TV manufacturers are constantly improving picture quality. Therefore, new standards are regularly announced. HDR support on TV: what is it? New TV models are produced with this standard. What are its distinctive features? Does it make sense to buy such a TV? To answer these questions, let's take a closer look at what HDR is. Let's analyze the main differences between this standard in the photo and on the TV screen.
What is HDR on TV
Contrast and the ratio of bright and dark areas are criteria that determine image quality. Color rendition is no less important; in many ways it determines the realism of the picture broadcast on the TV screen. The level of comfort while watching films, TV series, and programs will depend on the listed parameters.
Imagine that one TV has a rich color palette and excellent contrast, and the second has high resolution. Which image do you think you will find more attractive? Of course, the first one. A contrasting model can ensure a natural picture. It doesn’t matter which manufacturers’ equipment is being compared: Samsung, LG, Phillips or Sony.
Screen resolution is an important indicator, but contrast completely eliminates it. Because it is the contrast that determines how realistic the broadcast image will be. Therefore, experts emphasize that natural contrast combined with competent color reproduction is much more important than the presence of support for 4K resolution.
The idea behind HDR technology is to expand the contrast and color palette. Bright areas will look more natural on an HDR-enabled TV than on a regular device. The image looks deeper and more natural. Deep shades of red, green and blue allow for a significant expansion of color.
The introduction of HDR dynamic range technology contributed to the creation of a new color palette standard - Rec. 2020. Its peculiarity is manifested in shades that ordinary TVs simply cannot reproduce. The most striking example is the signature red color of the famous automobile brand Ferrari. It is possible that before you simply did not pay attention to such minor nuances. However, older TVs are not capable of transmitting such intense shades. In reality, these colors look completely different.
Each user will be able to see millions of new, complex colors that have become the basis of the HDR format. Note that the technology under consideration is based on the use of 10-bit color display.
To fully appreciate the benefits of the HDR standard, you need to have a TV that supports this technology and the corresponding content. In order to provide high dynamic range, HDR technology uses advanced backlighting. Brightness adjustment is carried out in different areas of the screen. This approach allows you to achieve maximum peaks in those areas where it is really necessary. The most striking example is the part of the frame in which the sun is shining. The brightness reserve significantly exceeds this parameter of conventional TVs. HDR TVs are up to 1500 nits, while regular devices are 400 nits.
The improved color palette suggests that innovative technologies will be used at the hardware level. For example, quantum dot lighting. Until recently, TVs with such backlighting literally “invented” the shades, which was not good for viewing. Now directors have the opportunity to choose the optimal color to make the scene as deep as possible.
The implementation of the HDR standard was achieved by combining various complex technologies. Therefore, premium-class 4K devices demonstrate the highest quality images. They have the necessary technical characteristics.
HDR technology has several versions. Let's look at each of them. The most common is HDR10. Its peculiarity is that the channel passes up to 10 bits of content. Color palette – 1 billion shades. The stream contains data regarding changes in brightness and contrast in a particular scene. It is this feature that makes the image natural.
The HLG standard was created by a British-Japanese tandem. The BBC and NHK have managed to create an excellent standard. 10-bit encoding was retained. The changes affected the purpose of the stream. The main idea is transmission. There is no critical channel width for the standard under consideration. 20 MB is enough to ensure high-quality broadcasting without any interference.
The Dolby Vision standard is an extended brightness range that significantly exceeds the capabilities of all existing technologies. The standard was implemented by Dolby. The basic principles of HDR technology have been preserved. The changes are manifested in the expansion of the color channel – 12 bits. The color palette includes 8 billion shades. The data flow is enormous. Therefore, you can appreciate the benefits of this technology in the cinema.
Difference with HDR in photo
HDR modes in TVs and photographs have significant differences. If we talk about photos, the HDR format manifests itself in an acidic palette and unnatural contours. On television, completely different principles are used. Let's look at how HDR works on a TV screen and on a photograph to understand what the difference is.
TV support for the HDR standard means an extended dynamic range and the largest possible color palette. Together, these parameters make the image on the screen natural and realistic. Video signal parameters are not limited to standards such as HDTV, since the shooting process and studio processing capabilities have undergone significant modernization.
In photographs, HDR appears in several frames with different exposures. Based on this, a single frame is created that does not create, but simulates a wide dynamic range.
Based on this, we see that the solution to low brightness can be approached from different angles. HDR technology can be a streamlined process for maintaining natural images. The viewer will be able to see the natural quality of the picture captured on camera. The second approach is a collection of different frames to simulate a specific scene. Therefore, HDR in a photo is a lack of realism.
The HDR video stream looks natural. The viewer does not have the feeling that it was previously processed by a huge number of different filters. Naturalness is the key to success. Therefore, the image looks alive.
How to find out if your TV supports HDR technology
You don't need to make any extra effort for this. All necessary information is presented on the box and in the technical documentation. For example, if the box is marked Ultra HD Premium, then this model supports the HDR standard. If the 4K HDR inscription is present, then such a device will not support all versions of the popular standard today.
How to enable HDR on Samsung TV? No additional actions need to be taken. Just play the content in this format. If the equipment does not support this standard, then an error text will appear on the TV screen.
Let's look at several popular HDR TV models from well-known manufacturers. For example, Sony presented a new TV line - XE93. Absolutely all models in this line support the HDR standard. The screen diagonal starts at 55 inches. New models from Sony support absolutely all versions of HDR. They also have several additional benefits:
- innovative lighting Slim Backlight Drive+ with double blocks of diodes. Provides fine adjustment of the brightness of all areas of the screen;
- the X-tended Dynamic Range Pro function improves picture quality regardless of the content format;
- TRILUMINOS Display technology ensures harmonious transmission of all shades of red, blue and green, and also increases brightness;
- The X1 Extreme processor performs HDR remastering, aimed at eliminating noise and improving picture quality.
All of these innovations can significantly increase image quality. Maximum detail guaranteed. Combining HDR and 4K increases viewing angles. Even if you are in close proximity to the screen, image clarity is still maintained. The combination of innovative technologies ensures comfortable viewing regardless of the distance from the screen to the viewer.
LG also introduced a new line of HDR TVs. It was the introduction of Active HDR technology that became the main feature of the new products from the South Korean brand. Absolutely all models in the line support HDR10 and HLG formats, as well as Dolby Vision. Much depends on the content format. Sometimes it even contains static and dynamic data about the brightness level of the scene. Active HDR technology aims to optimize the video stream in accordance with a specific scene. This allows you to achieve even greater brightness and realism.
Evolution
The last few years have taken us from models with cathode ray tube screens to thin TVs. The rise of plasma panels and their fall were observed. Then came the era of high definition, full support for HD and Ultra HD. There were experiments with the popular three-dimensional format, as well as with the shape of the screen: it was made either flat or curved. And now a new round of this television evolution has arrived - TVs with HDR. It is 2021 that has become a new era in the television industry.
What you can watch in HDR
Mostly all well-known studios are actively switching to shooting content using the HDR standard. This process started back in 2015. The popularization of HDR content is in full swing. Viewers will not feel any significant problems with the lack of films and TV series made using this technology.
Old TVs were noticeably inferior to studio formats. Because of this, the color palette and depth of the image were significantly reduced. Over time, the situation changed for the better. Everyone will be able to watch films or TV series in studio format at home.
Online cinemas, led by Netflix and Amazon, were among the first to switch to HDR. Today, absolutely all content providers work with this standard. If you have an HDR TV at home, then you will be able to watch absolutely all new films, TV series, and programs in the highest quality. The catalog of available content is constantly expanding. All new products are released in HDR format.
PlayStaion 4 and Xbox One S game consoles also support HDR. Not all video games are released in this format, but the most large-scale projects will provide the opportunity to completely immerse yourself in the game. Horizon 3 Uncharted 4 has already received the necessary updates aimed at improving graphics.
The Ultra HD Blu-Ray format is another new feature. It also supports HDR by default. Movies released on this type of media can be played on an HDR TV. Owners of such equipment will fully appreciate the extended dynamic range and rich color palette. The highest quality of dark and bright areas of the screen will pleasantly surprise the viewer.
Is it worth buying a TV with HDR capabilities? There is plenty of content in this format. It has long ceased to be a rarity. Therefore, you can confidently buy an HDR TV to enjoy realistic images.
Requirements
In 2021, HDR TVs began to appear on the market en masse. Almost every 4K capable device can understand this format. But, unfortunately, understanding is one thing, but displaying it correctly is quite another.
The ideal option is a TV with an OLED matrix and 4K support, which can make any pixel as bright as possible or dim it. Models with carpet lighting made of LEDs, which individually or in groups adjust the brightness of their areas of the matrix, are also suitable.
Connecting HDR equipment
You don't need new cords to play HDR content. An HDMI High Speed cable will suffice. New TVs support this interface. Therefore, there should be no connection problems. In situations where equipment is connected using an AV receiver, you must first make sure that the tuner is equipped with an HDMI 2.0 interface. Many manufacturers have carried out large-scale interface updates. Therefore, the HDMI 2.0 connector can no longer be called a rarity. To turn on the TV, simply plug the power cord into the outlet. Then select the signal source. You can play content using special applications, such as Netflix.
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When I disconnect the resistor R from the processor 33 leg H OUT, the voltage on the collector V is equal to volts, there is no oscilloscope, there is nothing to check the horizontal pulse from the H OUT processor, what should I do, can anyone advise me? You need to find the TMS power supply first, 0.7 is not even small, but it is not there at all. I don’t see what is where, the size of the diagram is not for everyone. Are we going to repair it or let it work? The question is, why does the voltage drop on the TMS when control is applied to the V base? Is there a horizontal pulse at all? There was a conversation about the collector, but not about the base. Alexander Russia.
