What's the difference between HDR and SDR? Which is better? Beginner's guide

Stephenn

Member
In recent years, more and more home projectors support HDR technology. It seems that the projectors that support HDR are real projectors. So what is the specific concept of HDR and how is it different from traditional SDR? Which one is better?

The meaning of HDR
The full name of HDR is High-Dynamic Range. Compared with traditional images, HDR images provide more dynamic range and image details. HDR technology is based on the LDR (low dynamic range image) of different exposure times, by synthesizing the LDR image with the best detail corresponding to each exposure time into the final HDR image. Therefore, the images presented by HDR technology will better show the visual effects in the real environment.

The meaning of SDR
The full name of SDR is Standard-Dynamic Range. It is also a traditional film and television image standard. Before the popularization of HDR technology, the dynamic contrast of 1080P images in the past was presented through SDR technology, but its dynamics The range is much smaller than the dynamic range that the human eye can perceive.

The difference between HDR and SDR

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HDR vs SDR​

1. Picture contrast
We can compare the brightness and darkness of the picture presented by HDR and SDR through a bright forest environment picture. The comparison between the two shows that the mountains presented by the SDR image are dark, and the details of the bright parts cannot be expressed; and from HDR In the image, we can clearly see the relatively dark part of the mountains and clouds behind the forest environment, and at the same time, different brightness details can be presented according to different brightness.

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2. Video screen comparison
Each frame of a video using HDR technology has a different brightness and contrast, so as to perfectly show the details and brightness of each frame. This is not the case for video images using SDR technology. Although in theory, you can manually adjust the color saturation and contrast of each frame to achieve the same effect as HDR, but this is a theory after all. First, it is troublesome to operate, and then adjust multiple times. It is also easy to cause distortion of the picture.

3. Comparison of image details
The image using HDR technology can show more details between the light and dark of the screen. For example, to play the same image, in SDR, it is a curve connected by points with a spacing of 1 between 1 and 100; in HDR It is a curve connected between 1 and 1000 with points far less than 1. Therefore, the picture using HDR technology can naturally better express the color saturation and layering of the picture.

Which is better, HDR and SDR?
Through the comparison of the concepts and effects of HDR and SDR, you can see that HDR is better at a glance. After all, HDR technology is a product that appears after the continuous update and upgrade of image technology, and SDR can be said to be a traditional technology. No new emerging technologies.

Summary
Pay attention to whether HDR is supported when buying film and television products in the future. After all, the image displayed by HDR technology gives a better viewing experience.
 
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