High Dynamic Range, or HDR, is one of the most significant improvements in television picture quality since the move to high definition. HDR allows TVs to display a wider range of brightness levels and colours, resulting in images that are more lifelike and visually stunning. However, the world of HDR is complicated by multiple competing formats, each with its own advantages and limitations.
This guide explains what HDR actually does, breaks down the major HDR formats available in Australia, and helps you understand which formats matter most for your viewing habits.
What Is HDR and Why Does It Matter?
Traditional television content uses a standard dynamic range (SDR) that was designed for older CRT televisions. SDR limits how bright highlights can be and how dark shadows can appear. HDR expands this range dramatically, allowing:
- Brighter highlights: Sunlight, explosions, and reflections appear more realistic and intense
- Deeper blacks: Dark scenes show more detail without looking washed out
- Wider colour gamut: More colours can be displayed, especially vibrant reds, greens, and blues
- Better contrast: Greater difference between light and dark areas in the same scene
The result is a picture that looks more like what your eyes see in real life. Sunset scenes have that golden glow, neon signs actually appear to illuminate, and shadowy scenes reveal subtle details that SDR cannot reproduce.
HDR and 4K are different technologies that often go together. 4K refers to resolution (more pixels for sharper images), while HDR refers to brightness, contrast, and colour range. Many experts consider HDR to provide a more noticeable improvement than 4K alone, especially at typical viewing distances.
HDR10: The Universal Standard
HDR10 is the foundation of HDR technology and the most widely supported format. It's an open standard, meaning manufacturers don't pay licensing fees to use it, which is why virtually every HDR-capable TV supports HDR10.
How HDR10 Works
HDR10 uses static metadata - brightness and colour information that's set once for the entire movie or show. The TV receives this metadata at the beginning of playback and applies it throughout. This approach is simple and reliable, but it means the TV can't optimise settings for individual scenes.
HDR10 Specifications
- 10-bit colour depth (over 1 billion colours)
- Maximum brightness: up to 10,000 nits (though most content is mastered for 1,000-4,000 nits)
- Rec. 2020 colour space
- Static metadata
HDR10 is supported by every streaming service in Australia, every 4K Blu-ray player, every gaming console, and every HDR TV. If your TV only supports one HDR format, HDR10 is essential.
Dolby Vision: The Premium Choice
Dolby Vision is a proprietary HDR format developed by Dolby Laboratories. It builds upon HDR10's foundation but adds dynamic metadata and higher technical specifications.
What Makes Dolby Vision Different
The key advantage of Dolby Vision is dynamic metadata. Instead of applying one set of brightness and colour settings to an entire movie, Dolby Vision can adjust settings scene by scene, or even frame by frame. This allows:
- Optimised picture for every scene - a dark cave followed by a bright desert will each look their best
- Better tone mapping on TVs that can't hit extreme brightness levels
- More consistent experience across different TV capabilities
Dolby Vision Specifications
- Up to 12-bit colour depth (68 billion colours)
- Maximum brightness: up to 10,000 nits
- Dynamic metadata updated throughout playback
- Requires licensing (adds small cost to TV manufacturing)
Netflix, Stan, Disney+, and Apple TV+ all support Dolby Vision content in Australia. Many premium TVs from LG, Sony, TCL, and Hisense support Dolby Vision. Samsung TVs notably do not support Dolby Vision, instead favouring HDR10+.
HDR10+: Samsung's Dynamic Answer
HDR10+ was developed by Samsung and Amazon as a royalty-free alternative to Dolby Vision. Like Dolby Vision, it adds dynamic metadata to the HDR10 foundation, but without licensing costs.
HDR10+ Features
- Dynamic metadata like Dolby Vision
- 10-bit colour (same as HDR10)
- No licensing fee for manufacturers
- Backwards compatible with HDR10
HDR10+ offers similar scene-by-scene optimisation to Dolby Vision, making it a capable format. However, its content library is smaller than Dolby Vision's. Amazon Prime Video is the primary streaming supporter in Australia, and Samsung is the main TV manufacturer championing the format.
HLG: Broadcast HDR
Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) is an HDR format developed by the BBC and NHK specifically for broadcast television. Unlike other formats, HLG doesn't require metadata and is backwards compatible with SDR televisions.
Why HLG Matters
HLG is designed for live broadcasts where adding frame-by-frame metadata isn't practical. In Australia, some free-to-air broadcasts use HLG for sports and events. The format is also used by some streaming services for their live content.
Most HDR TVs support HLG, ensuring you can watch HDR broadcasts as they become more common in Australia.
Comparing HDR Formats
Here's how the major formats compare:
- Best compatibility: HDR10 - works with everything
- Best picture quality: Dolby Vision - dynamic metadata and higher bit depth
- Best for Samsung TVs: HDR10+ - Samsung's preferred dynamic format
- Best for live TV: HLG - designed for broadcast
For most Australians, a TV supporting HDR10 and Dolby Vision covers the vast majority of HDR content. If you're buying a Samsung TV, HDR10 and HDR10+ will be your main formats. Don't stress too much about format support - all HDR formats provide a significant improvement over SDR.
Getting the Most from HDR
TV Requirements
Not all HDR-capable TVs deliver equal HDR performance. For impactful HDR, look for:
- Peak brightness: At least 600 nits for LED TVs, though 1,000+ nits is preferable
- OLED TVs: Infinite contrast compensates for lower peak brightness
- Wide colour gamut: At least 90% DCI-P3 coverage
- Local dimming: Essential for LED TVs to achieve deep blacks in HDR
Content Sources
To watch HDR content, you need:
- A subscription to an HDR-enabled streaming service (most premium tiers include HDR)
- Fast internet (25 Mbps minimum for 4K HDR streaming)
- HDR-enabled apps on your TV (built-in or via streaming device)
- For physical media: a 4K Blu-ray player and 4K HDR Blu-ray discs
Room Conditions
HDR benefits from controlled lighting. While HDR TVs are bright enough for daylight viewing, you'll see the biggest improvement in contrast and colour in a dimly lit room. Consider ambient lighting that doesn't reflect on the screen for the optimal HDR experience.
HDR Gaming
Both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X support HDR gaming, with many titles offering stunning HDR visuals. Gaming HDR typically uses HDR10, though some games support Dolby Vision on Xbox.
For HDR gaming, look for a TV with low input lag in HDR mode and HDMI 2.1 ports for 4K 120Hz HDR gaming capability.
Conclusion
HDR technology dramatically enhances picture quality, bringing greater realism and visual impact to your viewing experience. While the multiple competing formats can seem confusing, the practical differences between them are smaller than the collective improvement they all provide over SDR content. Prioritise HDR10 support as a minimum, add Dolby Vision if available in your price range, and don't worry too much about format wars. The most important factor is getting an HDR TV that performs well - high brightness, good contrast, and wide colour gamut will deliver stunning HDR regardless of which specific format your content uses.