HDRFormat

HDRFormat is a generic designation used to describe file, container, or data formats that can encode high dynamic range (HDR) imaging data. It signifies content that aims to preserve a wider range of luminance and color than standard dynamic range (SDR) material, often through higher bit depths, broader color gamuts, and metadata that informs display processing.

Technically, formats labeled HDRFormat typically support 10- to 16-bit color channels, and may employ non-linear transfer functions such as Perceptual Quantizer (PQ) or Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG). They can store data in linear-light form or in a non-linear encoding and are used in pipelines that range from production to distribution. Depending on the implementation, HDRFormat content may be scene-referred, preserving the original scene luminance for tone mapping, or display-referred, optimized for direct viewing on HDR displays.

Metadata plays a central role in HDRFormat content. Static mastering display metadata conveys target brightness and color characteristics for a given title, while dynamic metadata can adjust tone-mapping on a frame-by-frame basis. Standards and specifications associated with HDRFormat often include guidance for color spaces (such as Rec. 2020 or Rec. 709 in certain workflows) and compatibility considerations across devices, processors, and displays.

In practice, HDRFormat is not a single formal standard but a label indicating HDR-capable data. Real-world HDR formats include HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG, as well as film-oriented formats like OpenEXR used in production. HDRFormat content requires compatible displays and processing pipelines to realize its extended luminance and color potential. See also high dynamic range imaging, HDR standards, and tone mapping.