H

igh dynamic range is all about expanding the colours that

our cameras can record, our computers can process and

• most crucially – our displays can reproduce. The colour
  standards most of our devices use today are limited in the
  colour range, brightness and contrast they can show, meaning that no
  matter how good the display or image, it will only ever look so close to
  real life. With high dynamic range, all these factors are expanded,
  allowing for brighter colours, darker depths and more colour accuracy
  in between.
  At least, that’s the theory, but the end result you get from different
  screens that claim to offer HDR can vary wildly. Some supposed HDR
  displays can look little different to non-HDR ones while others are
  positively dazzling. What creates this difference is a combination of
  different standards and different hardware, both of which we’re here
  to demystify.

HDR IS THE NEXT BIG STEP IN DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY

BUT ITS ARRIVAL HAS BEEN CONFUSED BY A HOST

OF DIFFERENT STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGIES.

EDWARD CHESTER WADES THROUGH THE MURKY

WATERS TO CLEAR THINGS UP

HDR

DEEP DIVE

WITH MOST HDR STANDARDS,

THE ACCURACY WITH WHICH

COLOURS CAN BE DESCRIBED

IS INCREASED FROM 8-BIT

PER CHANNEL TO 10-BIT

FEATURE/ ANALYSIS