HDR (high dynamic range) expands the range of brightness and color a picture can represent, producing more lifelike highlights, shadow detail, and saturated color than standard dynamic range (SDR). Formats include HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG, each with different metadata and licensing.
For an OTT platform, HDR is a premium tier that adds real pipeline complexity: it requires HDR-capable encoding (usually HEVC or AV1), correct metadata carriage through packaging and the player, end-to-end color management, and device/display capability detection so SDR fallbacks are served where HDR is not supported. Studios often pair HDR mandates with stricter DRM.
The handbook · 7 volumes
Fora Soft Video Engineering Handbook
HDR delivers brighter highlights and wider color, and it breaks when metadata, tone mapping, or the device's HDR format support do not match. The seven volumes cover the video stack; for HDR start with Volume 1 on HDR, 10-bit encoding, and color, then Volume 2 on packaging, with device playback in Volume 3. Written by Nikolay Sapunov, CEO at Fora Soft.
Adding HDR tiers without washed-out pictures on half your devices?
We will review your source masters and device mix and send an HDR plan covering formats, ladders, and SDR fallback. 250+ video products shipped since 2005.
