HDR Video: HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG Explained

High Dynamic Range (HDR) video represents one of the most significant advancements in image quality since the transition to HD. HDR expands both the brightness range and color gamut available in video, creating more lifelike, immersive images with greater detail in highlights and shadows.

This comprehensive guide explains what HDR is, how it differs from SDR, and covers the major HDR formats—HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG—along with practical considerations for creating and delivering HDR content.

What Is HDR?

High Dynamic Range refers to video that can represent a much wider range of brightness levels than traditional Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) content. Where SDR peaks around 100 nits (candelas per square meter), HDR content can reach 1,000 to 10,000 nits, depending on the display.

The Dynamic Range Spectrum

Dynamic range describes the ratio between the darkest and brightest parts of an image that can be captured or displayed. The human eye can perceive a dynamic range of approximately 20 stops (1,000,000:1 ratio) when given time to adapt. Traditional SDR video captures only about 6-8 stops, while HDR can capture and display 13-14 stops or more.

Why HDR Matters

HDR provides several key improvements over SDR:

• Brighter highlights: Sunlight, reflections, and light sources can be displayed much brighter, appearing more realistic
• Deeper shadows with detail: Dark areas maintain visible detail instead of crushing to black
• Wider color gamut: More saturated, vivid colors—especially noticeable in blues, greens, and reds
• Greater tonal precision: Smoother gradations between tones, eliminating banding
• More lifelike images: Closer match to what the human eye sees in reality

SDR vs HDR: Key Differences

Brightness Range

Transfer Functions

SDR and HDR use different transfer functions (also called gamma curves or EOTF - Electro-Optical Transfer Function) to encode brightness values:

• SDR: Uses Rec.709 gamma (approximately gamma 2.4), designed for ~100 nit displays
• HDR PQ (Perceptual Quantizer): Used by HDR10 and Dolby Vision, designed for up to 10,000 nits
• HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma): Backwards compatible with SDR, designed for broadcast

The transfer function is critical—simply displaying HDR content as SDR will appear either washed out or extremely dark and oversaturated.

HDR Formats Explained

HDR10

HDR10 is the baseline, open standard for HDR content. It's the most widely supported HDR format across devices and platforms.

Technical specifications:

• Color space: Rec.2020
• Transfer function: PQ (ST.2084)
• Bit depth: 10-bit minimum
• Metadata: Static (same for entire video)
• Peak brightness target: 1,000-4,000 nits

Advantages:

• Open standard—no licensing fees
• Widest device support
• Supported by all major streaming platforms
• Works with any HDR-capable display

Limitations:

• Static metadata doesn't adapt per scene
• Mastering must compromise for different display capabilities
• Less optimized than dynamic metadata formats

Best for: Universal HDR delivery, YouTube, streaming platforms, UHD Blu-ray (as baseline).

HDR10+

HDR10+ adds dynamic metadata to the HDR10 foundation, allowing scene-by-scene or even frame-by-frame optimization of brightness and color mapping.

Technical specifications:

• Everything from HDR10, plus:
• Metadata: Dynamic (varies throughout video)
• Licensing: Royalty-free but requires certification

Advantages:

• Better optimization for different display capabilities
• Adapts to scene characteristics automatically
• Still royalty-free

Limitations:

• Less widely supported than HDR10
• Primarily Samsung ecosystem (though expanding)
• Not supported on Apple devices

Best for: Samsung displays, Amazon Prime Video, select Android TV devices.

Dolby Vision

Dolby Vision is Dolby's proprietary HDR format, offering the highest quality HDR experience with 12-bit color and sophisticated dynamic metadata.

Technical specifications:

• Color space: Rec.2020 (or wider)
• Transfer function: PQ (ST.2084) with Dolby's enhancements
• Bit depth: 12-bit (can fall back to 10-bit)
• Metadata: Dynamic, scene-by-scene
• Peak brightness target: Up to 10,000 nits

Advantages:

• Highest quality HDR currently available
• 12-bit color depth provides smoother gradients
• Sophisticated dynamic metadata optimizes for each display
• Extensive ecosystem support (LG, Sony, Apple, many streaming services)
• Can include SDR backward-compatible version in same file

Limitations:

• Proprietary—requires licensing fees
• More expensive to produce and certify
• Requires Dolby Vision capable displays
• Processing is more complex

Best for: Premium streaming content (Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+), theatrical DCP, high-end production.

HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma)

HLG is a broadcast-focused HDR standard developed by BBC and NHK. Its key feature is backwards compatibility with SDR displays.

Technical specifications:

• Color space: Rec.2020
• Transfer function: Hybrid Log-Gamma
• Bit depth: 10-bit
• Metadata: Optional, minimal
• Peak brightness: ~1,000 nits

Unique feature: Backwards compatibility

HLG content can be displayed on SDR screens without additional processing. The image will appear darker than HDR, but still viewable. This makes HLG ideal for broadcast where viewers may have mixed SDR/HDR equipment.

Advantages:

• Backwards compatible with SDR
• No metadata required—simpler workflow
• Royalty-free
• Lower bandwidth than PQ-based formats
• Ideal for live broadcasting

Limitations:

• Less precise control than PQ-based formats
• Lower peak brightness capability
• Less common in streaming (more broadcast-focused)

Best for: Live broadcast, sports, BBC iPlayer, NHK content, situations requiring SDR compatibility.

Display Requirements for HDR

Not all "HDR-capable" displays provide the same experience. Understanding display specifications helps set appropriate expectations.

Key Display Specifications

Peak Brightness:

• Entry-level HDR: 400-600 nits
• Good HDR: 800-1,000 nits
• Excellent HDR: 1,500+ nits
• Reference HDR: 4,000+ nits (professional monitors)

Black Level:

• OLED: Perfect blacks (~0.0005 nits), infinite contrast
• High-end LCD: <0.05 nits with local dimming
• Standard LCD: 0.1-0.3 nits

Color Gamut Coverage:

• Baseline: 90%+ of DCI-P3
• Good: 95%+ of DCI-P3
• Wide gamut: 75%+ of Rec.2020

Certifications:

• VESA DisplayHDR 400/600/1000/1400: PC monitor certifications
• Ultra HD Premium: 1,000 nits or 0.05 nits blacks + 90% DCI-P3
• Dolby Vision IQ: Dolby's certification for TVs

Consumer Display Reality

Most consumer HDR TVs peak at 600-1,200 nits, cover 85-95% of DCI-P3, and achieve 60-75% of Rec.2020. This is sufficient for excellent HDR viewing experiences, though short of the Rec.2020 / 10,000 nit specification.

Content is typically mastered for 1,000 or 4,000 nit displays, and display tone mapping adjusts to the actual TV's capabilities.

Creating HDR Content

Capture Requirements

To create HDR content, you need to capture sufficient dynamic range at the source:

• Camera: Must support log profiles or HDR recording modes (HLG, PQ)
• Bit depth: 10-bit minimum at capture (12-bit preferred)
• Dynamic range: Camera sensor should capture 12+ stops
• Color space: Wide gamut capture (S-Gamut3.Cine, V-Gamut, etc.)

Common log profiles for HDR:

• Sony S-Log3
• Canon C-Log / C-Log2 / C-Log3
• Panasonic V-Log
• ARRI Log C
• RED Log3G10

HDR Grading Workflow

1. Ingest: Import log or HDR footage
2. Color space transformation: Convert log to linear or PQ working space
3. Grade in HDR: Work on calibrated HDR reference monitor
4. Tone mapping: Create SDR version through proper tone mapping (not simple compression)
5. QC: Review on both HDR and SDR displays
6. Export: Separate HDR and SDR deliverables

Tone Mapping: HDR to SDR Conversion

Converting HDR to SDR isn't simply reducing brightness. Proper tone mapping includes:

• Compressing the extended highlight range into SDR limits
• Adjusting midtones to compensate for lost highlight detail
• Adapting color saturation (HDR's wider gamut must fit into Rec.709)
• Maintaining creative intent despite technical limitations

Many professionals master HDR first, then create an SDR version through tone mapping. Others master SDR and expand to HDR (inverse tone mapping), though this provides less dramatic HDR benefits.

Software for HDR

Professional grading in HDR requires:

• DaVinci Resolve: Industry-standard color grading, full HDR support
• Final Cut Pro: Native HDR workflows, especially for HLG
• Adobe Premiere Pro: HDR support with Lumetri Color
• Baselight: High-end grading system with advanced HDR tools

Critical requirement: Calibrated HDR reference monitor (e.g., Sony BVM-HX310, Flanders Scientific XM series, ASUS ProArt, etc.).

HDR Delivery Considerations

Platform Requirements

YouTube:

• Supports HDR10 and HLG
• Requires VP9 or AV1 codec
• 10-bit color, Rec.2020 color space
• PQ or HLG transfer function

Netflix:

• HDR10 and Dolby Vision required for originals
• Specific mastering requirements (1,000 or 4,000 nit targets)
• Requires both HDR and SDR deliverables

Apple TV+:

• Dolby Vision preferred
• HDR10 as fallback
• High quality standards

Amazon Prime Video:

• HDR10 and HDR10+ supported
• Dolby Vision for premium content

Dual Delivery: HDR + SDR

Most workflows require both HDR and SDR versions:

• HDR version: For compatible displays and platforms
• SDR version: For universal compatibility

Some platforms (like Netflix) handle this automatically, while others require separate uploads. Always test SDR version independently—bad tone mapping looks worse than properly mastered SDR.

File Size Considerations

HDR content typically requires higher bitrates than equivalent SDR:

• SDR 1080p: 8 Mbps
• HDR 1080p: 10-12 Mbps
• SDR 4K: 35-45 Mbps
• HDR 4K: 50-65 Mbps

The increased bit depth (10-bit vs 8-bit) and wider color gamut require more data to maintain quality.

Common HDR Mistakes

1. Clipping Highlights

The whole point of HDR is to show detail in bright areas. Clipping highlights to maintain an SDR-like look defeats the purpose. Embrace the extended range.

2. Over-Saturating Colors

The wider color gamut tempts colorists to push saturation too far. Subtlety still matters. Skin tones especially must remain natural.

3. Not Monitoring on Proper HDR Display

Grading HDR content on an SDR display produces unusable results. Proper HDR monitoring is essential, even if it's an expensive investment.

4. Ignoring SDR Version

The SDR version still reaches many viewers. Don't treat it as an afterthought. Proper tone mapping requires attention and adjustment.

5. Inconsistent Brightness Across Scenes

HDR's extended range makes brightness inconsistencies more noticeable. Ensure scenes flow naturally without jarring jumps in overall brightness.

6. Format Confusion

Understand which HDR format your content is in and ensure it's properly tagged in metadata. Incorrectly labeled HDR will display wrong on viewers' screens.

The Future of HDR

HDR adoption continues to grow, with several trends emerging:

Expanding Device Support

HDR displays are becoming standard in mid-range and up TVs, and increasingly common in smartphones, tablets, and computer monitors.

Live Production HDR

Sports and live events are adopting HLG for simultaneous HDR/SDR broadcast. Expect more live HDR content.

Mobile HDR

Modern smartphones support HDR capture and playback. Social media platforms are gradually adding HDR support for mobile-first content.

HDR Gaming

Game consoles and PC gaming extensively support HDR. Interactive HDR rendering presents unique challenges compared to fixed media.

Standardization

While multiple HDR formats exist, the industry is consolidating around HDR10 as baseline, with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ for premium content.

Should You Create HDR Content?

Consider HDR if:

• You have the equipment to capture sufficient dynamic range
• Your target platforms support HDR delivery
• You have access to calibrated HDR monitoring
• Your content benefits from extended dynamic range (outdoor scenes, high contrast, vivid colors)
• You can deliver both HDR and SDR versions

Stick with SDR if:

• You lack HDR monitoring equipment
• Your content is primarily for web/social media without HDR support
• Your camera doesn't capture sufficient dynamic range
• Your content doesn't showcase high-contrast scenes that benefit from HDR
• The added complexity doesn't justify the benefits for your workflow

Conclusion

HDR represents a significant leap forward in video quality, offering brighter highlights, deeper shadows, wider colors, and more lifelike images. However, creating quality HDR content requires proper equipment, monitoring, and workflow.

For premium content targeting streaming services or theatrical release, HDR is increasingly expected. For general web content, YouTube, and social media, SDR remains perfectly acceptable, though HDR support is growing.

Understand your delivery targets, invest in proper monitoring if pursuing HDR seriously, and always create quality SDR versions—many viewers will still watch in SDR for years to come.

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