What Is HDR, and What Does It Do?

Beyond Simple Resolution

While 4K resolution increases the pixel count on your screen, High Dynamic Range (HDR) improves the quality of those pixels. By widening the contrast ratio, HDR allows your TV to display true, deep blacks alongside bright, radiant highlights without losing detail. This creates an image that looks much closer to what the human eye sees in real life rather than the flat, washed-out images common in older display technologies.

Making the Most of HDR

To experience HDR, both your content source and your display device must support the same format, such as HDR10, Dolby Vision, or HLG. If your TV lacks the peak brightness required, it may struggle to show the full benefit of these formats. When shopping, look for TVs with high local-dimming capabilities to ensure that those bright lights stay sharp and defined against dark backgrounds. It is arguably a more impactful upgrade for your viewing experience than simply moving to a higher resolution.