Emerging standards are making the best of existing pixels. Understand the principles of HDR, learn how to build workflows to simplify production, and deliver the highest quality HDR pictures possible.
The industry has long considered Ultra High Definition (UHD) with High Dynamic Range (HDR) to be the ‘wow factor’ behind the next-generation TV viewing experience. Unfortunately, there are too many different HDR formats being touted, causing industry confusion about how to proceed, which in turn has delayed deployments.
The Ultra HD Forum has declared HDR (High Dynamic Range) ready for full commercial deployment after successful trials at recent marquee sporting events including the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the earlier French Open tennis championships at Roland Garros, Paris. This also marks a milestone for the Forum in establishing its Phase A guidelines as fit and ready for full time primary services rather than just temporary trials, setting the stage for starting roll out of the next Phase B.
Production company UFA broadcast the final of German reality talent show “DSDS - Deutschland sucht den Superstar” simultaneously in UHD and HD over the RTL network. The simulcast used Studio Berlin’s new 16-camera 4K/UHD mobile production unit, OB9, built by Broadcast Solutions.
Over the last few years, 4K/UHD and high dynamic range (HDR), in many ways, has been little more than a science project, as manufacturers have struggled to convince production entities of the long-term practicality and viability, with fears of overly complex pipelines and dual HDR-SDR workflows hindering widespread adoption. Beyond the manufacturers’ hype offering greater resolution in home displays, HD HDR, with its clearly improved dynamic range and enhanced highlights and shadow detail is what consumers really notice and ultimately care about. For broadcasters, there is beauty in HD HDR, as the technology doesn’t require more bandwidth. It simply remaps the available bandwidth already in place, albeit at an increased bit depth.
Despite all the fuss about 4K UHD television, producers of live sports and entertainment productions in the U.S. are finding that a 1080p at 59.94 fps HD signal delivered with high dynamic range (HDR) is more pleasing to the consumer’s eye. When compared to a 4K SDR picture, HD HDR images consume less bandwidth, are less expensive to produce and generally include darker blacks, brighter highlights, and richer, more vivid color. What’s not to like?
_460_259_70.jpg "Insight TV is one of the few but growing number of UHD channels.")
UHD rollout has been average rather than stellar to date. Matthew Goldman, Senior Vice President, Technology, Media Solutions, Ericsson provides an insightful explanation about why this might be and what issues might tip the scale.
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Everyone shopping for a 4K UHD television set these days is faced with the same question. What is high dynamic range, or HDR, should I buy it and what are the different flavors of it? What are the practical advantages? Here’s some guidance.