We recently read about HDR on the IBC website, which looked at its importance in the broadcasting environment, and at the difference it can make to the industry and to consumers.

What is HDR?

HDR is the accepted abbreviation for High Dynamic Range, and refers to the recreation of images as close to how the human eye perceives them in terms of colour and brightness. HDR gives a greater depth to black, and higher brightness to other colours.

According to the IBC article, HDR gives a wider range to a colour palette, increasing picture quality with a bit depth increase from 8-bit colour to 10-bit – 16 million colours to more than a billion.

In addition, there are two further elements to HDR:

Wide Colour Gamut (WCG)

This element delivers greater capacity for colour display, particularly reds, yellows and greens.

High Frame Rate (HFR)

This element offers a smoother viewing experience and is most noticeable during fast motion.
Together, WCG and HFR, gives greater realism for the viewer, and makes video much more lifelike, regardless of the screen size they are using. The difference between HDR and an SDR image is clear to consumers, and the improved viewing experience is leading to an acceleration of popularity.

A buzz around Apple TV with HDR support

Also, after a long wait, we have seen Apple in the news recently, and an industry buzz has been created around the release of its 4K Apple TV with HDR support, to coincide with the rumoured launch of the latest iPhone 8 and upgraded Apple Watches.

Apple, as we have now grown accustomed to, don’t give much away in advance of its launch of new tech, but we do know that HDR support will be included in addition to 4K video in the latest products. This is welcome news, as the industry has speculated on its declined uptake of the Apple TV over the past twelve months or more.

Parks Associates completed a research report and noted that just 15% of streaming devices in the US domestic market is made up of Apple TV. No pricing information has been released so far, but an industry event on 12 September should give a little more clarity.