What is HDR ? and HDR10,HDR400,HDR1000

HDR stands for "High Dynamic Range Imaging," a display technology that enhances the dynamic range of an image. This results in richer brightness ( ), contrast, and color, along with sharper details.

Advantages of HDR Displays

Compared to traditional Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) , HDR displays showcase greater light and shadow detail, creating more lifelike visuals. This delivers a more immersive experience across various scenarios:

Gaming Experience

For AAA game enthusiasts or PS5/XSX console gamers, HDR displays deliver vividly lifelike visuals that elevate gameplay immersion. HDR technology provides heightened brightness and contrast, resulting in more intricate graphics, richer colors, and more authentic environments.

Movie-Watching Experience

For HD movie or video enthusiasts, HDR displays elevate viewing enjoyment. HDR technology makes film visuals more vivid and intricate, revealing greater light-dark detail to immerse you deeper into cinematic worlds.

Professional Design and Creation

Professionals editing HDR films or photography require HDR screens. HDR technology provides a wider color gamut and higher contrast, enabling more precise editing and adjustment of color and detail in your work.

Quick Guide to HDR Technology for Beginners

HDR Technology Grading

The Display HDR certification standard was first introduced by VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) in December 2017. The initial version, CTS 1.0 (DisplayHDR 1.0), targeted LCD displays and defined three tiers: DisplayHDR 400, DisplayHDR 600, and DisplayHDR 1000.

VESA categorizes displays based on brightness, color gamut, color depth, dimming type, and maximum black level, naming tiers according to peak brightness.

Monitors supporting HDR technology typically display specifications such as: HDR10 , HDR400 , HDR600 , HDR1000 .

The low-barrier HDR10 merely indicates the display can accept HDR source input, but does not specify the quality of HDR output. It was prevalent before VESA established standards.

VESA's HDR400 SRG certification requires a peak brightness of at least 400 nits when HDR is enabled.

Native 8-bit color depth and over 95% sRGB color gamut Black level brightness below 0.4 nits. Only displays meeting these standards qualify for Display HDR400 or HDR600 certification, with peak brightness no less than 600 nits.

To qualify for HDR1000, the display must feature local dimming with 10-bit color depth and a K-level brightness below 0.1 nits for 95%+ sRGB coverage.

HDR1000 displays demand even higher specifications: peak brightness must exceed 1000 nits, with local dimming, wide color gamut, and a color depth of 10 bits, while maintaining a black level brightness below 0.65 nits.

For standard LCDs, achieving this level of brightness and minimum brightness control is extremely challenging.

HDR On/Off Comparison

After enabling HDR, overexposed areas in scenes are effectively reduced, resulting in clearer visuals.

In darker scenes, enabling HDR reveals shadow details, significantly enhancing the gaming experience.

Compared to standard images, HDR provides greater dynamic range and image detail. The corresponding display technology is SDR, or Standard Dynamic Range.

HDR more closely mimics human visual perception, simultaneously presenting richer highlights and shadow details.

How do I enable HDR on my display?

If you already own an HDR monitor, simply right-click on the desktop to access display settings, then locate and toggle the HDR switch to enable it.

How to choose an HDR monitor?

Several key factors should be considered when selecting an HDR monitor.

Brightness

Brightness levels are often considered a crucial performance metric for HDR monitors, as they directly impact image realism and visual experience. HDR Performance Under normal conditions, the HDR400 32GQ950 also has HDR1000 certification, but it only features 32-zone backlighting. The LG 32GQ950 has poor local dimming control.

Color Gamut Parameters

A quality HDR display should accurately reproduce a wide color gamut, resulting in more realistic and nuanced colors.

Contrast Ratio

High contrast enhances image clarity, producing deeper blacks and brighter whites, where VA panels demonstrate a distinct advantage.

4K Resolution

This is also crucial for HDR displays, as high-definition movies don't support 2K resolution. Of course, if you rarely watch HDR content, a 2K HDR monitor has its own use cases and advantages—like lower gaming hardware requirements and a more affordable price point.

HDR10

Not recommended. Don't even consider it. It's essentially a liability—sometimes enabling it makes the image appear washed out or grayish.

Hisense HR400 Monitor

Hisense 34G6H

Recommended Reason: Hisense's curved gaming ultra-wide monitor. 34-inch display with 3440×1440 resolution, VA panel, 165Hz refresh rate, and 1500R curvature. Features 96% DCI-P3 wide color gamut, 16.7 million colors, HDR 400, a swiveling height-adjustable stand, and FreeSync anti-tearing. Certified by TUV for low blue light emission. Recommended for competitive gamers.

United Innovation 27C1U

INNOCN's 4K design monitor. 27-inch, 4K resolution, IPS panel, Type-C reverse charging 65W. Color performance achieves 98% DCI-P3 color gamut, Delta E < 2, 10-bit color depth, HDR 400 certified. DC dimming certified by TUV, supports gravity-sensing auto-rotation between landscape and portrait modes. Apple-grade color accuracy with factory calibration, recommended for graphic designers.

HDR600 Monitor Recommendation

Entry-level HDR monitors offer lower prices, ideal for first-time users or those primarily viewing SDR content who occasionally want to experience HDR visuals.

HDR1000 and Above Monitor Recommendations

Xiaomi MiniLED Monitor

Features BOE's newly released ME270QHB-NM1 panel with superior backlight configuration and excellent light control. Currently stands as the top tier among 27-inch 2K displays. Its main drawback is less-than-stellar response time, though buyers of miniled monitors typically aren't hardcore FPS gamers.

Thunderbird U8

HVA and miniled represent the optimal pairing for miniled displays. It boasts an attractive design, and occasionally the Samsung Odyssey G7 can be found below 4K, which might warrant consideration. If not, this model offers exceptional value. Additionally, Samsung's 32-inch curved design makes it a more accessible choice for most buyers. Personally, I consider it the strongest miniled display currently available in the 27-inch category.