With Windows HD Color in Windows 11, you get the most of out your high dynamic range (HDR) TV or PC display.
HDR content offers better brightness and color capabilities compared to traditional content (sometimes called standard dynamic range [SDR] content). Traditional content typically shows details in a bright part of a scene or a darker part of a scene but not in both parts at the same time. For example, if the shot focuses on a bright window in the scene, details in the shadow are lost.
Whereas HDR can show a wider range of colors and light and more details in between the extremes. Colors are more vivid and unique in HDR content. Additionally, bright parts of a scene are brighter while dark parts can be darker, and you don’t lose any details.
Display requirements for HDR video in Windows:
Built-in displays
To play streaming high dynamic range (HDR) video in Windows 11, the built-in display for your laptop, tablet, or 2-in-1 PC needs to support HDR. To find the specifications for a specific laptop or tablet, visit the device manufacturer’s website.
- The built-in display needs to have a resolution of 1080p or more, and a recommended max brightness of 300 nits or more.
- The Windows device needs to have an integrated graphics card that supports PlayReady hardware digital rights management (for protected HDR content), and it must have the required codecs installed for 10-bit video decoding. Devices using modern processors support this capability. Common codecs required for this include HEVC, AV1, and VP9, which can be obtained from the Microsoft Store: HEVC Video Extensions, VP9 Video Extensions, AV1 Video Extension.
External displays
To play streaming high dynamic range (HDR) video in Windows 11, your external display and Windows 11 PC need to support HDR. To find the specifications for a specific PC or external display, visit the device manufacturer’s website. Here are the requirements:
- The HDR display or TV must support HDR10, and DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.0 or higher. We recommend displays that are DisplayHDR certified.
- The Windows device needs to have a graphics card that supports PlayReady digital rights management (for protected HDR content), and it must have the required codecs installed for 10-bit video decoding. Devices using modern processors support this capability. Common codecs required for this include HEVC, AV1, and VP9 codecs, which can be obtained from the Microsoft Store: HEVC Video Extensions, VP9 Video Extensions, AV1 Video Extension.
- It is recommended to have the latest graphics drivers (WDDM) installed on your Windows PC.
See also:
- What is Windows HD Color? | Microsoft Support
- Display requirements for HDR video in Windows | Microsoft Support
- Guide on how to get the most out of your HDR display | Microsoft DirectX Developer Blog
- Windows 2021 HDR getting started guide | Microsoft DirectX Developer Blog
Here's How:
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Display on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on Use HDR or HDR on the right side. (see screenshots below)
4 If you have multiple displays connected to your PC, choose the HDR-capable display you want in the Select a display to view or change its settings drop menu. (see screenshots below)
5 Look under Display capabilities to see if Play streaming HDR video and Use HDR are "Supported" or "Not supported" by your display. (see screenshots below)
If Use HDR is supported, the display supports HDR10.
If Use HDR is not supported, the display is missing one or more requirements for HDR10.
If Play streaming HDR video is supported, the display can play streaming HDR video when available.
6 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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