Buying a monitor with HDR capability can be very confusing. In an effort to make things easier, the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) is rolling out DisplayHDR testing tool. This new software includes test specifications for luminance, color gamut, bit depth, and rise time. At the moment the tool is designed for LCD panels but will be soon available even for OLED displays.

VESA with the DisplayHDR introduces three new standards: DisplayHDR 400, DisplayHDR 600 and DisplayHDR 1000. The DisplayHDR 400, requires true 8-bit image processing and according to VESA only 15% of current PC displays can meet. DisplayHDR 400 also requires a peak luminance of 400 cd/m2, full-screen long-duration luminance of 320 cd/m2 and coverage of 95% of the BT.709 color space.

The intermediate DisplayHDR 600 comes with a more demanding set of specifications. The peak luminance requirement is set to 600 cd/m2 and sustained bright scenes must have at least 350 cd/m2 of brightness. The DisplayHDR 600 color-reproduction spec is also more exacting than the entry-level certification. For example, compliant monitors must cover 99% of the BT.709 color space and 90% of the DCI-P3 space. The DisplayHDR 600 standard should aim professional and enthusiast high-end monitors.

The high-end DisplayHDR 1000, requires a peak luminance of 1000 cd/m2 and a sustained luminance of at least 600 cd/m2. The color space requirement is the same as the DisplayHDR 600 standard. According to VESA, the DisplayHDR 1000 is created for professional and enthusiast content creators.

According to VESA, the DisplayHDR test tool will be available during the next year. Below you can find a full list of performance criteria.




Source: VESA