HDR10+: What You Should Know
High Dynamic Range, also known as HDR, has transformed the way people enjoy their visual content. HDR technology enhances the range of colors, brightness, and contrast in images or movies, making the viewing experience more lifelike and immersive. Now, with the advent of HDR10+, viewers can experience a more advanced version of HDR technology.
What is HDR10+?
HDR10+ is an upgraded version of HDR10 technology, which further improves image quality by applying dynamic metadata. Dynamic metadata is supplementary information added in every scene of a movie or image that provides instructions for displaying that content. The metadata directs the TV on optimal color and brightness settings for each scene, giving viewers an enhanced and more accurate viewing experience.
HDR10+ is a collaborative effort between Samsung, Fox, and Panasonic, which introduced this technology in 2017. The main aim was to make HDR more effective and less restricted. Compared to HDR10, HDR10+ adds scene-by-scene optimization, leading to an enhanced visual experience.
How is HDR10+ different from other HDR versions?
HDR10+ differs from its counterparts in the following ways:
1. Dynamic Metadata
HDR10+ includes dynamic metadata that works in real-time to adjust the content according to the changing light of the scene. This feature enables picture quality to remain accurate and vibrant from frame to frame and makes the picture more realistic.
2. Scene-by-scene optimization
HDR10+ applies dynamic metadata management with scene-by-scene optimization, leading to more precise brightness and contrast. For example, when the main character is standing in front of a bright background, the metadata adjusts the brightness and contrast of the person to avoid dark shadows, making the whole scene appear more natural.
3. Less Restricted
HDR10+ is less restrictive as it is an open standard that anyone can use, unlike Dolby Vision, which is a closed standard that requires specialized equipment and licensing fees.
What devices support HDR10+?
HDR10+ support is currently available on 4K HDR TVs from a few manufacturers, including Samsung, Panasonic, TCL, and Philips. Additionally, it is also found on some 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays, video streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and certain smartphones, such as Samsung Galaxy S10 and S20 series.
HDR10+ is an exciting technology that enhances the picture quality of HDR and takes it to the next level by providing real-time dynamic metadata management. This feature allows every single frame of content to be optimized on its own, leading to a more precise and vibrant picture. HDR10+ further increases the quality of viewing experience for consumers, and due to its open standard, it is accessible to everyone. So, if you love films or TV shows that support HDR technology, a device that supports HDR10+ will undoubtedly take your viewing experience to the next level.