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Glossary

HDR

High Dynamic Range — a display capability that delivers a wider range of brightness and color than traditional SDR (standard dynamic range). Formats include HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG.

HDR widens the gap between the darkest black and the brightest white a display can produce, while expanding the color volume.

Formats

  • HDR10 — open standard, static metadata (one tone-mapping curve per movie).
  • HDR10+ — dynamic metadata, scene-by-scene tone mapping.
  • Dolby Vision — proprietary, dynamic metadata, 12-bit color path.
  • HLG — broadcast-friendly, single signal works on SDR and HDR displays.

What to look for

A "HDR-capable" display that peaks at 400 nits will not deliver the HDR experience the format is designed for. Look for VESA DisplayHDR 1000 or higher on monitors, or >1,000 nits peak on TVs. Cheaper HDR labels (HDR400) mean the panel accepts the signal but cannot show it as intended.

Where this matters

Categories that use hdr

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