With HDR – High Dynamic Range – a new foundation for video has arrived but what defines good HDR picture quality? We have developed a score model that can rank HDR TVs based on measurements and objective values. The list will automatically update every time we publish a new review.
HDR: Scores & measurements
Our model outputs a total HDR score based on parameters that we measure during reviews as well as some objective values such as display technology and the level of luminance control. We have since early 2016 examined HDR TVs to determine what defines good HDR picture quality, and we have based the score model on our leanings; what we have seen, experienced, and measured.
HDR TVs on the list have been in-depth tested by FlatpanelsHD. We do not include TVs that we haven’t reviewed.
Sorting & filters Sorting: You can sort columns by clicking on the title. Filters: You can filter columns by inputting values in the text area below the column title (not shown on smartphone in vertical orientation). Note that it per default filters on exact values, but you can use ’>’ (larger than) and ’<’ (smaller than) followed by a number. Example: To see all TVs with HDR score of 75% and above you can enter ’>=75’.
HDR score The total score is calculated based on parameters, which we believe, define good HDR picture quality.
The score is weighted as such: 30% luminance control (from pixel-level to zero zone control), 20% DCI-P3 (with 100% coverage as the reference), 20% Rec.2020 (with 100% coverage as the reference), 15% peak brightness (with 4000 nits as the reference – for now), 15% black level (with a factor x1.8 and 0.00 nits reference).
The theoretical max score is 100%, which requires a perfect score on all parameters. No TV can achieve 100% yet so it is a goal to strive for. The reference for peak brightness will most likely later be increased from 4000 nits to 10000 nits, but not until the industry at large starts mastering for 10000 nits. At the moment, HDR format support is not included in the HDR score.
Luminance control: Defines how accurate luminance (and therefore colors) can be controlled on the TV display, ranging from pixel-level accurate controls to zone controls, and so on. Example: To reproduce a dark night sky full of sparkling stars pixel-level luminance control is required.
DCI-P3: A color space developed for cinema that covers approximately 50% of the colors visible to the human eye.
Rec.2020: A color space developed as a goal post for HDR. It covers approximately75% of the colors visible to the human eye.
Peak brightness: We have included measurements of both the theoretical and actual value for peak brightness. The reason why there can be a quite significant difference between the two has to do the given TV’s level of luminance control. Oftentimes you see HDR peak brightness measured on test patterns that in no way represent actual video content. We measure the actual peak brightness on an ANSI pattern (chessboard pattern) because it better represents what you see when watching movies etc.
Black level: Defines the actual black levels in HDR mode, again measured on an ANSI pattern (chessboard pattern).
Flip your phone to landscape to see more columns and filter options in the HDR table below.
