What are HDR TVs?
What is HDR? And when it comes to HDR, HDR10, and HDR10+, what do these different acronyms mean? Let's delve into the details behind these terms and explore the transformative benefits of HDR meaning and technology.
What does HDR mean on a TV?
HDR (High Dynamic Range) improves the contrast between very dark and very light colors on a TV screen. HDR technology means you can see everything happening on screen the way it was intended, with true-to-life colors, shadows and detail – giving the ultimate TV viewing experience.
In daily life, your eye is able to perceive more detail, color and a wider range of light than what typical televisions can offer, but with HDR technology the eye is served a much more accurate representation of reality. Now you can see what’s lurking in the shadows of a horror movie or witness the true beauty of a sun-filled scene in pin-sharp clarity.
What is HDR10?
HDR10 is the original and most common variation of HDR that you might come across. If manufacturers want to associate this term with a TV, it means that the TV must reach a certain standard based on color subsampling, bit depth and other factors. To put it simply, the TV has to produce a certain standard of picture quality and this is measured against a variety of criteria.*
What is HDR10+?
Samsung pioneered HDR10+ technology, setting a new standard for HDR. HDR10+ is widely used across Samsung TV ranges and serves up a glorious viewing experience. While HDR10 sends advanced picture data to the TV when the content loads, HDR10+ improves on this technology by sending updated instructions scene-by-scene, resulting in more detailed highlights and a better overall picture.
How is HDR different than resolution? And is HDR better than 4K?
Full HD and 4K are types of resolutions, whereas HDR is a feature that enhances picture by improving highlights.
HDR technology improves the colors and contrast on the TV screen which, depending on the scene, can provide a more impactful TV viewing experience. Conversely, 4K delivers a sharper, more detailed image which looks more true-to-life than Full HD.
The great news is that 4K and 8K TVs are often HDR compatible, so you can enjoy the color and contrast of HDR with the quantity of UHD, providing a breathtaking viewing experience. Additionally, 2023 Samsung TVs support Auto HDR Remastering, upgrading standard content into dazzling HDR.
Want to learn more about 4K TVs and 4K resolution? Visit our helpful article on 4K TVs.
What is the difference between HDR vs non-HDR TVs?
HDR displays can show a larger color depth and more dynamic range than non-HDR displays. So essentially, HDR lets you see details in the dark shadows and highlights in one scene. With standard dynamic range (SDR), either one is usually blown out or crushed, so you cannot see the detail in them.
Is HDR good for gaming?
Due to HDR’s ability to create high contrast between light and dark areas on screen, HDR technology is perfect for gaming.* Particularly for gamers who enjoy playing first-person shooter, exploration or high intensity games on a console or PC.
Discover Samsung’s range of Gaming TVs or learn more about how to pick the best gaming TV for you.
How to choose an HDR TV?
If you want to experience your favorite films and shows with life-like accuracy and color depth, then looking out for a TV that has HDR10+ capability is a great place to start when choosing your next TV, as is visiting the Samsung TV Buying Guide.
Of course, there’s much more to consider such as the design and size of the TV to suit your home. High quality sound will also ensure you’re getting the best home cinema experience available, consider features such as 3D Object Tracking Sound+"(OTS+) or simply add a Samsung Soundbar to take things to the next level.†
What is the best HDR TV?
Now we know how HDR works and everything it does to deliver startling picture quality, this ground-breaking technology can be considered alongside other features so that you can find the best TV that is HDR capable. Whether you’re interested in the innovative features found across the Samsung Lifestyle TV Ranges, or maybe you’d prefer an awesome 8K giant such as the Samsung Neo QLED 8K TV, finding the best HDR TV is no problem. Learn more about 8K TV and 8K resolution.
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*HDR TV playback requires HDR content from a compatible signal source.
†Soundbar sold separately.