DisplayHDR
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I tried, failed and finally managed to set up HDR on Windows 10
You've been hearing a lot lately about high dynamic range (HDR) arriving to Windows 10 for gaming, movies and graphics. You may have also heard the rumors that there's not a lot you can do with it, it's underwhelming and can be incredibly difficult to set up. As someone who edits video and photos and enjoys both Netflix and gaming in HDR, I decided to see how much of that was actually true. After many weeks of setup and trying, I'm here to tell you that the rumors are accurate: HDR on Windows 10 still isn't ready for prime time, and if you want to give it a try, prepare for some pain and disappointment in exchange for minimal benefits.
Philips' extra-bright 4K HDR monitor is now available for $1,000
If you've been salivating at the thought of Philips' (technically, EPI's) ultra-bright HDR monitor, you can now do more than clean up the mess you've left on the floor. The Momentum 43" 4K HDR Quantum Dot Monitor is now available from Amazon and Best Buy for a cool $1,000. That's a lot to pay for a computer screen, but it's also charting new ground -- this is the first PC monitor to support the DisplayHDR 1000 spec, promising 1,000cd/m2 brightness in scenes that call for it (say, staring at a bright sky) without crushing low-light detail. EPI also touts a wide, accurate color gamut that's particularly good at tackling dark reds and greens.
Philips' huge 4K monitor is the first with super-bright HDR
DisplayHDR certification assures consumers of an excellent standard of monitor performance, but none have received the top level -- until now. Philips' 43-inch Momentum (436M6) is the first to get HDR1000 approval, guaranteeing a superb 1,000 cd/m2 brightness, deep blacks, 10-bit color depth and an HDR-compliant color gamut. To pull it off, Philips used Quantum Dot tech, much like Samsung uses on its QLED TVs and monitors. It also features Ambiglow technology that puts a halo of light on your walls and floor, matching the content on the screen.
LG's latest PC monitors bring intense HDR and ultra-wide 5K
LG was one of the first out of the gate with high-end consumer HDR monitors, and now it's ready to spread its wings a bit. It's unveiling three new displays, all of which promise more intense DisplayHDR 600-rated visuals -- that is, they can reach 600 nits of brightness while maintaining the wide dynamic range inherent to HDR. The eye-catcher of the bunch is arguably the 34WK95U, a 34-inch ultra-wide 5K (that is, 5,120 x 2,160) monitor designed for video editors and others who want side-by-side views without multiple displays. It includes a Thunderbolt 3 port that can pipe data, power and 5K 60Hz video through a lone cable.
Samsung's mega-wide gaming monitor is first to be HDR certified
Last week VESA (finally) launched an HDR standard for computer displays to tell consumers whether a pricey monitor will show games and movies the way the creators intended. Samsung has announced that its 49-inch QLED super ultra-wide monitor, the CHG90, is the first to receive the DisplayHDR 600 certification. That means it delivers enough brightness (600 cd/m2 peak and 350 cd/m2 average), contrast (3,000:1) and color accuracy (10-bits) to deliver on the HDR promise.
