Modern smart TVs are jam-packed with all kinds of technology that promise to enhance our viewing experience and draw us closer to the action on screen. However, with so many features stuffed into our TVs, it can be difficult to tell which ones are actually worth using.

One of the most significant features often touted by TV experts is “HDR”. HDR is often the subject of many exciting TV discussions. But unless you’re a tech whizz, it can be difficult to tell what exactly the abbreviation refers to. What is HDR? What benefits does it really offer to you, and is it worth opting for a TV that is compatible with HDR?

In today’s article, we’re going to give you the scoop on this highly popular TV technology, so you can find out if it is worth taking notice of!

What Does HDR Do?

Put simply, HDR (High Dynamic Range) is a video signal that sends highly accurate information to a TV display. This information helps the TV to more accurately recreate highly specific colours and brightnesses, in accordance with a piece of content. Essentially, HDR helps to increase the available colours that your TV can use!

Having access to more colours and brightness helps TVs create far more realistic contrast in every single image. This means that shapes on screen will be easy to make out, and easy to follow throughout any given action. Watching films and TV shows through HDR can quite literally improve the viewing experience!

HDR TVs are able to read specialised video signals with highly specific instructions. HDR signals can help a TV to recreate truly lifelike colours and realistic contrast. They’re great for sprucing up your favourite shows and films.

But is it worth going out of your way to purchase a TV with HDR compatibility? Does it actually offer enough of an upgrade to be worth the potential price increase?

Is It Worth Buying An HDR-Compatible TV?

So far as we have seen, it’s absolutely worth upgrading to a TV with HDR support. HDR works perfectly with so many specific display types and can help to make even the most average of TVs look amazing.

QLED TVs, in particular, benefit a lot from HDR technology. QLED TVs make use of highly specialised display technology that allows them to replicate more accurate colours. As quantum dots are subjected to specific amounts of energy, they release light of a specific colour. Using HDR allows the benefits of a QLED TV to really shine at their best!

HDR is also worth making use of with specific types of content. As we explored earlier, HDR is a video signal that renders images exactly as they should look. An HDR signal is full of instructions for a TV to follow in order to display an image as intended. This means that HDR-compatible TVs are able to display films in a way that adheres to the original director’s vision. If you’re looking to recreate a true cinema experience from home, then an HDR TV would be perfect!

HDR is also great for avid gamers. The wide colour gamut and increased contrast make it much easier to keep track of moving elements on screen. If you’re a pro gamer looking to speed-run your favourite titles, then HDR could be a great help. Even if you are a casual gamer, looking to play the occasional blockbuster title, then HDR would still be perfect for you. HDR helps to make the most immersive digital worlds look and feel all the more real, drawing you much closer to the action!

Do HDR TVs Cost More?

Unfortunately, to gain access to the benefits of HDR, you’ll need to pay a little bit more. HDR-compatible TVs employ very specific display technology that is much more costly to produce.

However, the benefits of HDR technology can easily outweigh the potential costs. Being able to see your favourite characters pop out from the screen, or witness environments in all of their detail are priceless.

Though HDR TVs may cost quite a bit more, the benefits they offer more than make up for this. HDR TVs can help to make content look better than ever before.

Luckily, if you’re not quite ready to drop thousands of pounds on an HDR TV, you might benefit from a budget HDR TV. These more affordable TVs may lack a little in the resolution department but still offer you the enhanced colours and brightnesses of a fully-equipped HDR TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Worth Buying A TV With HDR Support?

Absolutely. HDR is a premium video signal that ensures your TV presents all colours accurately. It quite literally enhances the range of colours that your TV can display in a single image. As such, it’s totally worth opting for a TV that provides access to the technology. If you are a film buff or an avid binge-watcher, then HDR is essential!

Do I Need HDR Support?

No. It’s absolutely possible to enjoy content on your TV without needing to make use of any HDR technology. However, HDR technology can easily improve your film and TV-watching experience. It increases the range of brightnesses and colours that your TV can recreate, which leads to much more realistic imagery!

Is HDR Worth It Without 4K?

HDR and 4K make a very natural pairing. However, it is not essential to have a 4K or 8K TV just to enjoy HDR content. HDR video signals can be used even on standard 1080p HD TVs. HDR simply increases the colour gamut and the range of brightnesses. It has no impact whatsoever on resolution or image quality.

Is HDR Better On OLED Or QLED?

HDR looks totally fantastic on both OLED and QLED TVs. However, we do have to give a slight competitive edge to QLED TVs. These TVs are naturally equipped to replicate specific colours, thanks to their quantum dot technology. The increased range of colours from HDR will be more realistically recreated on a QLED TV.