High dynamic range (HDR) technology is becoming an increasingly important part of premium video entertainment, with growing adoption across streaming television, live sports, gaming and mobile devices, according to new research from Parks Associates.
The research firm’s latest white paper, “High Dynamic Range and the Future of Video,” developed in partnership with InterDigital, examines how improvements in display technology, video production and compression are expanding the use of HDR beyond high-end television sets.
HDR allows compatible displays to reproduce a wider range of brightness, contrast and color, improving picture quality compared to conventional standard dynamic range (SDR) video. Parks Associates said broader device compatibility and the growing availability of HDR programming are moving the technology from a premium feature toward an expected component of high-quality video viewing.
“HDR gives the entertainment industry a powerful way to make improvements in picture quality,” Michael Goodman, the Director of Entertainment Research at Parks Associates, said in a statement on Tuesday. “For manufacturers, it helps demonstrate the value of advanced displays. For streaming services and content owners, it provides an opportunity to deliver a more compelling experience and preserve the creative intent of their programming.”
The research found that smart TVs are the primary devices used for streaming video in 62 percent of U.S. internet households that have a connected television device, making television manufacturers an important part of HDR adoption.
The technology is also gaining relevance in live sports and video games, where improvements in brightness, contrast and shadow detail can enhance the presentation of fast-moving images. Those applications are also encouraging improvements in live production workflows and real-time video processing, according to the report.
Parks Associates will offer a deeper look into its report on HDR and other streaming-related matters at its next “Future of Video: Business of Streaming” conference in Marina del Rey next month. The Desk is an editorial partner of the event; more information about the conference is available by clicking or tapping here.
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