I'm using a KTC M27T6 that I believe is properly calibrated for HDR. I usually leave Windows Display HDR enabled and set local dimming to Auto, but HDR still looks disappointing in many games. Red Dead Redemption 2 has weak colors except in dark scenes, the latest Gears game has a dull, washed-out filter, and Pragmata looks similarly underwhelming. Even gameplay videos recorded with an iPhone seem to show the HDR versions looking worse than SDR. Is there something wrong with my settings, my monitor, or is HDR simply poorly implemented in most PC games?
4 Answers
It can absolutely look excellent when properly implemented. Cyberpunk 2077 on a good OLED was a huge improvement for me, particularly with bright highlights and lighting effects. OLED also makes HDR more convincing because of its near-perfect blacks and strong contrast; many LCD monitors make the difference much less impressive.
Try running Windows HDR Calibration and checking each game’s peak brightness, paper-white, and exposure settings. Some games also benefit from tools such as RenoDX or SpecialK, which can fix or replace broken HDR implementations. Unfortunately, that often means adjusting things separately for every game.
A lot of PC games have inconsistent or outright poor HDR implementations. Windows adds another layer of complexity, and some displays advertise HDR without having enough brightness or local-dimming control to show it properly. Your monitor may be capable enough, but the game still has to output HDR correctly.
HDR isn’t automatically supposed to mean brighter, more saturated colors everywhere. Its main advantage is a wider brightness range, especially for highlights and shadow detail. If you’re used to SDR with boosted contrast and saturation, properly calibrated HDR can initially look dull by comparison.
That’s been my experience too. HDR can be stunning on an OLED, while on a mediocre or dim LCD even SDR may look more appealing.