HDRDisplays

HDRDisplays refer to screens capable of presenting high dynamic range content, delivering brighter highlights, deeper blacks, and more saturated colors than standard dynamic range displays. They achieve this through higher peak brightness, expanded color gamut, and advanced tone mapping to preserve detail in bright and dark areas. HDR content is mastered for a specific target brightness and color volume, and often carries metadata to guide playback.

Several standards define HDR formats. HDR10 uses the SMPTE 2084 PQ transfer function and static metadata, typically 10-bit color, and is the baseline in most consumer devices. Dolby Vision uses dynamic metadata and can support higher color depth and brightness; HDR10+ adds dynamic metadata as well. Hybrid Log-Gamma or HLG is designed for broadcaster use and does not carry metadata. The ITU-R BT.2100 color space is a common reference for HDR content.

Display technologies vary for HDR. OLED panels offer true blacks and wide color coverage; LCD-based displays can reach high peak brightness with local dimming, including mini-LED or micro-LED implementations; QLED is a marketing term used for quantum-dot LCDs. The choice affects contrast, brightness, color accuracy, and viewing angles.

For best results, HDR content should be mastered for HDR and viewed on a display that supports the intended format and brightness. Consumers may need compatible players, cables, and decoders, plus a darkened room helps with perceived contrast. Content availability and device support vary by platform and region.

Limitations include inconsistent tone mapping between devices, varying peak brightness, and limited native HDR content; many HDR experiences rely on upscaling or metadata compatibility. HDR has become common in televisions and computer monitors, but the degree of improvement depends on the display's capabilities and source material.