8.1 HDR display technologies
13 min read•august 20, 2024
HDR display technologies offer cinematographers powerful tools to create visually stunning content. With increased contrast ratios, wider color gamuts, and higher levels, HDR enables more dynamic and lifelike images than traditional SDR displays.
Understanding different HDR display types, standards, and content creation workflows is crucial for cinematographers. From and to emerging technologies like , each display type has unique strengths to consider when crafting HDR content for various platforms.
HDR vs SDR
- High (HDR) and Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) are two different standards for displaying video content
- HDR offers several advantages over SDR, including a wider range of brightness levels, more vibrant colors, and enhanced detail in both bright and dark areas of the image
- Understanding the differences between HDR and SDR is crucial for cinematographers to create visually striking and immersive content
Increased contrast ratio
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- HDR displays offer a significantly higher contrast ratio compared to SDR displays
- Contrast ratio is the difference between the brightest and darkest parts of an image
- HDR displays can produce deeper blacks and brighter highlights, resulting in a more dynamic and realistic image (e.g., a sunset with bright sun and dark shadows)
- The increased contrast ratio allows for better preservation of detail in both bright and dark areas of the image
Wider color gamut
- HDR displays support a wider than SDR displays
- Color gamut refers to the range of colors that a display can reproduce
- HDR displays can show a broader range of colors, particularly in the red, green, and blue primary colors
- The wider color gamut allows for more vibrant and lifelike colors (e.g., a lush green forest or a vivid red sunset)
- Cinematographers can take advantage of the wider color gamut to create visually striking and emotionally impactful scenes
Higher peak brightness
- HDR displays can achieve much higher peak brightness levels compared to SDR displays
- Peak brightness is the maximum brightness a display can produce
- HDR displays can reach peak brightness levels of 1,000 nits or more, while SDR displays typically max out at around 100 nits
- The higher peak brightness allows for more impactful highlights and specular details (e.g., glints of light on metal or water)
- Cinematographers can use the higher peak brightness to create more dynamic and visually engaging scenes
HDR display types
- There are several types of HDR displays available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses
- Understanding the different HDR display technologies is important for cinematographers to ensure their content looks its best on various screens
- The choice of HDR display type can impact the creative decisions made during the production process
LED LCD with local dimming
- LED LCD displays with are a common type of HDR display
- Local dimming allows the display to control the brightness of specific zones or areas of the screen independently
- By selectively dimming or brightening different zones, the display can achieve higher contrast ratios and better black levels
- However, local dimming can sometimes result in blooming or haloing artifacts around bright objects on a dark background
- Cinematographers should be aware of these potential issues when creating content for LED LCD displays with local dimming
OLED
- OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays are another popular type of HDR display
- OLED displays offer several advantages over LED LCD displays, including perfect black levels, wide viewing angles, and fast response times
- Each pixel in an OLED display can be individually controlled, allowing for precise local dimming and eliminating blooming artifacts
- However, OLED displays may be susceptible to image retention or burn-in if a static image is displayed for an extended period
- Cinematographers should consider the strengths and weaknesses of OLED displays when creating HDR content
Dual modulation displays
- are an emerging type of HDR display that combines two light modulation techniques
- These displays use a high-resolution LCD panel to control the color and a low-resolution LED backlight array to control the brightness
- By separating the color and brightness control, dual modulation displays can achieve high contrast ratios and minimize haloing artifacts
- However, dual modulation displays are currently more expensive and less widely available than other HDR display types
- Cinematographers should be aware of the potential of dual modulation displays for future HDR content creation
Micro LED
- Micro LED displays are a promising new type of HDR display technology
- Micro LED displays consist of an array of microscopic LED lights that can be individually controlled
- Like OLED displays, Micro LED displays offer perfect black levels, wide viewing angles, and fast response times
- However, Micro LED displays can achieve higher peak brightness levels and are less susceptible to image retention or burn-in than OLED displays
- As Micro LED technology matures and becomes more affordable, it may become a popular choice for HDR content display
HDR standards
- There are several HDR standards available, each with its own specifications and requirements
- Understanding the different HDR standards is crucial for cinematographers to ensure their content is compatible with a wide range of displays and distribution platforms
- The choice of HDR standard can impact the creative decisions made during the production process
HDR10
- is an open, royalty-free HDR standard supported by a wide range of devices and platforms
- It uses 10-bit color depth and the BT.2020 color space, which offers a wider color gamut than the standard BT.709 color space used in SDR
- HDR10 supports peak brightness levels up to 1,000 nits and a maximum contrast ratio of 10,000:1
- However, HDR10 uses static metadata, which means the brightness and color information is set for the entire video and cannot be adjusted on a scene-by-scene basis
- Cinematographers should be aware of the limitations of static metadata when creating content for HDR10
HDR10+
- is an enhanced version of the HDR10 standard that adds dynamic metadata support
- Dynamic metadata allows the brightness and color information to be adjusted on a scene-by-scene or even frame-by-frame basis
- This enables more precise control over the HDR presentation and can result in a more optimal viewing experience
- HDR10+ is supported by a growing number of devices and platforms, including Samsung TVs and Amazon Prime Video
- Cinematographers can take advantage of the benefits of dynamic metadata when creating content for HDR10+
Dolby Vision
- is a proprietary HDR standard developed by Dolby Laboratories
- It offers several advantages over HDR10, including 12-bit color depth, a wider color gamut, and dynamic metadata support
- Dolby Vision supports peak brightness levels up to 10,000 nits and a maximum contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1
- The standard also includes a content mapping engine that can optimize the HDR presentation for the capabilities of the specific display being used
- However, Dolby Vision requires licensing fees and is less widely supported than HDR10
- Cinematographers should consider the benefits and limitations of Dolby Vision when creating HDR content
HLG
- Hybrid Log-Gamma () is an HDR standard developed by the BBC and NHK for broadcast and streaming applications
- HLG is designed to be backward compatible with SDR displays, allowing broadcasters to deliver HDR content to a wide range of viewers
- The standard uses a logarithmic transfer function that can encode a wide range of brightness levels in a signal that is compatible with existing SDR infrastructure
- HLG does not require metadata and is well-suited for live broadcasts and other real-time applications
- Cinematographers should be aware of the benefits and limitations of HLG when creating content for broadcast and streaming platforms
HDR content creation
- Creating HDR content requires a different approach than creating SDR content
- Cinematographers must consider the unique characteristics of HDR displays and adapt their techniques accordingly
- The HDR content creation process involves several key steps, including camera settings, monitoring, , and mastering
HDR camera settings
- When shooting HDR content, cinematographers must use cameras that support HDR capture
- Many modern digital cinema cameras offer HDR modes or log formats that can capture a wide dynamic range
- Cinematographers should choose the appropriate HDR mode or log format based on the specific requirements of the project
- It is important to properly expose the image to take full advantage of the camera's dynamic range without clipping highlights or crushing shadows
- Monitoring the image on an HDR display during shooting can help ensure proper exposure and creative intent
HDR monitoring on set
- Accurate HDR monitoring on set is crucial for ensuring the desired look and feel of the final image
- HDR monitoring requires specialized displays that can accurately represent the full range of brightness and color values in the HDR signal
- These displays should be properly calibrated to the chosen HDR standard (e.g., HDR10, Dolby Vision) to ensure consistency with the final deliverable
- Cinematographers should work closely with the DIT (Digital Imaging Technician) to ensure accurate HDR monitoring throughout the production process
HDR color grading workflow
- Color grading for HDR requires a different approach than grading for SDR
- HDR color grading should take advantage of the wider color gamut and increased dynamic range to create visually striking and immersive images
- Colorists should use HDR-capable grading software and hardware to ensure accurate representation of the HDR image
- The HDR grading process may involve the use of HDR-specific tools and techniques, such as color space conversions, , and metadata management
- Cinematographers should work closely with the colorist to ensure the final HDR grade achieves the desired creative intent
HDR mastering displays
- HDR mastering requires the use of specialized displays that can accurately represent the full range of brightness and color values in the HDR signal
- These displays should meet the specifications of the chosen HDR standard (e.g., peak brightness, color gamut, contrast ratio)
- Proper calibration of the mastering display is crucial for ensuring the accuracy and consistency of the final HDR deliverable
- Cinematographers should work closely with the mastering facility to ensure the final HDR master meets the desired creative intent and technical specifications
HDR distribution
- Distributing HDR content requires consideration of the various platforms and devices that support HDR playback
- Different HDR standards and formats may be required for different distribution channels
- Cinematographers should be aware of the HDR distribution landscape to ensure their content reaches the widest possible audience
HDR streaming services
- Many streaming services, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+, support HDR content delivery
- These services may require specific HDR formats or standards, such as HDR10, HDR10+, or Dolby Vision
- Cinematographers should work with the streaming service to ensure their HDR content meets the required specifications and delivery requirements
- Proper encoding and packaging of the HDR content is crucial for ensuring optimal playback on a wide range of devices
HDR Blu-ray discs
- HDR Blu-ray discs offer a high-quality option for distributing HDR content to home viewers
- The Ultra HD Blu-ray format supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, as well as higher resolutions (4K) and expanded color gamuts
- Cinematographers should work with the Blu-ray authoring facility to ensure the HDR content is properly encoded and authored for optimal playback on Ultra HD Blu-ray players
- Proper metadata management is crucial for ensuring the correct HDR presentation on a wide range of displays
HDR broadcast standards
- Broadcast networks are beginning to adopt HDR for live and recorded content delivery
- The HLG standard is widely used for HDR broadcasting due to its backward compatibility with SDR displays
- Other HDR broadcast standards, such as Advanced HDR by Technicolor and SL-HDR1, are also being developed and deployed
- Cinematographers should work with the broadcast network to ensure their HDR content meets the required specifications and delivery requirements for the chosen HDR broadcast standard
HDR display setup
- Proper setup of HDR displays is crucial for ensuring the optimal viewing experience for HDR content
- Cinematographers should be aware of the key factors involved in HDR display setup to ensure their content looks its best on a wide range of devices
HDR picture modes
- Most HDR displays offer a variety of picture modes that can impact the appearance of HDR content
- These modes may include options such as Cinema, Movie, or HDR, each with its own settings for brightness, contrast, color, and other parameters
- Cinematographers should be aware of the recommended picture mode for their HDR content and communicate this to viewers when possible
- Proper selection of the HDR picture mode can ensure the content is displayed as intended by the creator
HDR calibration
- Proper calibration of HDR displays is crucial for ensuring accurate and consistent representation of HDR content
- Calibration involves adjusting various display settings, such as brightness, contrast, color, and gamma, to match a reference standard
- Professional calibration tools and software, such as colorimeters and spectroradiometers, can be used to ensure accurate calibration
- Cinematographers should work with professional calibrators or provide guidance to viewers on proper HDR display calibration when possible
HDR metadata handling
- HDR metadata is crucial for ensuring the proper display of HDR content on a wide range of devices
- This metadata includes information such as the peak brightness, color gamut, and tone mapping characteristics of the content
- Proper handling of HDR metadata by the display is necessary for ensuring the correct HDR presentation
- Cinematographers should be aware of the metadata requirements for their chosen HDR standard and ensure this metadata is properly embedded in the content and handled by the display
Challenges of HDR adoption
- Despite the many benefits of HDR, there are still several challenges that can impact the widespread adoption of the technology
- Cinematographers should be aware of these challenges and work to address them when possible
Lack of HDR content
- One of the main challenges facing HDR adoption is the limited amount of available HDR content
- Many viewers may be hesitant to invest in HDR displays without a wide selection of HDR movies, TV shows, and other content
- Cinematographers can help address this challenge by creating more HDR content and advocating for the benefits of the technology
- As more HDR content becomes available, viewer adoption of HDR displays is likely to increase
Inconsistent HDR implementations
- Another challenge facing HDR adoption is the inconsistency of HDR implementations across different devices and platforms
- Different HDR standards, formats, and display capabilities can result in a varied viewing experience for HDR content
- Cinematographers should be aware of these inconsistencies and work to ensure their HDR content is optimized for a wide range of devices and platforms
- Collaboration with display manufacturers, content distributors, and industry organizations can help address these inconsistencies and ensure a more consistent HDR experience for viewers
Consumer confusion about HDR
- The variety of HDR standards, formats, and display capabilities can also lead to consumer confusion about the technology
- Many viewers may not fully understand the benefits of HDR or how to properly set up their HDR displays for optimal performance
- Cinematographers can help address this confusion by educating viewers about the benefits of HDR and providing guidance on proper display setup and calibration
- Clear communication and marketing of HDR content can also help alleviate consumer confusion and drive adoption of the technology
Future of HDR displays
- As HDR technology continues to evolve, new advancements in display capabilities and standards are likely to emerge
- Cinematographers should stay informed about these advancements and consider how they may impact the creation and distribution of HDR content
Increasing peak brightness
- One area of focus for future HDR displays is increasing peak brightness levels
- Higher peak brightness can provide even more impactful highlights and specular details, creating a more dynamic and experience
- Advancements in display technologies, such as miniLED and microLED, may enable peak brightness levels of 2,000 nits or more in future HDR displays
- Cinematographers should consider how these increased peak brightness levels may impact the creative choices made during production and post-production
Improving local dimming precision
- Another area of focus for future HDR displays is improving the precision of local dimming
- More precise local dimming can help minimize blooming and haloing artifacts, providing a more accurate and consistent HDR presentation
- Advancements in display technologies, such as miniLED and dual-modulation displays, may enable more precise local dimming in future HDR displays
- Cinematographers should consider how improved local dimming precision may impact the appearance of their HDR content on future displays
Addressing haloing artifacts
- Haloing artifacts, which can appear around bright objects on a dark background, are a common issue with current HDR displays
- Future HDR displays may employ advanced techniques to minimize or eliminate these artifacts, such as improved local dimming algorithms or new display technologies
- Cinematographers should be aware of the potential for haloing artifacts in current HDR displays and consider how these artifacts may be addressed in future displays
- Collaboration with display manufacturers and industry organizations can help drive the development of solutions to haloing artifacts
Developing new HDR standards
- As HDR technology continues to evolve, new standards and formats may emerge to address the limitations of current standards
- These new standards may offer improved color gamut, dynamic range, and metadata handling capabilities
- Cinematographers should stay informed about the development of new HDR standards and consider how they may impact the creation and distribution of HDR content
- Collaboration with industry organizations and participation in the development of new standards can help ensure the needs of content creators are met in future HDR standards
Key Terms to Review (23)
Adobe Premiere Pro: Adobe Premiere Pro is a professional video editing software that allows users to edit and assemble footage, add effects, and perform color correction and grading. This powerful tool is widely used in the film and television industry, offering advanced features that connect seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications, enhancing the workflow for color management, grading techniques, and HDR content creation.
Bit Depth: Bit depth refers to the number of bits used to represent the color of a single pixel in an image or video. This directly affects the amount of color information and detail captured in the visual media. Higher bit depths allow for more colors and smoother gradients, which enhances the overall quality and dynamic range of the image, impacting everything from resolution to creative color grading techniques and HDR workflows.
Color gamut: Color gamut refers to the range of colors that can be displayed or reproduced by a device, such as a monitor or printer. It is crucial in determining how accurately colors can be represented in images and videos, especially when it comes to high dynamic range (HDR) content, which often involves wider color spaces. A larger color gamut allows for more vibrant and diverse colors, impacting the visual experience significantly.
Color grading: Color grading is the process of adjusting and enhancing the color properties of a video or film to achieve a desired visual aesthetic or mood. This technique plays a vital role in shaping the narrative and emotional impact of the visual story, influencing everything from the lighting and camera settings to the final output seen by audiences.
DaVinci Resolve: DaVinci Resolve is a professional video editing software developed by Blackmagic Design that integrates editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production in a single application. It is highly regarded for its robust color grading capabilities and workflow efficiency, making it a popular choice among filmmakers and video editors.
Dolby Vision: Dolby Vision is an advanced HDR (High Dynamic Range) imaging technology that enhances the visual experience by delivering greater contrast, brightness, and color accuracy. It allows content creators to master their work with precise control over brightness levels and color palettes, ensuring that viewers experience films and shows as intended, whether on a compatible display or through streaming platforms.
Dual Modulation Displays: Dual modulation displays are advanced display technologies that utilize two separate modulation processes to enhance the representation of high dynamic range (HDR) content. This approach allows for better control over brightness and color accuracy, resulting in images with greater depth and realism. By leveraging dual modulation, these displays can produce a wider range of luminance levels and improve overall visual performance.
Dynamic Range: Dynamic range refers to the range of brightness levels that a camera sensor can capture, from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights. It is crucial in determining how well a camera can reproduce detail in both extreme light and dark areas, impacting everything from exposure settings to post-production processes.
Exposure bracketing: Exposure bracketing is a photographic technique where multiple images are taken at different exposure settings to ensure that at least one of the images captures the correct exposure. This method is especially useful in situations with challenging lighting conditions, as it helps photographers achieve a well-balanced image, particularly when dealing with high dynamic range scenes. It is closely tied to HDR imaging, as bracketing is often used to create a composite image that highlights the details in both the shadows and highlights.
HDR10: HDR10 is a widely adopted high dynamic range (HDR) video standard that enhances the visual quality of images by providing greater contrast and a wider color gamut. This standard supports up to 10-bit color depth, allowing for over a billion distinct colors, and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, which significantly improves the viewing experience on compatible displays. HDR10 sets a foundation for more immersive content by combining high resolution and bit depth with advanced color representation.
HDR10+: HDR10+ is an advanced high dynamic range (HDR) format that enhances the standard HDR10 by incorporating dynamic metadata, allowing for scene-by-scene adjustments to brightness and color. This means that HDR10+ can optimize content for displays in real-time, improving the viewing experience by providing more accurate and vibrant colors, better contrast, and enhanced details in both bright and dark areas of the image.
High dynamic range lighting: High dynamic range (HDR) lighting refers to a technique used in photography and cinematography that captures a wider range of luminosity than standard imaging techniques. This method allows for more detail in both the brightest and darkest parts of an image, resulting in a more realistic and visually striking representation of a scene. HDR lighting enhances color accuracy and depth, making it particularly important in modern HDR display technologies that aim to deliver an immersive viewing experience.
HLG: HLG, or Hybrid Log-Gamma, is a video transfer function developed by the BBC and NHK that enables high dynamic range (HDR) video to be displayed on standard dynamic range (SDR) displays without requiring special processing. This function combines the benefits of logarithmic and gamma functions to enhance the detail in both bright and dark areas of an image, making it ideal for HDR content.
Immersive viewing: Immersive viewing refers to a visual experience that envelops the audience, making them feel as though they are part of the content rather than just an observer. This concept is closely linked to advancements in display technologies, particularly those that enhance visual realism and emotional engagement, such as HDR displays that provide greater color depth, brightness, and contrast.
LED LCD: LED LCD refers to a type of display technology that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the backlight for liquid crystal displays (LCDs). This combination enhances picture quality by providing brighter images, better color reproduction, and improved energy efficiency compared to traditional LCDs that use fluorescent backlighting. It plays a crucial role in high dynamic range (HDR) display technologies, as the increased brightness and contrast ratios allow for more vivid and lifelike visuals.
Local dimming: Local dimming is a technology used in display screens, particularly in LED-backlit LCDs, that enhances the contrast ratio by allowing specific areas of the screen to dim or brighten independently. This technique improves black levels and overall picture quality, especially in high dynamic range (HDR) content, by reducing the halo effect around bright objects on dark backgrounds. Local dimming is crucial for achieving deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, making it a key feature in HDR display technologies.
Micro LED: Micro LED is an advanced display technology that utilizes microscopic light-emitting diodes to create images with exceptional brightness, contrast, and color accuracy. This technology allows for self-emissive displays, meaning each pixel generates its own light, leading to improved HDR performance and energy efficiency compared to traditional LCD or OLED screens.
OLED: OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode, a display technology that uses organic compounds to emit light when an electric current is applied. Unlike traditional LCDs, OLED screens do not require a backlight, allowing for thinner designs and improved contrast ratios. This technology offers deeper blacks, vibrant colors, and wide viewing angles, making it a significant advancement in display resolution and bit depth, as well as HDR capabilities.
Peak brightness: Peak brightness refers to the maximum luminance level that a display can achieve, often measured in nits. This feature is crucial in HDR (High Dynamic Range) display technologies as it allows for a wider range of brightness levels, enhancing the viewing experience by providing more realistic images with greater detail in highlights and shadows.
Tone mapping: Tone mapping is a technique used to convert high dynamic range (HDR) images into a format suitable for display on standard dynamic range (SDR) devices while preserving the visual details and contrast of the original scene. This process is crucial for displaying images that contain a wide range of brightness levels, ensuring that highlights and shadows are rendered accurately. It connects directly to the understanding of dynamic range, how HDR display technologies function, the methods involved in HDR color grading and mastering, as well as the benefits and challenges posed by HDR and wide color gamut (WCG). Additionally, tone mapping is essential for anticipating future developments in HDR and WCG technologies.
Ultra HD Premium: Ultra HD Premium is a certification that ensures a display meets specific standards for resolution, color, and dynamic range to deliver an exceptional viewing experience. This certification guarantees that the content displayed is in Ultra High Definition (UHD) and supports High Dynamic Range (HDR), providing vibrant colors, increased contrast, and enhanced details that significantly elevate the quality of the picture.
Visual fidelity: Visual fidelity refers to the accuracy and quality of visual representation, ensuring that images and colors are reproduced as closely as possible to their original source. High visual fidelity is crucial for delivering realistic and immersive experiences in visual media, especially as display technologies evolve. This concept becomes increasingly significant with advancements in display technologies and the ongoing development of HDR (High Dynamic Range) and WCG (Wide Color Gamut), which enhance how visuals are perceived by audiences.
Wide color spectrum: A wide color spectrum refers to the range of colors that can be displayed by a device, encompassing a greater variety of hues and shades than standard displays. This capability is crucial for accurately reproducing images and videos, making visuals more vibrant and lifelike. Devices that utilize a wide color spectrum can deliver enhanced detail in color transitions, improving overall image quality in HDR content.