HDR Explained
HDR (High Dynamic Range) widens the brightness and color range of video beyond standard SDR, for brighter highlights, deeper shadows, and richer color. The main formats are HDR10 (open baseline, static metadata), HDR10+ (dynamic metadata, royalty-free), Dolby Vision (dynamic metadata, licensed, up to 12-bit), and HLG (for broadcast). HDR needs a capable display, HDR content, and a cable with enough bandwidth — there is no special “HDR cable.”
HDR is about dynamic range and color, not resolution — you can have HDR at 1080p or 8K. It depends on the whole chain supporting it: the source, the display, and a connection with enough bandwidth for your resolution and refresh rate.
HDR formats compared
| Format | Metadata | Color depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDR10 | Static (per title) | 10-bit | Open baseline; supported almost everywhere |
| HDR10+ | Dynamic (per scene/frame) | 10-bit | Royalty-free; Samsung-led |
| Dolby Vision | Dynamic (per scene/frame) | up to 12-bit | Licensed/proprietary; widely used in streaming |
| HLG | None (gamma-based) | 10-bit | Designed for live TV broadcast |
What you need for HDR
- Display that supports the HDR format (an HDR10 TV may not support Dolby Vision, and vice-versa).
- Content mastered in HDR (streaming title, disc, or game).
- Interface version: HDMI added HDR in 2.0a (static) and dynamic HDR in 2.1; DisplayPort supports HDR from 1.4.
- Enough cable bandwidth for the resolution — e.g. a Premium High Speed HDMI cable for 4K60 HDR.
HDR and high refresh rate both eat bandwidth, which is why cable grade matters — see HDMI cable types and Variable Refresh Rate.
HDR: frequently asked questions
What is HDR?
HDR (High Dynamic Range) expands the range of brightness and color a display shows compared with standard SDR video — brighter highlights, deeper shadows, and more vivid color. You need an HDR-capable display, HDR content, and a connection with enough bandwidth to carry it.
What is the difference between HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG?
HDR10 is the open baseline — static metadata, 10-bit color. HDR10+ adds dynamic, scene-by-scene metadata and is royalty-free. Dolby Vision also uses dynamic metadata with up to 12-bit color but is a licensed, proprietary format. HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) is built for live broadcast and needs no metadata.
Do I need a special cable for HDR?
There is no separate “HDR cable.” HDR just needs enough bandwidth, so the cable must support your resolution and refresh rate. For 4K HDR at 60 Hz use a Premium High Speed HDMI cable; for 4K120 HDR use Ultra High Speed. The cable carries HDR automatically once it has the bandwidth.
Which HDMI or DisplayPort version supports HDR?
HDMI added HDR (static metadata) in version 2.0a and dynamic HDR in 2.1. DisplayPort supports HDR from version 1.4. As long as the source, display, and cable all meet the version and bandwidth for your resolution, HDR will work.
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