CES 2015: HDR is latest TV watchword

The technology has been used to make Netflix's Marco Polo even more vivid — and it's coming to a TV near you soon

A display of S' UHD 4K TV from Samsung are seen at the Consumer Electronics Show, January 8, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada (Getty Images)

So by now you’ve heard all about 8K, S’UHD and more. Add another initialism to the list: HDR.

As most people with cameras or recent cameraphones know, HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. It’s when the camera takes multiple shots in quick succession and at different exposures, combining them to create more dramatic, high-contrast images.

It doesn’t work for all photos, fast-moving objects crossing the frame, say, but in many lighting conditions it delivers stunning results.

You can do it with video, some cameras and cameraphones already do. And it’s also one of the buzzwords at this year’s CES. Netflix recently told the Independent that it’s now shooting all its programming in 4K and HDR. Like its recent Marco Polo which was already shot using HDR-compatible cameras.

CES had TVs from Panasonic, Samsung, LG and Sony set up to demonstrate the difference between screens with and without HDR capability. Most were prototypes which may take some time to become onsale items but at least two, the Samsung S’UHD flagship screen and the Sony KD-75X940C, are due out this year.

The brightness is the key element here, with HDR demanding much brighter screens to work properly. But this may lead to problems – extra brightness means extra power consumption, and the EU may have something to say about that.

But, having seen HDR in action on the Sony stand, I can confirm how intoxicating it is. Colours were warmer, images more inviting and objects much clearer. Washed-out skies became rich with detail, jewellery gleamed with subtler features and so on.

Like 4K, there is precious little native content to show off on TVs right now, and even Marco Polo on Netflix isn’t yet available in its HDR version, though it will be. But perhaps HDR will be the extra feature that will persuade customers to shell out that bit more when they choose their next telly.