Identifying Hdr Monitors: A Quick Guide To Knowing More

HDR, or High Dynamic Range, is a display technology that provides a wider range of colours and contrast than traditional monitors. It can make images look more realistic and lifelike. If you're wondering whether your monitor has HDR, there are a few ways to check.

If you're buying a new monitor, check the specs to see if it supports HDR. Look for features like HDR10 or Dolby Vision. Some monitors also have an HDR logo or label, which is usually a small rectangle with the word HDR inside. You can also check the manual to see if it supports HDR.

If you're not sure if your monitor supports HDR, you can check its settings. On a Windows device, open the display settings by pressing the Windows key + I, selecting Display, and then clicking on the HDR and WCG tab. Make sure the HDR and WCG option is turned on.

Additionally, to get the most out of HDR, your monitor should have certain specifications, such as a peak brightness of at least 400 cd/m², black levels of 0.40 mm or lower, 10-bit colour depth, and 90% DCI-P3 colour space coverage or greater.

Check for an HDR logo

One of the easiest ways to check if your monitor has HDR is to look for the HDR logo on the front or back of the monitor. If you can't find the logo, you can try looking in the manual or on the manufacturer's website.

Another way to check is to review the specifications of the monitor, which should list whether or not it supports HDR. You can usually find this information in the monitor's specifications or on the manufacturer's website.

Additionally, you can check online reviews or forums to see what other people have said about the monitor's HDR capabilities.

If you're looking for a new monitor with HDR, it's important to do your research and consider your budget and intended use. There are a few different types of HDR monitors available, such as OLED, QD-OLED, and Mini LED.

Check for an HDR label

Checking for an HDR label is a simple way to determine if your monitor supports HDR. Right-click on your desktop and open the "Display Settings" page. Under "Rearrange your displays" or "Choose an HDR-capable display", you should find an option called "Play HDR games and apps", which should be enabled. Additionally, under "Windows HD Color Settings", you can scroll down to the bottom of the page and compare the SDR and HDR video images to spot any visible differences.

If you're using an external display, such as a monitor or TV, ensure you have Windows version 1803 or later. For a laptop or AIO PC's integrated panel, you need version 1903 or later. You can check your Windows version by typing "winver" at the Start button or within a command window. If you're using an older version, update your operating system by typing "Check for updates" at the Start button or in a command window, then follow the update instructions.

It's also important to verify that you have the latest video drivers from Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD for your GPU. This ensures that your system is equipped with the necessary hardware to handle HDR content.

Once you've confirmed that HDR is enabled in your operating system, you can test its functionality. The proof of HDR working is that the peak white level differs between SDR and HDR applications. You can use various methods to test this, such as loading an SDR application with a full white SDR background and comparing it with an HDR app. For instance, you can use the DisplayHDR Test Tool available on the Microsoft Store. By minimising the tool's window, you can easily compare the SDR white of Notepad with the HDR white of the DisplayHDR Test Tool. If you notice a difference, HDR is functioning correctly.

Additionally, when playing HDR video content on YouTube, you can check if HDR is supported by looking for the "HDR" label in the drop-down list of available resolutions. If the label is present and your system is HDR-enabled, you should see it. When viewing HDR content, the peak white levels should be significantly brighter than the browser background's SDR white level. It is recommended to use the Edge browser for correct tone mapping.

Check the box for features like HDR10 or Dolby Vision

When it comes to HDR, there are a few different formats to consider: HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. Dolby Vision is a premium, licensed product, whereas HDR10 is free and open-standard. Dolby Vision is capable of producing a better image quality than HDR10, but there are currently no TVs that can take full advantage of what it provides.

Dolby Vision supports 12-bit colour depth, which amounts to 68.7 billion colours, while HDR10 is limited to 10-bit and 1.07 billion colours. However, as there are no 12-bit TVs or content available yet, Dolby Vision downsamples its colour depth to 10-bit, which only provides a subtle improvement over native 10-bit colour.

Dolby Vision also uses dynamic metadata, which means it can change information such as colour and brightness on a frame-by-frame basis, making the viewing experience more immersive. In contrast, HDR10 uses static metadata, which means it sets the same metadata for an entire film.

To check if your monitor supports Dolby Vision, look for the "Dolby Vision" logo on the box, manual, or the monitor itself.

Check the manual for HDR specifications

To check if your monitor has HDR, you can refer to the manual or documentation provided by the manufacturer. This should outline the specifications of the monitor, including its HDR capabilities. Here are some key specifications to look out for:

• Resolution: For built-in displays, ensure your monitor has a resolution of at least 1080p.
• Brightness: A built-in display should ideally have a maximum brightness of 300 nits or more. For true HDR output, look for a monitor with a peak brightness of at least 400 cd/m².
• Colour Depth: Look for monitors with 10-bit colour support or higher. This will provide smoother transitions between hues and improve colour rendering.
• Colour Space: A wider colour space or gamut will result in more vivid and colourful images. Aim for 90% DCI-P3 coverage or greater.
• Backlight Local Dimming: This feature improves the contrast between dark and light areas of an image. It is a key feature of quality HDR monitors.
• VESA DisplayHDR Logo: The VESA DisplayHDR logo indicates that the monitor's specifications have been tested and verified by the VESA Display HDR program. There are seven tiers of certification, with higher tiers indicating better HDR capabilities.
• HDR Format Support: Ensure your monitor supports an HDR format such as HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, or HLG.
• Panel Type: OLED and Mini LED panels tend to offer better HDR performance due to their ability to dim individual sections of the screen.
• Refresh Rate and Response Time: If you intend to use the monitor for gaming, consider the refresh rate and response time. Many HDR monitors use ISP panels with slower response times, so look for a monitor designed specifically for gaming if this is important to you.

Check the monitor's settings for HDR features

To check if your monitor has HDR capabilities, you can go into your computer's settings and look for an option to enable HDR.

For Windows:

Right-click on your desktop and select "Display Settings". If you have multiple displays, choose the HDR-capable display at the top. Under "Display Capabilities", check if it says Yes next to "Use HDR". If you don't see this option, your monitor may not have HDR capabilities.

You can also check by pressing the "Windows logo key + R", typing "dxdiag", and selecting "OK". Then, select "Yes" at the prompt, and in the "DirectX Diagnostic Tool", look for the "Advanced Color" value in the "System Information" area. This will indicate whether your display driver and monitor support HDR10.

For MacOS:

Go to the "Apple Menu" and select "System Settings" or "System Preferences". Then, select "Displays" and choose the monitor you want to check. Ensure the "High Dynamic Range (HDR)" box is checked.

For LG Monitors:

Right-click on your desktop and select "Display Settings". Set "Use HDR" to "On".

For Gaming Monitors:

In addition to ensuring your monitor has HDR capabilities, you'll also want to make sure it can support an HDR format like HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, or HLG. Check that your monitor has the following specifications:

• Peak Brightness: 400 cd/m² or higher
• Black Levels (Pixel Pitch): 0.40 mm or lower
• Color Depth: 10-bit (8+2-bit)
• Color Space: 90% DCI-P3 coverage or greater
• Backlight Local Dimming

Frequently asked questions