An AV receiver with HDR* represents a device for the best possible display of realistic images.
Table of contents
AV receivers with HDR
Necessity for the purchase for an AV receiver with HDR
2. If the user’s intention is that all auditory and visual signals should go through the AV receiver, then there must be two HDMI outputs on the device. If this does not apply, then an AV receiver with HDR can be considered. Otherwise, it is not possible to connect the visual signals to the TV via the one HDMI output. Moreover, it is not feasible to use the other HDMI out for the auditory signals.
AV receivers and HDR
Some AV receivers, which do not yet have the new HDR format, can be partially retrofitted. For example, certain newer models from the Denon and Marantz brands can benefit from a firmware update.
If an AV receiver is not capable of reproducing HDR, although images with a high dynamic range are available, the so-called dynamic compression takes effect. This ensures that highly dynamic images can be displayed with a low dynamic range. Another word for the term dynamic compression is tone mapping.
AV receivers with HDR develop their effect optimally in combination with a Full HD TV set. Their resolution is 4 times as large as that of a Full HD TV set. The problem with widely used image display technologies is their lack of ability to display images with a lot of information.
However, HDR works well on conventional screens where it can display the natural brightness level of images. In other words, a screen doesn’t have to be HDR compatible to still be able to display a better picture thanks to HDR.
The advantage of AV receivers with HDR is downward compatibility. In other words, images in the standard or low range can also be displayed.
Basic distinction
1. LDR – Low Dynamic Range
2. SDR – Standard Dynamic Range
3. HDR – High Dynamic Range
LDR – Low Dynamic Range
This image format is characterized by a small dynamic range.
SDR – Standard Dynamic Range
The Standard Dynamic Range is still below the possible
HDR – High Dynamic Range
The abbreviation HDR means something like High Dynamic Range. The term refers to the high dynamic range by which images of this class are characterized. In addition, HDR images are considered to be very rich in contrast. In addition to these two characteristics, HDR images are characterized by a uniform brightness. Moreover, images of this type are considered to be very rich in detail.
– Fewer blurred, out-of-focus images
– Authentic reproduction of brightness ranges
– True-to-life, realistic effect
Images without HDR
Images without a high dynamic range stand out due to several disadvantages. On the one hand, they can appear less authentic under certain circumstances. This fact is based on the lack of detail in the images.
The problem of images is their unnatural exposure. Either they are overexposed or underexposed.
How HDR works
Conventional images contain a depth of 8 bits. Bit is a unit of measurement that indicates the content of information. Conversely, this means: The more bits an image contains, the more information is present.
HDR images have more bits than normal images and thus combine more information. For example, HDR images in cameras consist of three different images in LDR, i.e. low dynamic range, which cover three levels of brightness.
This includes a bright and a dark image, as well as an image in between. In the end, the smartphone’s camera generates a high dynamic range image from all three of these images. Finally, an AV receiver with HDR* outputs images with higher color depth.