The Correct Way to Setup HDR - HGiG vs DTM ON / OFF - What Peak Brightness for DTM ON? PS5 / Xbox

How to Set Up HDR System Level Calibration on Consoles

Introduction to HDR Setup

• The video introduces the topic of setting up HDR system level calibration menus for PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Switch 2, excluding PC discussions.

• The presenter aims to clarify how to use HGHe and dynamic tone mapping options on LG OLED TVs.

Understanding Key Concepts

• A brief overview is provided about HCH (HDR Gaming Interest Group) and dynamic tone mapping without delving into technical details.

• Viewers are informed that LG OLED TVs have an option for dynamic tone mapping in advanced settings under brightness.

Comparing Tone Mapping Options

• The focus is on determining the best HDR experience between HCH versus dynamic tone mapping options.

• HCH stands for HDR Gaming Interest Group, which includes major companies like AMD, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Sony working together for optimal HDR experiences.

Functionality of HCH

• With HCH enabled, no tone mapping occurs on the TV; it relies solely on console or PC information.

• The presenter emphasizes that there are no games that support HCH natively; this misconception is addressed.

Dynamic Tone Mapping Explained

• Dynamic tone mapping differs from HCH as it actively processes content sent to the TV for better display results.

• The speaker expresses a preference for dynamic tone mapping over HCH in most cases due to its ability to enhance picture quality.

Visual Differences Between Settings

• There’s a significant difference in average picture brightness when comparing dynamic tone mapping with HCH.

• Dynamic tone mapping analyzes content continuously and adjusts brightness based on current visuals displayed.

Conclusion of Discussion Points

• While using dynamic tone mapping can lead to some clipping issues, it attempts to optimize brightness levels effectively.

HDR Calibration and Dynamic Tone Mapping Explained

Understanding Dynamic Tone Mapping

• The speaker discusses the limitations of dynamic tone mapping, noting that it cannot brighten images as desired due to a lack of specular highlights.

• It is highlighted that dynamic tone mapping can lead to blown-out details, which is an inherent limitation of this technology.

• The speaker emphasizes that regardless of HDR system calibration settings, issues like detail clipping will persist with dynamic tone mapping enabled.

Importance of HDR System Calibration

• The calibration menu for HDR systems is crucial for informing consoles or PCs about display capabilities regarding peak brightness.

• If the HDR settings are not properly configured, consoles may operate at suboptimal levels, leading to poor visual experiences.

• The functionality of HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) is explained as essential for achieving accurate HDR effects on displays.

Setting Up Your Display for Optimal HDR Experience

• When HLG is enabled, the console recognizes the display's peak brightness settings (e.g., 1500 nits for LG G4).

• Most games do not support HLG directly; instead, they rely on in-game sliders to adjust brightness settings effectively.

• There’s no difference in outcome whether using HLG or in-game sliders; both aim to optimize how HDR content is displayed.

Steps for Proper Calibration on PlayStation 5

• The speaker outlines a straightforward process for setting up the PlayStation 5's HDR calibration menu when HLG is enabled.

• Users should adjust settings until elements are barely visible and then increase them slightly more to ensure proper visibility without overexposure.

• A recommendation is made to set brightness levels at their absolute minimum during calibration to avoid any visible artifacts.

Evaluating Dynamic Tone Mapping vs. HLG Settings

• A critical question arises regarding whether adjustments should be made when switching from HLG to dynamic tone mapping after initial setup.

• The speaker shares insights from recording gameplay footage under different nits settings (1500 nits, 4000 nits, and 10,000 nits), emphasizing Ratchet & Clank as a benchmark for evaluating HDR quality.

HDR Calibration Insights and Dynamic Tone Mapping

Understanding Peak Brightness and Midtones

• The discussion begins with the differences in specular highlights based on peak brightness settings: 1500 nits, 4000 nits, and 10,000 nits.

• A significant difference is noted in midtones around 200 to 400 nits; higher maximum peak brightness results in brighter midtones.

• It's emphasized that calibration affects not only specular highlights but also stretches midtones, increasing average picture brightness.

Key Learnings About HDR Settings

• Clarification that there are no "HDR supported games"; HDR functionality depends on screen settings combined with game settings for accurate display.

• Dynamic tone mapping generally increases average picture brightness but can lead to clipping of specular highlights.

• Turning dynamic tone mapping off is often a poor choice as it fails to provide a proper HDR experience.

Display Limitations and Calibration Recommendations

• The LG OLED TV's limitations are discussed; it cannot achieve a true 4000 nits signal despite expectations from dynamic tone mapping settings.

• If a TV could support exactly 4000 nits, there should be no difference between using HDR or dynamic tone mapping off. However, most displays do not meet this capability.

Impact of Maximum Peak Brightness on Picture Quality

• Higher maximum peak brightness settings on devices like PlayStation 5 enhance both specular highlights and midtones, leading to better overall picture quality.

• Brighter displays are necessary not just for peak brightness but also for achieving higher average picture brightness in midtones.

Practical Demonstrations of Dynamic Tone Mapping

• A demonstration shows the impact of calibrating at different peak brightness levels (1500 vs. 4000 nits), highlighting advantages in average picture brightness with dynamic tone mapping enabled.

• Comparison between HCH calibrated at different levels reveals that while dynamic tone mapping improves average brightness, it struggles with accurately displaying specular highlights.

Observations on Shadow Details and Specular Highlights

• An important comparison shows that while lower calibration (1500 nits) may reveal more shadow details, it compromises the representation of specular highlights compared to higher calibration (4000 nits).

• The subtle differences observed when using dynamic tone mapping at various calibrations indicate nuanced impacts on visual quality that may be difficult to discern without careful observation.

HDR Calibration Insights for LG OLED TVs

Dynamic Tone Mapping vs. H Calibration

• The speaker discusses using 4,000 nits as the maximum peak brightness, noting that this setting provides better contrast compared to dynamic tone mapping at 1,500 nits, indicating a clear preference for the former.

• A comparison is made between H calibration at 1,500 nits and dynamic tone mapping settings of both 4,000 and 10,000 nits. The speaker emphasizes that in games like Ratchet and Clank, these higher settings may not yield significant benefits.

• It is highlighted that there is no difference in average picture brightness or specular highlights when comparing dynamic tone mapping on versus off; both modes exhibit clipping issues.

• The speaker concludes that using dynamic tone mapping off is generally unfavorable. Instead, users should opt for either H calibration or keep dynamic tone mapping on with appropriate settings.

Optimal Settings for HDR Presentation

• For those who prefer using dynamic tone mapping on LG OLED TVs, it’s recommended to set the maximum peak brightness to 4,000 nits. This can be adjusted through specific menu settings until just barely visible.

• When comparing H calibration with dynamic tone mapping on, it's noted that H offers superior specular highlights without clipping but may result in lower average picture brightness.

• The setup process for both HE and dynamic tone mapping on remains similar; adjustments are made until bright elements (like the sun) are no longer visible.

• The speaker reiterates that while different LG OLED models may have varying options for tone mapping, setting it to 4,000 nits ensures an optimal HDR experience across devices.