HDR is a tech buzzword. Like “AI” and “X% faster,” it’s a term we often hear about in every product, but most companies don’t bother explaining why it’s important.
However, HDR is different because you probably care about having it, even if you don’t fully understand what it means beyond “content looks better.” Android 15 has introduced tools for developers that can enhance the visual quality of content, provided that the app developer takes the effort to utilize them.
One particular feature highlighted in the release notes is the ability to control the HDR headroom for screens displaying both HDR and SDR content. This ensures that SDR content doesn’t appear washed-out when viewed alongside HDR content.
While Google’s explanation may suffice for some, a more in-depth understanding is necessary for others. Let’s delve into the differences between HDR and SDR.
The “DR” in HDR and SDR stands for dynamic range, with HDR having high dynamic range and SDR having standard dynamic range. Dynamic range refers to the range of brightness levels displayed on a screen, with content outside this range not being accurately represented in terms of color and contrast.
For instance, if you take a picture of a sunset and compare it to what you see with your eyes, you may notice that certain details and colors are not accurately captured in the photograph due to the limitations of dynamic range.
To illustrate with numbers, an SDR display may have a dynamic range of around 6 stops, while an HDR display could have a dynamic range of about 17.6 stops. The key takeaway is that HDR displays can showcase a wider range of colors compared to SDR displays.
This difference in dynamic range translates into more vibrant and accurate colors. With an HDR display, you can perceive a broader spectrum of bright and dark colors, whereas an SDR display may struggle to distinguish between various shades.
Ultimately, having a good HDR display is essential across devices like phones, TVs, and computers to ensure that colors and brightness are displayed accurately.
When you cross the streams
Challenges arise when displaying SDR content on a display calibrated for HDR data.
SDR content lacks the color and contrast information outside its dynamic range, which is not an issue when viewed as SDR content. However, when the display is expecting HDR content with a broader range of data, the discrepancy leads to a loss of information.
Your device typically auto-adjusts to display both SDR and HDR content appropriately. However, certain scenarios, such as displaying both types simultaneously in apps like social media or galleries, can result in washed-out SDR content.
While this may seem like a minor inconvenience for most users, content creators and professionals require accurate representation of their work. With Android 15, developers can now implement features to prevent SDR content from being washed out while allowing HDR content to shine through.
These refinements in each Android version aim to enhance the overall user experience by addressing nuances like HDR and SDR content optimization.
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