HDR Explained
What is HDR?
You've probably seen HDR advertised on TVs, streaming services, and games consoles — but it's often bundled in with 4K in a way that makes it easy to assume they're the same thing. They're not, and understanding the difference actually matters for what you buy.
The short answer
HDR (High Dynamic Range) is a technology that increases the contrast between the brightest and darkest parts of an image, producing more realistic colour and detail than standard video. It's separate from resolution (like 4K) — a screen or content source can be one without the other, though they're often paired together in modern devices.
Is HDR the same as 4K?
No. 4K refers to resolution — the number of pixels on screen. HDR refers to contrast and colour accuracy — how vivid and lifelike the image looks. They're commonly sold together because both became mainstream around the same time, and premium content (like a lot of Netflix, Disney+, and Blu-ray releases) is often available in 4K HDR — but you can have 4K without HDR, or HDR at lower resolutions.
What do I need for HDR at home?
- A TV or display that supports HDR — not all 4K TVs support it
- A source device that outputs HDR — a games console, Blu-ray player, or streaming box that supports the relevant format
- High Speed HDMI cables rated to handle HDR's bandwidth requirements
- HDR support on any devices in between — extenders, splitters, or switches sitting between your source and display also need to support HDR, or the signal will drop back to standard dynamic range
The different HDR formats
There are several HDR formats in use, and not every device or content source supports all of them:
| Format | Metadata Type | Common Sources |
|---|---|---|
| HDR10 | Static (set once, whole title) | Most HDR content, Blu-ray, Netflix, Prime Video |
| HDR10+ | Dynamic (scene-by-scene) | Amazon Video, select Blu-rays, Samsung TVs |
| Dolby Vision | Dynamic (scene-by-scene), licensed | Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, many LG/Sony TVs |
| HLG | Broadcast-friendly, backward compatible with SDR | Live broadcast, YouTube |
HDR10 remains the baseline and most widely supported format. HDR10+ and Dolby Vision both use dynamic metadata to adjust brightness and colour scene-by-scene rather than fixing it for the whole title, giving more accurate results in scenes with extreme brightness or darkness — Dolby Vision requires a manufacturer licence, HDR10+ doesn't. Most major streaming platforms support more than one format, so a TV rarely needs to support all of them to cover your main content sources.
HDR for gaming
HDR gaming is now standard on current-generation consoles — the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S both support HDR10, and Dolby Vision gaming is supported on Xbox Series X/S with a growing library of compatible titles. Most graphically intensive PC games also support HDR10, with Dolby Vision support increasingly available depending on GPU and display.
LINDY's recommendation
If you're setting up a home theatre or gaming display, check that every device in the chain — source, cables, any switches/extenders, and the display — explicitly supports HDR, and confirm which format(s) matter most for your content (HDR10 covers the widest base; add Dolby Vision support if you're a heavy Netflix/Disney+ viewer).
Need help building an HDR-compatible AV setup? Contact our team on 1300 888 095 or browse our HDMI cable and AV distribution range.
