What is HDR Monitor? Complete Guide to HDR & HDR10

When talking about TVs, many refer to the term HDR (High Dynamic Range). But is HDR on a monitor something you should give thought?

This post will go over what HDR stands for, how it works in panels, and if designers and games might benefit from HDR10 and additional HDR levels.

Table of Contents

What is HDR on a screen?

High Dynamic Range or HDR is a technique for increasing the range of sharpness brightness and color on a screen. With HDR dark sections of the screen retain their depth and clarity while bright parts seem very brilliant.

The picture looks more real now with more true colors and brightness. Putting HDR in a monitor can make images look more real and dark colors look richer.

HDR Monitor vs SDR Monitor

Feature	SDR (Standard Dynamic Range)	HDR (High Dynamic Range)
Brightness	Limited brightness	Higher brightness for vivid highlights
Color Accuracy	Lower color range	Wide color gamut
Contrast	Standard contrast	High contrast with deeper blacks
Realism	Decent image quality	Lifelike visuals with rich details

With SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) the range of colors and brightness is limited while HDR expands this range to bring a more vibrant viewing experience.

What is HDR Mode on Monitor?

HDR mode on a monitor is a setting that activates HDR’s improved color and contrast range. When enabled HDR mode lets you experience brighter highlights, deeper blacks and more intense colors.

Many monitors automatically switch to HDR mode when they detect HDR content while others may need you to activate it manually through the monitor settings or by using software controls.

HDR Modes Explained

There are different types of HDR with HDR10 being the most common standard. Here are the types you find on HDR monitors:

The most basic form of HDR is used in most TVs and monitors: HDR10. With 10-bit color depth and up to 1000 nits of brightness levels, HDR10 offers If you’re not sure what an HDR10 monitor is, think of it as an HDR entry point that provides an amazing viewing experience free of additional expense from more complex HDR formats.
Dolby Vision uses HDR in concert with dynamic metadata, which has been found to improve visual clarity and brightness throughout one scene to the next. Remember Dolby Vision does not work on monitors; it is only suitable on TVs.
HDR10+ improves the HDR10 format with dynamic information, same as Dolby Vision. It has started to show up on several upscale shows offering a better HDR experience.
Television programming makes maximum use of HLG, or hybrid log-gamma. Though it is not a common occurrence on displays, certain models that allow HDR for video production may show it.

What is HDR10 Monitor?

What is an HDR10 monitor?

An HDR10 monitor is a display that supports the commonly used HDR standard. HDR10 has 10-bit color depth and can attain brightness levels of up to 1,000 nits making it appropriate for most HDR material particularly on a budget. Read our information on LG vs. Samsung Monitors.

It doesn’t adjust frame-by-frame but it still significantly enhances the viewing experience for HDR-enabled movies and games.

What is HDR Gaming Monitor?

An HDR gaming monitor is designed specifically for gamers who want enhanced visuals in their games. Games that support HDR look more immersive with brighter explosions realistic lighting and more accurate colors. But not all HDR monitors are ideal for gaming some have slower response times which can be a downside for fast paced games.

The best HDR gaming monitors often include HDR10 or HDR10+ and are paired with high refresh rates and low response times for smooth responsive gameplay.

Pros and Cons of HDR for Gaming

Pros

• Improved visuals and color depth.

• Enhanced realism in HDR games.

• Great for immersive gaming.

Cons

• Higher cost.

• Requires HDR-compatible GPU.

• Variable performance.

HDR Brightness and Color: Why It Matters

Brightness is one of the biggest factors that affect HDR quality. Monitors with lower brightness levels struggle to show HDR as intended which can make HDR images look washed out. Ideally a true HDR monitor should support brightness of at least 400 nits with 600 or more nits being preferable for the best HDR experience.

Coupled with color depth and contrast ratios higher brightness levels in HDR create a more lifelike and engaging visual experience. Read our guide to What is ASCR?.

Is HDR on Monitor Worth It?

Whether HDR is worth it depends on your primary use case. Here are some scenarios to help determine if HDR will benefit you:

Gaming: HDR is well worth it for high-end setups particularly for games like “Cyberpunk 2077” or “Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey.” Realistic lighting and depth in dark environments are two elements HDR gaming panels highlight that regular monitors could overlook.
Creative Work: For content creators working in photo or video editing, HDR is a game-changer. An HDR-capable monitor can show accurate vivid colors and lighting effects making it easier to edit images or footage in HDR.
Everyday Use: If you’re mostly browsing the web working on documents or watching casual content HDR won’t make a huge difference. However if you frequently stream HDR movies or play games HDR could add an extra layer of immersion.

Comparison of HDR Monitors vs. Non-HDR Monitors

Feature	HDR Monitor	Non-HDR Monitor
Color Range	Wide color gamut	Standard color range
Brightness	400-1000 nits (or more)	Typically under 300 nits
Contrast	High contrast, deeper blacks	Lower contrast
Visual Realism	Enhanced detail in bright and dark scenes	Decent visuals but less depth

Conclusion

HDR has revolutionized visual technology making monitors more immersive than ever. From HDR10 to HDR gaming monitors there’s an HDR solution for every type of user whether you’re looking for vibrant gaming experiences professional color accuracy or just crisper visuals.

When deciding whether an HDR monitor is worth it consider your budget your hardware and the kind of content you consume most often.

Check out our article on Top 5 Curved Gaming Monitors for more insights!

If you want that next level of immersion especially for games and creative work an HDR monitor can be a fantastic investment.

FAQs

What is HDR mode on a monitor?

HDR mode is a feature that enables HDR improved color and contrast for a lifelike image. Many monitors can automatically switch to HDR mode when HDR content is detected.

What is HDR10 on a monitor?

HDR10 is a prominent HDR standard that offers 10-bit color and great brightness. It is the most popular HDR format, and it is extensively supported by games and movies.

Do I need HDR for gaming?

If your games support HDR an HDR gaming monitor may significantly improve the experience by displaying richer colors, better contrast, and brilliant brightness. However it needs an HDR-compatible GPU.

Can I turn off HDR on my monitor?

Yes you can disable HDR in your monitor settings or through your operating system if you find it too bright or distracting for certain tasks.

Are HDR monitors more expensive?

Generally yes. HDR monitors are more expensive because of the advanced display technologies they offer such as increased brightness and a broader color spectrum. However there are low-cost HDR variants available.

What is HDR on a Monitor? A Complete Guide