Some users prefer the consistent look of SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) across all videos.
Object Tags: AI-Powered Content Recognition
How Object Tags Work
TikTok's AI analyzes video content in real-time to identify and label objects, products, people, and scenes:
What Gets Tagged
- • Products: Clothing, electronics, beauty items, accessories
- • Locations: Restaurants, landmarks, venues
- • Activities: Cooking, exercising, dancing, gaming
- • Animals: Pets, wildlife, specific breeds
- • Food: Dishes, ingredients, cuisines
Benefits for Users
- • Quickly identify products without reading captions
- • Discover similar content through tag-based search
- • Better understanding of video context
- • Enhanced accessibility for all users
- • Easier product discovery for shopping
Creator Implications of Object Tags
Opportunities:
- • Product Discovery: Items in your videos become searchable
- • TikTok Shop Integration: Tagged products may auto-link to Shop
- • Niche Targeting: Algorithm better understands your content category
- • Cross-Content Discovery: Users find you through object searches
Considerations:
- • Brand Visibility: Competitors' products might get tagged
- • Privacy: Personal items in background may be identified
- • Accuracy: AI may misidentify objects occasionally
- • Control: Limited ability to edit or remove tags
Technical Details and Device Requirements
HDR Playback Requirements
Compatible Devices
iOS Devices:
- • iPhone 12 and newer (HDR10)
- • iPhone X, XS, 11 (Dolby Vision)
- • iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd gen+)
- • iPad Pro 11" (all models)
Android Devices:
- • Samsung Galaxy S10 and newer
- • Google Pixel 4 and newer
- • OnePlus 8 and newer
- • Most flagships from 2019+
Performance Impact
- • Battery Usage: HDR uses 10-15% more battery than SDR
- • Processing Power: Requires more GPU resources
- • Heat Generation: Device may warm up during extended viewing
- • Data Usage: Minimal difference (2-5% more data)
Object Tag Technology
AI Recognition Capabilities
TikTok's object recognition system can identify:
- • 10,000+ Product Types: From specific phone models to clothing brands
- • Scene Context: Indoor/outdoor, time of day, setting type
- • Activities: Sports, cooking, crafts, and more
- • Text in Videos: Signs, labels, on-screen text
- • Brands and Logos: Visible brand identifiers
Privacy Protections
- • Users can disable object tags at any time
- • Facial recognition is separate and opt-in only
- • Tags are generated on-device when possible
- • No personal information is associated with tags
Best Practices for Creators
Optimizing Content for Both HDR and SDR
Filming Best Practices
- • Use good lighting to ensure content looks good in both modes
- • Avoid extreme contrast scenarios (very bright + very dark)
- • Test your videos with HDR disabled to check appearance
- • Don't rely solely on HDR effects for important visual information
- • Ensure text overlays are readable in both modes
Editing Considerations
- • Export videos in both HDR and SDR to compare
- • Use color grading that works across display types
- • Avoid over-saturated colors that may look garish in SDR
- • Test on multiple devices before posting
Leveraging Object Tags for Discovery
Strategic Product Placement
- • Feature products prominently so AI can identify them
- • Show product labels and branding clearly
- • Use good lighting on products for accurate recognition
- • Hold products still for 2-3 seconds to aid AI detection
Content Optimization for Tags
- • Include popular, recognizable items in your content
- • Create content around trending products
- • Use object tags as additional discovery channel
- • Monitor which tagged items drive most engagement
Future Implications and Developments
Expected Feature Enhancements
These playback settings are likely just the beginning. Based on TikTok's development patterns, expect:
Short-term (3-6 months):
- • More granular video quality controls
- • Custom playback speed options
- • Enhanced object tag filtering
- • Shopping integration with tagged objects
- • Tag-based content recommendations
Long-term (6-12 months):
- • Visual search using object tags
- • Automatic product linking for tagged items
- • Creator-controlled tag editing
- • Advanced playback customization
- • Integration with AR shopping features
Impact on TikTok Shop
Enhanced Product Discovery
Object tags make it easier for viewers to find and purchase products they see in videos, potentially increasing TikTok Shop conversion rates.
Automatic Affiliate Opportunities
Future updates may automatically suggest affiliate products based on tagged objects in your videos.
Visual Commerce Evolution
Object tags represent TikTok's move toward seamless visual commerce where anything you see can be instantly purchased.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling HDR affect video quality?
Disabling HDR will show videos in Standard Dynamic Range (SDR), which is how most content has always appeared. You won't lose resolution or clarity, just the enhanced color and contrast range that HDR provides.
Can creators control which objects get tagged?
Currently, object tagging is automatic and creators cannot manually edit or remove tags. However, you can control what appears in your videos during filming and editing.
Do object tags affect video performance?
Object tags may actually improve performance by helping the algorithm better understand and categorize your content, leading to more accurate distribution to interested audiences.
Official Sources & Further Reading
- SocialBee: TikTok Updates November 2025 →
TikTok Help Center: Official documentation on playback settings and how to use them.
TikTok Creator Portal: Best practices for creating content that works across different viewing settings.