To help explain the benefits of the UltraHD format, the HDR10+ organization has introduced a new educational white paper, dubbed HDR10+: Understanding the Ecosystem. The following snippets are a selection of topics that are discussed within the white paper.
The Background on UltraHD
The industry organization HDR10+ points out in today’s digital age, the choice of consumer displays and projectors has never been better and possibly more confusing.
The consortium points out that new device technologies and distribution platforms are jostling for attention at the same time that video content itself is undergoing a transformation called Ultra High Definition (UltraHD).
UltraHD (4K) provides the professional and consumer markets with a new benchmark for high-quality video, and the industry organization states the format provides several advancements that include:
• 4K and 8K resolution are delivering much greater picture detail than ever before.
• Wide Color Gamut enables content creators to produce and viewers to experience a greater range of hues for more vibrant images.
• High Frame Rates present fast-moving sports and action with unprecedented smoothness
• High Dynamic Range (HDR) delivers greater impact via darker “darks” and brighter “brights” along with more nuanced gradations for better delineation of on-screen shapes.
HDR10+ notes the global standards-setting body, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), established this next-generation technology via two landmark standards: ITU R-BT.2020 for Ultra HD and ITU R-BT.2100 for High Dynamic Range.
The Criticality of HDR
HDR10+ points out although all of the technical advances under the Ultra HD umbrella are important, HDR is critical. While production professionals and A/V enthusiast publications understand the significance of HDR, it has not achieved awareness on par with its contributions to image quality. With nearly a half dozen formats seeking attention, HDR10 has become the standard format for many manufacturers and content providers. HDR10+ asserts that it builds upon HDR10 for even higher performance across a wide range of applications.
After decades of Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) television, HDR represents the next generation of video performance. Consumers, if they’re aware of HDR at all HDR10+ suggests, typically associate this technology with “brighter” pictures, which are measured in units called “nits.” While brightness is a major aspect of HDR—it is only one part of the story the consortium stresses. HDR it explains is really about the entire dark-to-light range of tonal values, what cinematographers call “grayscale.” HDR the trade group says, enables homeowners to see the entire grayscale—not just the highlights—but all the shadows and all the subtle gradations in between.
The HDR10+ consortium goes on to emphasize that better picture quality in consumer displays is just half of the story. To the creative community, HDR fosters more creative visual storytelling through a greater range of expression. Careful control of grayscale’s light and shadow helps to establish mood, convey realistic skin tones and identify what to look for in a scene. Grayscale is so important according to HDR10+, that for each individual scene, movie crews typically set up a unique configuration of lights, reflectors and diffusers to achieve the right effect. Moreover, the director and cinematographer will continue to dial in grayscale values during postproduction, via color correction and mastering.
By expanding and refining the grayscale, HDR dramatically improves movies, TV programs, and video games to help transform the viewing experience, making it more involving, dynamic, and closer to the creative intent.
Where to Read the Full White Paper
To download the HDR10+ white paper, HDR10+: Understanding the Ecosystem, click the link.
