Shopping for a flashy new telly? Or perhaps you already own a HDR TV? Either way, you’ve probably seen those three little letters before, but have no idea what HDR even means. Don’t worry, we’re here to help.
Over the years, the humble TV has gone through more transformations than we can count. From Full HD and super-detailed 4K UHD to OLED TVs. And now HDR is in the mix, too. But never fear, in this expert guide, we delve into the details so you can better understand the benefits of HDR technology.
What does HDR mean?
HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. And, to put it simply, it lets you see deeper colours, extra details and more shadowy shadows – perfect for seeing all the nitty gritty detail in your fave true crime doc.
It works by levelling up the two most important elements in picture quality: contrast ratio and colour accuracy.
How do you know if you have an HDR TV?
So now we’ve told you all the showstopping benefits of an HDR TV, you might be thinking to yourself, “How can I tell if my TV is an HDR one?”. Never fear, we’ve got all the helpful tips you need:
Look for the logo. This is the easiest way to confirm if your TV is HDR or not. Keep an eye out for a logo or stamp that says ‘UHD Alliance’s Stamp of Approval’.
**Check your formats. **This method is effective for older and newer TVs alike. Simply go to the ‘Settings’ or ‘Menu’ on your TV and navigate to ‘Picture Mode’. From there, select the highest possible resolutions. If your TV doesn’t show an ‘HDR’ or ‘Dolby Vision’ option, it probably doesn’t have HDR.
**Compare the colour and contrast with another TV. **An HDR TV has 100 times more brightness output than a standard one. So comparing two devices will easily determine if your TV set is HDR compatible or not.
How HDR TV improves your viewing
Have you ever taken a photo and realised it looks much less impressive than what you saw in real life? That’s because your eyes are extremely powerful. They perceive more colours, more detail and a wider range of light than almost all cameras – and TVs, too. Or, at least before HDR came along.
With HDR TV, what you see on screen is much more accurate to what you see in reality – and will look just as the director intended. Because of HDR’s broad range of dynamic colours and razor-sharp clarity, the big football match is brought to life, and you can see every gruesome detail in your favourite horror flick. Because who doesn’t want to see what’s lurking behind the shadows?
Bright and bold
HDR TVs allow you to see more than standard TVs. And they offer millions more colours. The reds are bolder, greens are stronger, and blues are deeper. What’s more, contrasting colours have become much more vivid. Meaning you can appreciate every small detail, from a single blade of grass to every strand of hair.
Brighter whites and deeper blacks
It’s not just colours, though. Because HDR has a broader spectrum of shades compared to regular tellies, you end up seeing brighter whites and darker blacks, too – as opposed to the dull greys and off-whites that come with standard TVs.
This is enhanced by powerful backlight and sophisticated dimming technology to create a brighter picture that adds depth to every scene. Watching the latest superhero movie and noticed a halo around the dark areas of the screen? This smart dimming technology works to reduce that – giving you picture perfect quality every time.
The best TVs for HDR
QLED and OLED TVs offer jaw-dropping watching that’s true-to-life and totally realistic. They make the most of HDR by combining incredibly bright screens with rich colour and contrast. And the Samsung Neo QLED TV does it superbly well. It offers the ultimate contrast, flawless colour, and superb sound.
Looking for sharp detail and impactful highlights? The Sony Bravia XR OLED TV is powered by the Cognitive Processor XR and a Rich Colour Enhancer – this brings out neutral and mid-range colours, so content looks more natural and real.
With the LG OLED Smart TV you’re able to see true-to-life colours and incredible detail. Plus, it’s easy on the eyes thanks to flicker-free tech and low blue light levels.
Unsure which HDR TV is best for you? Our TV buying guide will help you narrow down your options. Looking for some additional advice? Thanks to our ShopLive service, you can jump on a video call and chat with one of our tech experts – it couldn’t be simpler.
