HDR10 uses static metadata, meaning a single brightness value for the entire video. HDR10+ adjusts these values dynamically per scene or frame, resulting in more precise rendering, especially in scenes with varying lighting conditions.
Display
HDR10+: Definition & explanation
In a nutshell
HDR10+ is an open HDR standard that uses dynamic metadata per scene or frame instead of fixed values for the whole video. This enables more precise brightness and contrast adjustments throughout playback.
How does HDR10+ work?
HDR10+ extends the baseline HDR10 standard with dynamic metadata. While HDR10 sets a single brightness and color value for an entire video, HDR10+ adjusts these values scene by scene or even frame by frame. The display continuously receives instructions on how to optimally render brightness, contrast, and color temperature depending on the current scene. Developed by Samsung and Amazon, HDR10+ serves as a royalty-free alternative to Dolby Vision, which offers similar technology but requires licensing fees. On smartphones, HDR10+ makes streaming content from services like Amazon Prime Video or certain YouTube videos appear more detailed and contrast-rich, especially in very dark or bright scenes. This requires a display that supports HDR10+ and delivers sufficient peak brightness to actually reproduce the extended dynamic range. Without matching hardware, the effect remains limited, since the metadata exists but the panel can't fully utilize it. HDR10+ competes directly with Dolby Vision, and many flagship smartphones now support both formats in parallel.
Advantages of HDR10+
- Royalty-free, widely adopted
- Scene-accurate brightness and contrast tuning
- Better detail in dark and bright areas
- Supported by major streaming services
Disadvantages of HDR10+
- Less common than Dolby Vision in film industry
- Effect heavily depends on display quality
- Not all content is available in HDR10+
- Requires sufficient peak brightness
Frequently asked questions
Technically, both formats offer similar benefits through dynamic metadata. Dolby Vision partially supports higher bit depths and is more established in the film industry, while HDR10+ is royalty-free, making it cheaper for manufacturers to integrate.
Guides with HDR10+
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