I have 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 looks disappointing in most games. Red Dead Redemption 2 has very weak colors except in dark nighttime scenes, the latest Gears has a washed-out or dull filter, and Pragmata looks similar. Even gameplay videos recorded on an iPhone seem to show HDR looking worse than SDR. Could I be configuring something incorrectly, or is the monitor's HDR performance the limiting factor?
2 Answers
The likely issue is the monitor itself. With an 8-bit panel and around 400 cd/m² peak brightness, it has limited HDR capability, so many games may look brighter but less colorful or more washed out than SDR. HDR usually benefits from stronger peak brightness, better local dimming, and wider color coverage. I would try comparing the games with Windows HDR disabled and use SDR unless the results genuinely look better in HDR.
That display probably is not suitable for HDR gaming, despite being marketed as HDR-compatible. The HDR label may only indicate that it can accept an HDR signal, not that it can produce a strong HDR image. Check the game’s own HDR calibration settings as well, but if SDR consistently looks better, leaving HDR off is a reasonable choice.
I’m not very technical, but many reviews and owners seem happy with HDR on this monitor, so I’m not sure whether the panel is really the problem.