Question Is HDR worth it?

[Mtj]

I'm looking to purchase a new 27" 4K monitor with 10 bit IPS display, but I'm unsure about HDR.

If I'm not mistaken HDR10 only means that a monitor has a 10 bit display (true 10 bit or 8 bit + FRC). HDR10 standard includes several specifications which actually define HDR starting from HDR400 as described on VESA website.

A HDR400 display appears to be barely better (on paper) compared to an average SDR display and I'm wondering if is worth to pay more for a HDR400 certified monitor. For example, the LG 27UL600-W is HDR400 certified with 99% sRGB color gamut, while Philips 276E8VJSB has no HDR certification with 109% sRGB color gamut. Both are 10 bit IPS monitors. According to this article on tft central a HDR400 certified monitor is not really worth getting.

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[dlerious]

I'd like HDR1000 with around 500+ FALD zones - at a decent price, say $800 for 32"-36" 4K 120HZ+.

 

[Mtj]

I agree with you that more advanced HDR specifications are worth it. Maybe I should have titled the topic better, like is HDR400 worth it. I'm interested specifically in HDR400 because monitors with this specification are within my budget, 500€ - 550€. If a monitor with HDR400 specifications like LG 27UL600-W costs around 530€ those with better HDR specifications are certainly more expensive.

 

[dlerious]

I settled for the LG 27uk650. HDR isn't much better than SDR, but the price was ok - currently $400 on Amazon. It got decent ratings on RTINGS. I grabbed it mainly so I can watch my 4K Blu-rays. Still prefer my 1440p high refresh for gaming

 

[Mtj]

Thanks for your feedback dlerious. Let me just ask you a question: Given your experience with LG27UK650, could you say that HDR is nice to have, but not an absolute necessity?

 

[Furious_Styles]

Thanks for your feedback dlerious. Let me just ask you a question: Given your experience with LG27UK650, could you say that HDR is nice to have, but not an absolute necessity?

I would say from what I've seen on most 27" gaming monitors it does not look good enough to be worth even considering.

 

[dlerious]

Thanks for your feedback dlerious. Let me just ask you a question: Given your experience with LG27UK650, could you say that HDR is nice to have, but not an absolute necessity?

I've seen HDR1000 monitors - limited exposure and HDR400 (HDR600) isn't really worth it if HDR is the main feature you want. HDR400 looks worse than SDR to me some times.

 

[Mtj]

Thanks again. It's not worth going after HDR then. Better to look for a monitor which offers other features like USB type C, better color gamut, ...

 

[sdifox]

HDR is still a mess on PC

 

[guachi]

Is HDR worth it?

On a PC, no.
On a TV, absolutely.

 

[dlerious]

Is HDR worth it?

On a PC, no.
On a TV, absolutely.

I almost grabbed a Samsung Q80R. Size was just a tad too big.

 

[Johnny Lucky]

I had a 3 year old Acer 43 inch monitor that was HDR 100 capable. I could not see any notable difference when HDR 100 was enabled so I left it turned off.

Two weeks ago I upgraded to the new Acer Predator 43 inch model that is HDR 1000 capable. HDR 1000 definitely made a visible difference. I left the HDR mode permanently on.