High dynamic range
HDR technology captures a broader spectrum of light and dark details, replicating a more realistic visual experience. Compared to standard displays and content, HDR showcase richer colors, deeper blacks, and brighter highlights with preserved details. While SDR struggle with the full range of light in a scene, HDR allows for a more natural representation. HDR content is created by combining multiple exposures, resulting in an image closer to what our eyes perceive.
Inverse tone mapping
Unfortunately, most displays we use today, like TVs, laptops, and smartphones, are SDR displays. While technology is improving, these displays can't natively showcase the entire spectrum of light information present in HDR content. But at least there is a way to potentially enhancing the visual experience for non-HDR content, this is where ITM comes into play.
Tools
- Windows Auto HDR (Built-in Windows feature)
- Special K: HDR Retrofit
- NvTrueHDR
Alternative tools
- ReShade shaders such as EndlesslyFlowering's ReShade HDR shaders
- Some of the standalone emulators comes with enhancement post-processing option for HDR such as Dolphin emulator[1][2].
- There are some shader presets for HDR displays or non-HDR but high-dim displays.
- NVIDIA RTX Video HDR: Enhancing SDR videos with AI-Powered HDR Conversion.[3]
