What is HDR Video? (HDR version) - Video Tech Explained

The content of this video is the same as the previous upload, except now it's been encoded in HDR!
Watch the SDR version here • What is HDR Video? (SD...
HDR has long been promised to be the "next big thing" for digital video. But not many people understand what HDR actually does on a technical level. In this video, I'll be explaining what HDR is, how it works, and how it can benefit your content consumption experience.
-- Navigation --
00:00 Introduction
00:38 Disambiguation
01:57 Dynamic Range
09:46 Color Gamut
10:45 Bit Depth
12:17 How to watch in HDR
16:09 How to produce HDR
18:34 Closing
== Links ==
Join the official VTE Discord server: / discord
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My portfolio: camoncrocker.com

[@renatozaki]

holy cow the visual demonstration using paper at 4:30 made me understand this completely well !! love this

[@ProfSilly]

These are very well done videos. Very articulate and informative. You have done a better job than any of the major content providers. Excellent work!

[@eric-seastrand]

Best explanation of HDR I’ve seen yet. Now I understand how to cut through all the marketing terms the tv manufacturers are throwing around these days.

[@iurandum]

At last a story about HDR made in HDR natively

[@AndyDavoBloodBowl]

I rarely watch a YT video to the end. This was a rare exception. Well done - I hope your channel blows up

[@LongbowAdam]

I can’t wait to tell people I was an early subscriber to this great channel. Wow this video and the quality of your content is striking. Thank you so much for this. Loved it!

[@HarisKohi]

this is excellent. I enjoyed the fact you started the video explaining the basics then gradually added more information. good content for learn!!!

[@heesmr9149]

4:28 this paper demonstration is so cute LoL You are a true youtuber!

[@xtensionxward3659]

this is an underrated video ! very detailed and easy to understand description about HDR its learn pro aspects the beginner way .. i wish people would appreciate more this kind of content

[@Jacob-td9zl]

Best explanation of HDR on KZbin!

[@Alex27uh]

I just entered the world of HDR with a new OLED monitor :) It looks stunning but now I'm cursed by the lack of HDR content! It's mainly new games and shows that have it, it will take time. Great video and thankyou for explaining!

[@i-lik-maney]

Rewatched my HP and Nolan collection in HDR on that new OLED iPad, had a blast! In fact most of my stuff on iTunes has either an HDR remaster or a native version. Mine is a highest grossing movies collection though, so maybe there’s a correlation there

[@andrewwyatt8016]

Awesome job! Excellent video. You did a great job explaining and used good b-roll, and answered some of my questions. Keep it up!

[@pkuras]

I love how you subtly applied each transformation to your video, at the time you were talking about it, as you were walking around outside. Nice technique!

[@AlanRuic]

Even though I know very well by now how these things work I still watched a bunch of your videos. Simply because they are so articulate, to the point, and correct! When I got into this it was very complicated because the information out there was incomplete, failing to exactly convey the purpose or limitations of those technologies, and sometimes the content would clearly contain information that was oblivious to the underlying math or physics. But you just manage to explain these things elegantly. Love the explanation on a bit of paper (like an engineer). Great work!

[@ShishaWG]

One of the best Videos about HDR i´ve seen! When i produced a vlog recoreded with my iphone in HDR i went deep down the rabbit hole :D

[@alexander.starbuck]

Young Sir, absolutely the best video on this topic, and, I'd add--on any topic! Such clear and concise representations and such good structure, I salute you! Please make tutorials (explainers) on everything if it will be this good ;)

[@ilyamiskov]

Amazing video and really well explained. Watching this on a 2021 iPad Pro 12.9 with Mini-LED display. HDR is definitely gorgeous.

[@trudyandgeorge]

Omg thank you so much. I searched for "HDR explained" and all I get are shills with thinly veiled ads for TVs. Thank you dude, this video is exactly what I was after. Quality youtube-ness right here. 10/10, would learn again.

[@omritahar9048]

The absolute best explanation I've seen on this topic. Thank you!

[@PianistTanooki]

An HDR video explanation *actually* in HDR! Well done! Yes, I used to get this confused with the silly "HDR" software such as "Pro HDR" app from way back in the day for older iPhones… until I realized that all these apps really did was just blend two images together by bringing down the highlights and bringing up the shadows to make the image visible within the narrow dynamic range able to be displayed on older devices. Now that I own a newer iPhone with an OLED screen and the iPad Pro with the mini-LED display, I've watched some *real* HDR content on services such as Apple TV+… and my goodness, it looks amazing. It's really something one has to really see to appreciate, and it sucks that one needs a combination of the right hardware, along with the right content to really appreciate the difference.

[@yehudadm]

As an Electro-Optics engineer I really enjoyed the way you explained it

[@JagaSantagostino]

Great content! I finally understood a lot of concepts I wasn’t sure about

[@vesolovski]

I am literally shocked how great this content was! WOW!

[@AbhiJithpyd]

I've been waiting for your video. ❤️

[@honzas574]

Very informative well explained superb editing, thanks a lot a lot of new information for me regarding HDR. Keep up the good work. ❤

[@wilsonthefilmmaker]

Awesome video !!! Helped a lot in understanding how to work with HDR

[@EatinBubsy]

Crystal clear. Love your channel

[@sargonuspa3672]

Well-done. That was and informative and well made video.

[@jleocarmo]

Awesome videos. You really should keep making them! Fantastic! Congrats!

[@techlessYT]

Great stuff. Keep it up Camon!

[@kieranunsworth3102]

Brilliant work, very well explained with facts and examples. Would be great if you could do an in depth video about broadcast HDR conversion and balancing between SDR

[@hamidshhatami7529]

watched all your vides in row ! great job

[@312sapa]

your videos are truly helpful. thanks alot!

[@yonstac_studio]

Cool man❤ I learned a lot from this video alone.

[@thybigballs]

I learned a lot from this. Thanks man!

[@design_ref4215]

Nice explaination. Thank you!

[@ericdargan]

This was fantastic. Thanks so much!

[@droneblake8968]

Your explanations are excellent

[@gabrielwolfcolor]

Awesome video! Thank you!

[@Beajaan]

The only time i understood HDRand every question I had about it.

[@matthias5591]

So good Video! Thank you!

[@codypeck2266]

Great information. Thank you!

[@thehynesgroup7579]

Thanks bro, very helpful.

[@sunviewer7]

There is no explanation better than this!

[@Ventus7777]

I wish I saw this video earlier before buying cheap LCD TV that had HDR advertised. Now I gotta look for oled display. Thank you for this video. I finally understand what HDR is and what are the requirements for it

[@calmetosis]

Good content. Thank you!

[@rithinrobert3563]

Such a wonderful tutorial thank you so much..broooo

[@DrR1pper]

Subbed! Really great video explanation of HDR and enjoyed in HDR on Alienware AW3423DW QD-OLED to boot! :P

[@FAMEAcademyNY]

Great video!

[@omediaproductions1]

Makes more sense now, thank you

[@lordthanos4353]

Excellent video.

[@partner313]

Very good video! Keep it up! ;))

[@logicalkid8048]

Well explained 👍

[@louisxiiii]

This was an excellent video, I'm about to buy my first TV since the CRT days, and am trying to figure this all out. This helped tremendously. I have a couple technical comments. Shouldnt' an extra bit only double the amount of data that can be recorded? Also, I noticed a lot of salesmen touting the perfect or infinite contrast / dynamic range of OLED TVs, but this seems misleading. It is only infinite because to get contrast you divide by the black level, which is 0. Dividing anything by 0 ( technically, approaching 0) is infinity (approaches infinity), meaning you could have the dimmest OLED display in the world, but if it goes completely dark, it still has infinite dynamic range, whereas a superbright mini-LED will have technically lower contrast because you are no longer dividing by 0, even if you get pretty close for practical purposes. I found I prefer the brighter displays, which look more dynamic, even if the math says otherwise.

[@prince2013able]

Well done!

[@RockWILK]

Awesome videos, thanks for all this great information. I'm confused about something, and actually, I am in the midst of HDR10 madness at the moment, trying to figure out how to finish my film. I shot a film on my LG V40, saving everything as HDR10. 1080, 24fps, and everything looks great. I am editing in Davinci Resolve so far, been using the free version, and I just upgraded to the Studio version because I want the noise reduction, and also, I was told that I need the settings in the studio version to work with the files I have created. So far, I'm just using the monitor on my laptop (and all my editing, obviously... using a Dell XPS 13 7390 2 in 1, integrated iris graphics and i7). I have created my timeline, which is about 100 minutes long, and now I'm ready to get to grading, transitions, etc. So far, my machine and Davinci together has been flawless. Just amazing. Not a hiccup at all. Really smooth, and I don't even have to go into proxy mode, but.... my files don't look right to me. I'm about to buy a BenQ 4k/HDR monitor. Do you think this will solve that issue? Between the studio version and a better external monitor? I have been told a million different things with regards to "what I have to do". All I am now is more confused, because everything has been working great, and although my files don't look like what they look like outside of Resolve, they still look pretty good, and when I mess with some luts, they look great, which makes me think that the color correction process will be even better, but I know I'm not seeing everything that I shot, for sure, because I see the files on my phone and they are much more detailed and vibrant. My files in Davinci look like raw files. I have some cine-log files, too, that were shot on my LG V30, but they seem to look exactly what they look like on the phone, and so, I'm thinking Davinci supports those files, but not the HDR10 files. Any insight??? If I get this monitor, will I be good to go? I know I may find my computer beginning to choke a bit as I move forward, and I'm even prepared to get a breakout box and an external GPU if that happens, but as far as monitoring and seeing things well, I feel like finding your KZbin channel might have landed me in the exact place I need to be to get the proper information. Thanks again for the awesome videos, the comprehensive information, and for reading all these words. Peace and respect....

[@harysviewty]

Me too Using LG v20 v30 v35 v40 v50 v50 g8x g8 😍

[@RockWILK]

@@harysviewty #TeamLG

[@user-ny9se4mu6l]

first.... Man keep making videos. We want more

[@josetamad]

Great vid

[@winmediacenter]

Well done 👍👍

[@px64]

very informative

[@polpolaris]

You just blasted me with light with that the verge screenshot..

[@Kingslayerrock]

The best camera is what you have and best streaming device is also what to you have

[@MLGJuggernautgaming]

My MacBook has a great hdr display that uses mini LED. The dimming zones are good but not quite oled. Plus it can reach 1600 nits.

[@gabrielfernandessilva3707]

Nice

[@natetete1379]

SDR was also invented with the idea of having display panels with back lights. So what's listed as 0 is actually technically closer to about 50 to 100 nits and what the 100 nit value value is actually measured at is closer to about 200. So I think it's actually 0 to 100 over the baseline backlight brightness.

[@ChhangHuor]

This guy is genius, solve a lot of problem in my head.

[@GroovedMusic]

how the hell dont you have atleast 100k subs

[@europhile2658]

thanks for the great explanation! I was just going to suggest an HDR version - when I noticed that you had already done it! I watch on a 10 bit screen (LG) through Chrome and it does detect and display it as HDR. Does the Sony A6400 actually shoot 10 bit movies 4:2:2 ? I looked at the specs and it is not really clear that they do. Lots of buzzwords but very little clarity. It would also be better if you added another clip or two that showcases HDR. On the Jacob and Katie Schwartz channel they do some impressive HDR videos. Perhaps they do a better job of the Metadata

[@VideoTechExplained]

Actually the a6400 does not shoot 4:2:2 10-bit! It is true that the 4:2:0 8-bit files off of the a6400 are far from ideal for HDR content, but I was careful with exposure and color correction, so in my opinion the results are still acceptable nonetheless. As for why Jacob & Katie Schwartz's results look more vibrant than mine, I imagine a number of factors play into this. For one, they shoot with a RED Helium 8K which has superior dynamic range and color fidelity. Secondly, they grade their HDR videos using a true HDR mastering display, whereas I use a hyrbid HDR/SDR workflow which I've detailed in another video. Thirdly, I tend to grade my videos for a slightly different aesthetic, aiming for a clean and neutral look rather than stunning and vibrant. As with all things, there are both technical and artistic aspects to it!

[@harley6692]

Great video! Your head is very long. Keep it up!

[@antalgabor]

This looks much better even on a MacBook with SDR display :) How did you manage to grade HDR video without having a HDR display? Was it recorded using one of HLG profiles? Was it PQ or HLG when you did the upload to YT? Sorry for many questions :)

[@VideoTechExplained]

I like questions! Actually, the next video in the works answers your first question! The short version is, using Resolve's color management I was able to grade in HDR while monitoring in SDR. For more details, wait for the video. All my videos are recorded using Slog2/SGamut3.Cine unless stated otherwise, including this one. It's all the same footage as the SDR version, just with a new HDR grade. PQ. Specifically, Rec.2100 ST2084 (1000 nit)

[@sumitpanchal]

Also make video on 10 bit 422 , 444 ,, deep explanation. Thank you

[@Omaryllo]

What about using the SDR container, but on a really bright display? How is that different? Why isn't HDR literally just SDR, but with a max brightness metadata? I get the color stuff, but that's not really part of the dynamic range, so i don't get why this is bundled up into this mess

[@skysound3928]

And suddenly my phone turned brighter adjusting to the HDR Video... You just make me notice that my phone has HDR

[@cyberwolfe]

So... How do I go about getting HDR on my color Hitachi woodgrain TV from 1992? 🤔

Hey! Truly appreciate this one. It's basically all the nerdiness of @geraldundone. Being able to grade old footage makes for a lot of old Alexa footage workable again, and fresh looking. And IMHO, I think HDR will stick around longer than 3D did...because we can actually see it. Love the work and keep it up. Will test your other tutorial to grade Sony F65 footage and see if it actually works. C

[@VideoTechExplained]

Oh how I wish I could relate to having a bunch of "old Alexa footage" lying around xD and yeah definitely let me know how well it works out, I'm a bit constrained by the equipment I have at my disposal so I'm curious how well it will hold up in a more professional environment

@@VideoTechExplained Alexa's are a dime a dozen here in LA, but I bet you can find some footage online just to test this out with.

[@jonejone9639]

Pls show more diagram, and animation

[@naveenmallikarjuna8509]

Great video. Why do you want to burn witches though bro?

[@allenvestal4474]

Upgraded to a 4k computer and inexpensive 4k HDR TV about 5 months ago. I don't know why but after paying 99 cents for the Microsoft HEVC codec in Win 11 all streaming video looks better. 720p was for the most part unwatchable before.

[@birdman8375]

please, candela per square meter instead of nit

[@ok-B]

8:58 And now we have RTX Video HDR lol

[@daba4099]

Hello Thank you for doing this video I did not know exactly how old it is You are amazing You have the other so professionally so actually so well done so consistently so concisely My God awesome job You literally killed every and KZbinr that is a tech reviewer or a tech enthusiast or techwiz on youtube with this one video epically done please subscribe to this man He is amazing I've been watching Linus and thousands of other youtube tech experts and he just threw by them in half a second You are awesome Please never stop

[@daba4099]

as you can see I use speech to text not always not always accurate unlike you

[@Kenflyer]

your text overlays are way too bright, dude lower them. 1:40 you forgot the cool ST.2084 really sad that u didnt had a part about the ST.2084 14:34 there are zero hdr standards which require a 12 bit display haha wtf dude come on you can do better. Also dolby vision content is till today only encoded in 10 bit ;( Dolby Vision capable tv's cant even playback 12 bit You total forgot ST.2084 thats so sad. 18:29 what is going on with your desktop recording

[@VideoTechExplained]

Thanks for the feedback. Let me try and address each of your points in turn: 1. Yes, you're right. When I remastered this video for HDR I didn't have a good workflow in place for maintaining an acceptable white point in HDR yet. I've since improved my workflow and maintain my graphics white level at 203 nits in subsequent videos. 2. I'm not sure what you mean here. In the section of the video you linked to, I'm providing a broad overview of the benefits of HDR. The ST.2084 gamma curve is part of the "Increased Dynamic Range" part. I do go into more detail about the different ways HDR can be encoded in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5CQooGshZl3jZI 3. I was wrong when I stated in the video that some standards REQUIRE 12-bit support. You're right that Dolby Vision content can be played back by 10-bit displays. However, I don't think that you're correct in saying that Dolby Vision content is encoded as 10-bit. My research suggests that the video stream is encoded at 10-bit, but with an additional enhancement layer in the Dolby Vision metadata which provides the extra 2 bits of information. So it can be played as 10-bit, but the full 12 bits are present. 4. I'm not sure what's going on there. Like I said, I hadn't quite figured out my HDR workflow at this point so it's probably an artifact that slipped through the cracks. I originally made all the graphics for this video in SDR, and then for this remaster I used the Rec.709 transform inside of Resolve. That was the wrong approach, as I've since learned, and it's been fixed in newer videos.

[@gytis321s2]

When a freaking 400$ edge lit garbage of a TV have HDR on it... it makes me laugh... Only HDR capable TV's are OLEDS with PURE BLACK. Or some very high dimming zones OLEDs that can come somewhere close. Brightness MEANS NOTHING if there is no pure black.