Concept · HDR formats
HDR Formats Explained: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and HLG
Four acronyms, two transfer functions, one real difference (metadata). Here is the complete map so you can pick the right format for streaming, broadcast or archival remastering.
Orientation
The format family tree
Every HDR format descends from two standards: the PQ transfer function (SMPTE ST 2084), used by HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma, ARIB STD-B67), designed for broadcast.
PQ is absolute: a given code value always maps to the same luminance, which is what makes HDR10's static metadata workable. HLG is relative — it rides on top of the signal like a gamma curve, which is why it backwards-compatibly plays on SDR broadcast chains.
One table to rule them all
| HDR10 | HDR10+ | Dolby Vision | HLG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer function | PQ (ST 2084) | PQ (ST 2084) | PQ (ST 2084) | HLG (ARIB B67) |
| Metadata | Static | Dynamic (per-scene) | Dynamic (per-scene/shot) | None (signal-based) |
| Bit depth | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10/12-bit | 10-bit |
| Licensing | Free | Free (Samsung-backed) | Dolby license + certification | Free |
| Ecosystem | Universal | Samsung + growing | Netflix/Disney/Apple + major TVs | Broadcast |
| Backwards compatible with SDR | No | No | No | Yes (by design) |
HDR10 — the baseline
Static metadata: one set of brightness anchors (maxCLL, maxFALL, mastering display info) for the whole title. Free, universal, and the default output of every encoding pipeline, including our SDR2HDR API. It is the format you ship when you want the widest reach at zero licensing cost.
HDR10+ — dynamic metadata, no license
Samsung's answer to Dolby Vision: per-scene dynamic metadata, royalty-free, but encoded into HEVC SEI messages that only a subset of devices parse. Technically elegant; practically it splits an already small dynamic-metadata ecosystem. If you already produce HDR10, HDR10+ is the cheapest upgrade path — we output it on request.
Dolby Vision — the premium tier
Dynamic metadata plus optional 12-bit IPT processing, Dolby licensing and certification. It is the quality flagship of streaming, but authoring requires the Dolby toolchain and per-device certification matters for guaranteed playback. Treat it as a deliberate premium delivery decision, not a default.
HLG — broadcast's pragmatic choice
Because HLG rides on the video signal, a single HLG feed can drive both SDR and HDR sets: SDR displays show a slightly flat but watchable picture, HDR displays map it to full range. That makes it the standard for live sports and broadcast contribution. Downside: no per-content mastering intent — it is a camcorder-style transfer, not a graded deliverable.
Decision matrix
| Use case | Deliver |
|---|---|
| Streaming, universal reach | HDR10 (add DV for flagship titles) |
| Remastering an SDR library | HDR10 first; HDR10+ on request |
| Broadcast / live | HLG |
| Premium originals | Dolby Vision + HDR10 fallback |
| Samsung-heavy platform | HDR10+ |
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need Dolby Vision if I have HDR10?
No. HDR10 covers essentially every HDR device. Dolby Vision adds per-scene quality and premium positioning, at the cost of licensing and authoring complexity.
Can one file contain multiple HDR formats?
Streaming services ship separate encodes per format (e.g. an HDR10 HEVC and a DV HEVC). Some hybrid profiles exist (Dolby Vision profile 8.1 is HDR10-compatible), but planning separate deliverables is safer.
What is the difference between PQ and HLG?
PQ is an absolute luminance transfer — content is graded to specific nits. HLG is a relative curve that degrades gracefully on SDR displays, which is why broadcast uses it.
Which HDR format does your API output?
HDR10 by default, with HDR10+ and HLG on request. We do not output Dolby Vision because it requires a Dolby license and certification.
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