HDR TV: What is it, is it Worth It, and Which Models to Buy

Teejay Boris, Tech Times 30 July 2021, 08:07 am

HDR or High Dynamic Range TVs are being carried by every popular brand's 2021 lineup, such as Samsung, TCL, Sony, and Hisense -- you name it.

That said, this tech will possibly be the norm for entertainment displays in the future. Thus, one should consider HDR compatibility to future-proof a TV purchase.

However, of all of the mentioned brands, only Vizio's entry-level series did not sport the newer tech.

With all of that said, let us dig deeper into the HDR TV technology and further unravel what is it, is it worth it, and which models should you consider buying.

HDR TV: What is it?

HDR-compatible TVs have become ubiquitous that even the entry-level line up of the top brands are readily sporting it. Previously, only the high-end or even mid-range series commonly flaunting HDR. Not to mention that HDR content is also flooding with streaming services, including Apple TV, Disney Plus, and Netflix, as well as Ultra HD Blu-ray joining the hype, as per CNET.

To note, what makes a TV stand out as the best mainly relies on its contrast ratio and color accuracy. Having both contrast ratio and color accuracy at decent levels will give the viewer a more natural experience.

Other features depend on personal preferences, but the two remain the undisputed standard for better viewing.

That said, HDR does a better job at balancing the contrast and color of TVs as it expands the range of the two. As such, if a part of the image is naturally bright, it can be brighter. Thus, giving the viewer a better depth experience.

Meanwhile, the expansion of colors produces a more accurate replication of its actual hues in real life. Thus, the colors that previously were considered impossible to show on TV are now exhibited. Viewers may now see the violet of an eggplant or the red of a fire truck, thanks to HDR.

According to Reviewed, HDR TVs sport more colors than the old TVs by about 30% more.

HDR TV: Is it Worth it?

Although TVs that support better resolutions like 4K or even 8K show better picture quality than those sporting lesser resolution, the HDRs stand out more.

It turns out that having better depth and brighter colors is more noticeable than getting lesser pixels. Thus, an HDR TV provides a more interesting image quality.

However, it will only be worth it if the content that the viewer mainly consumes supports the new tech.

Which HDR TV Models to Buy?

LG C1 OLED

This 2021 TV is an HDR TV, which supports HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG formats, but even at 48-inch, it already sells at a whopping $1,000.

TCL 5 Series

This 50-inch TV provides 400 nits of peak brightness, paired with a wide color coverage and black levels, which only sells at $800.

Samsung QN90A

This HDR TV works well even outdoors due to its 1,500 nits of peak brightness, even for an LED TV, with a shocking price tag of $1,000 for the 50-inch variant.

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Written by Teejay Boris