From broadcast production to embedded systems, the quality of what we see on a display directly impacts how we interpret and act on information.

Today’s visual workflows are no longer limited to simply “showing an image.” They are expected to deliver clarity, accuracy, and depth — whether it’s reviewing camera output, analyzing data, or creating content. This is where terms like SDR, HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision come into play. They are often used interchangeably, sometimes reduced to marketing labels, and frequently misunderstood.

But the reality is: Not all HDR is equal. And not all displays reveal the same information.

What is SDR?

SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) is the traditional display format used for decades. Standard dynamic range (SDR) uses conventional 2.2 gamma electro-optical transfer function (EOTF) shown in figure below.

Typically, 8 bits of color depth. This limits the contrast ratio of the display roughly 1200:1. Backlight has no greater function than to simply provide uniform source of light and globally control. White point is defined by the single point from back light. The whites may be dimmer, while blacks may lose granularity.

As a result, in SDR displays, the scenes may lack depth and realism. The display treats the entire screen uniformly, which limits how much detail can be shown in both bright and dark areas.

What is HDR?

HDR (High Dynamic Range) designed to overcome these limitations. EOTF curve that is extended on both ends as shown in figure.

Typically, 10 bits of color depth. The contrast ratio is 200000:1. In HDR displays, the backlight is often divided into smaller zones, controlled individually, called ‘local backlight’ or ‘regional backlight’.

Matching the brightness of these zones to the overlaid pixel data opens the possibility of creating much brighter white areas and significantly darker black areas. For example, a particular frame that shows an object being lit by the sun on one side and causing a shadow in the other may overemphasize the brightness behind the sun, but a very low brightness level behind the shadow. This will result in a very bright, lifelike representation of the sun, while still preserving the data granularity in the shadows. HDR can render scenes much closer to how the human eye perceives real-world light and contrast.

HDR Isn’t Just Brighter. It’s Smarter.

High Dynamic Range (HDR) is often associated to a number — 10, 10+ (400, 600, or 1000).

*When you see a three-digit number next to the HDR abbreviation, that number is used to describe the maximum number of nits the display can support, which is essentially the brightness levels.

HDR10

HDR10 is the standard pushed by the UHD alliance. HDR10 uses static metadata that is consistent across all displays. This means HDR10 video sets light and color levels in absolute values, regardless of the screen it’s being shown on. It’s an open standard, so any content producer or distributor can use it freely. Every service with HDR content supports HDR10, usually along with Dolby Vision or another HDR format. HDR10 also supports a peak brightness of up to 1000 nits, which is much brighter than the typical SDR display. HDR10 uses Rec. 2020, wide gamut color space. For compressed video sources, HDR10 uses 4:2:0 color sub-sampling.

Compared to more advanced HDR standards like HDR10+, Dolby Vision or Hybrid Log Gamma, HDR10’s 1,000-nit maximum peak brightness might not showcase the full potential of HDR visuals on displays capable of higher nit levels.

When it comes to compatibility and content availability, HDR10 is currently the most widely adopted HDR standard. Many streaming services, including Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and Apple TV+, offer HDR10 content. Additionally, most 4K UHD Blu-ray discs are mastered in HDR10.

HDR10 is also supported by a wide variety of companies, which include monitor and TV manufacturers such as Dell, LG, Samsung, Sharp, VU, Sony, and Vizio, as well as Sony, Microsoft, and Apple which support HDR10 on their PlayStation 4, Xbox One video game console, and Apple TV platforms.

HDR10+ (400,600,1000)

HDR10+ is a standard developed by Samsung. It builds on HDR10 by adding dynamic metadata, like Dolby Vision. It doesn’t use individualized metadata for each screen, but it still adjusts the range of light it tells the TV to display for each scene or frame. It can potentially add more detail to your picture over what HDR10 shows, and like HDR10 it’s an open standard that doesn’t require licensing with a very specific production workflow.

HDR standards like HDR400, HDR600, and HDR1000 are part of VESA’s DisplayHDR certification, and they define minimum performance levels, not actual experience.

HDR400

HDR400 is a specification by VESA (Video electronics standard association). DisplayHDR that means the display is HDR compatible at 400 nits. HDR400 monitors are entry-level HDR displays. Generally, most people agree that 400 nits are not bright enough. However, HDR400 is better than SDR or standard monitors, with VESA DisplayHDR 400 providing 95% of the sRGB color gamut.

HDR400 has a true 8-bit image, global dimming, minimum peak luminance of 400 cd/m2 in 10% center patch test and flash test, minimum peak luminance of 320 cd/m2 sustained for 30 minutes over the entire screen.

In terms of adoption, HDR400 is a common entry point for HDR on laptops and some budget-friendly TVs. It might be suitable for users seeking a basic HDR experience like watching streaming content that may not be mastered for the full potential of HDR.

HDR600

HDR600 is a step up from HDR400 and is considered a middle-ground option within VESA’s DisplayHDR certification. It offers a minimum peak brightness of 600 nits, which is a significant improvement over the 400 nits offered by HDR400.

This increased brightness level allows for better contrast and more vibrant colors, enhancing the overall visual quality of the display. HDR600 uses dithering techniques to simulate a 10-bit color depth. Dithering rapidly switches between similar color shades, creating the illusion of a wider color range. HDR600 follows the DCI-P3 color gamut, hitting 90% coverage. It also introduces local dimming, which means that dimming can be varied across the monitor, leading to better contrast and more detailed images.

The peak luminance of 600 cd/m2 is achieved in both 10% center patch test and flash test, while a minimum peak luminance of 350 cd/m2 is sustained for 30 minutes over the entire screen.

HDR600 is a good choice for users seeking a more balanced HDR experience without breaking the bank. It offers a noticeable improvement over SDR and HDR400, making it suitable for gamers, movie enthusiasts, and content creators who want to enjoy HDR content with better contrast and color accuracy.

HDR1000

HDR1000 is the top-tier standard in the HDR landscape, offering a peak brightness of 1000 nits. This is a significant improvement over the 600 nits offered by HDR600 and the 400 nits offered by HDR400. The increased brightness level allows for better contrast and more vibrant colors, enhancing the overall visual quality of the display.

HDR1000 supports 10-bit imaging (using dithering techniques) and follows the DCI-P3 wide color gamut, hitting 90% coverage.

It uses advanced local dimming with a higher number of dimming zones which enables precise control over backlight levels, minimizing blooming and creating exceptional contrast for a truly immersive viewing experience. The minimum peak luminance of 1000 cd/m2 is achieved in both 10% center patch test and flash test, while a minimum peak luminance of 600 cd/m2 is sustained for 30 minutes over the entire screen.

HDR1000 provides a more vibrant and dynamic visual experience compared to other standards. It improves the dynamic contrast ratio, brightening up colors significantly when displaying intensely clear dark colors. This results in a more realistic viewing experience. As a downside, HDR1000 displays are typically the most expensive option due to the advanced technology involved.

Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG)

Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) isn’t as common as HDR10 or Dolby Vision, and there’s very little content for it yet outside of some BBC and DirecTV broadcasts, but it could make HDR much more widely available. That’s because it was developed by the BBC and Japan’s NHK to provide a video format that broadcasters could use to send HDR signals (and SDR; HLG is backwards-compatible). It’s technically more universal because it doesn’t use metadata at all; instead, it uses a combination of the gamma curve that TVs use to calculate brightness for SDR content and a logarithmic curve to calculate the much higher levels of brightness that HDR-capable TVs can produce (hence the name Hybrid Log-Gamma).

Dolby Vision

Dolby Vision a license version of HDR10 and an advanced HDR (High Dynamic Range) format that enhances picture quality by delivering superior brightness, contrast, and color depth (up to 12-bit, or 68 billion colors). It uses dynamic metadata to adjust the image on a scene-by-scene or frame-by-frame basis, ensuring the display produces the best possible picture.

Dolby Vision is widely adopted on streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Max) and supported by major brands like LG, Sony, TCL, and Vizio.

 

Choosing the Right HDR Display