High Dynamic Range (HDR) is a new television feature for HD and UHD displays that allow both high peak luminance and improved black levels. HDR can resolve brighter highlights and darker blacks, which gives the image added `sparkle’ and makes a major difference to image quality. While the concept is relatively easy to understand, the technical options and the multitude of standards and abbreviations (such as BT.2020, HDR10+, HLG, PQ, ...) used in this context can be somewhat confusing.
To help its Members better understand how HDR works and what features are specified where, the EBU has published an 'Initial Guide on High Dynamic Range' (EBU BPN 114) which summarises the key concepts and technologies and includes pointers to more detailed information. The guide is expected to be updated frequently, reflecting progress in the standardisation of HDR and insights and experience gathered by broadcasters.
Sharing files
The guide is one of the EBU's activies to help its Members provide cutting-edge image quality to audiences. Another recent activity is the start of a file exchange to help validate the correctness of the metadata used in HDR files. EBU Members can join the EBU Video Systems group to participate in the exchange and the other video-related activities.