Understanding HDR (High Dynamic Range)

HDR, short for High Dynamic Range, refers to a content format that takes advantage of the enhanced brightness and improved color saturation capabilities of modern displays. An HDR TV is capable of decoding and displaying this content. While an ideal HDR TV delivers high brightness, good contrast, and improved color saturation, it is not guaranteed.

To experience HDR visuals, it is necessary to watch HDR-supported content. It is important to note that HDR content itself does not make TVs brighter or more colorful. Instead, HDR content is specifically designed to fully utilize the enhanced brightness and color capabilities already present in modern TVs.

While HDR is often associated with 4K (or 8K) resolution, it is a separate technology. The resolution of a TV, denoted by its pixel count, determines the level of picture definition but does not directly affect metrics like brightness or color. HDR, on the other hand, refers to the brightness, contrast, and color volume that the video content demands.

The concept of mastering plays a role in HDR. Previously, SDR (standard dynamic range) content was mastered for displays with approximately 100 nits of brightness. In contrast, HDR content is mastered for significantly brighter displays, including those capable of reaching 4,000 or even 10,000 nits of brightness (although most TVs have a peak brightness below 2,000 nits).

Additionally, HDR content offers around 30% more color than SDR content as of 2022. Furthermore, HDR expands the range of tonal steps between absolute black and peak white, providing a more nuanced and detailed image. While SDR had 1,024 steps, HDR introduces thousands more steps, with premium HDR formats like Dolby Vision offering above 4,000 steps.

While current TVs may not be able to perfectly reproduce HDR masters from studios, a good HDR TV can be significantly brighter than its pre-HDR counterparts from a decade ago. This is due to advancements in display technology, such as improved LED efficiency and the introduction of innovative technologies like OLED.

The increased brightness, combined with technologies like color phosphors or quantum dots, allows for a notable improvement in color saturation, often referred to as a "wide color gamut" or DCI-P3. Furthermore, new TVs are starting to reach an even wider color space called Rec.2020. These advancements enable TVs to produce vivid, colorful images that closely resemble what we see in the physical world, surpassing the capabilities of previous generations of TVs.