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Windows HDR is driving me insane!

neo raider

neo raider

Member
I bought an oled monitor a few months ago and I kept getting yelled at for not using HDR ]:

But HDR Looks like shit.
I did the windows calibration thing numerous times and only one game look decent and all other ones look horrible.

Also why is the HDR shortcut broken?
I selected main display only yet everytime time I use it, it turns on hdr for all monitors and I have to go to settings and disable it

I just want it to work cuz I feel like im missing out
 
neo raider said:
I bought an oled monitor a few months ago and I kept getting yelled at for not using HDR ]:

But HDR Looks like shit.
I did the windows calibration thing numerous times and only one game look decent and all other ones look horrible.

Also why is the HDR shortcut broken?
I selected main display only yet everytime time I use it, it turns on hdr for all monitors and I have to go to settings and disable it

I just want it to work cuz I feel like im missing out
Click to expand...

I only turn on HDR before launching game. Windows HDR looks like shit on desktop.

This tray app is useful:

github.com

Releases · res2k/HDRTray

Windows Notification Area icon to show and change HDR status - res2k/HDRTray
github.com github.com
 
I've never figured out how to make it work. I'm on Windows 10. When I first got an HDR monitor it worked but then for some reason stopped working. I also now have a TV with HDR and that doesn't work with HDR either. I just pretend HDR isn't actually real.
 
Like somebody said already, half the time you must turn on HDR before launching the game. I leave it off when using windows. Having a keyboard that can macro HDR to its own dedicated button is nice. Also, Windows 11 fixed all my problems with HDR that I had on 10.
 
I was in a similar situation 8 months ago. This is what I found.
One, some games have shit HDR. So don't fret about something looking bad. Sometimes it's just a bad implementation.
Second, only enable HDR when viewing HDR content. Be it games or videos. Consider that most content on the internet, including youtube, is Rec709, meaning SDR.
Third, install the Windows HDR Calibration Tool. Run it on a dark room and calibrate your display. This will make sure that your color profile in HDR is correct.
While doing this calibration you will also find the value for your HDR nits. Or you can find it on the internet, or user manual. But you need it, because some games require you to manually put it in.
I don't recommend using Windows Auto SDR. It's a bit of hit or miss.
 
You can use Auto Actions to create profiles for applications to automatically invoke HDR so keep the desktop in SDR and only use HDR when needed. Another option is Special K.

Windows desktop looks better in SDR than in HDR, but in the windows settings for HDR there is a SDR content brightness slider, set this to about 30 and it makes it closer to how SDR should look.

Lastly check that your monitor is in DisplayHDR mode (which is the Vesa HDR mode), some monitors come with different HDR picture modes, also that in windows\settings\display\advanced display the bit depth is on 10-bit which is needed for correct HDR output (if not then force it via GPU control panel).
 
Bojji said:
I only turn on HDR before launching game. Windows HDR looks like shit on desktop.

This tray app is useful:

github.com

Releases · res2k/HDRTray

Windows Notification Area icon to show and change HDR status - res2k/HDRTray
github.com github.com
Click to expand...

Same, Windows Key + Alt + B shortcut before launching. Ive had no issues with HDR on PC now since calibrating properly on my LG CX. Looks the same as consoles in supported games. Nvidia HDR is good too for certain games.
 
Some studios have a better handle on it than others. If you're getting a blown out look on windows 10, try alt-tabbing in and out of it. Used to work for me when I played on my TV. I recall Ubisoft actually having the best HDR on PC at this time. Probably would have been around AC Odyssey launch window. I'm back at a desk and I didn't both getting an HDR monitor. Even when it was working well, it looked artificial. Never got a natural look out of it. Maybe it's better now.
 
Luipadre said:
It always looked off compared to console HDR
Click to expand...

It's probably just HDR in Windows not being calibrated properly, because HDR is implemented the same way on both PC and consoles.

Anchovie123 said:
I only turn HDR on when i know im about to consume HDR content and it has to be well optimized HDR too (mostly renodx)

github.com

GitHub - RankFTW/RHI: ReShade HDR Installer

ReShade HDR Installer. Contribute to RankFTW/RHI development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com github.com
This is a good tool, will auto install reshade and renodx into supported games (if available)
Click to expand...

Renodx is pretty cool, but for some games I actually prefer the default HDR. KCD2 is a good example, I tested Renodx on it and didn't like the results, the image looked way too bright and some of the colors looked worse to me.

For games without native HDR support I've been using Special K. Tried it with Dying Light 2, Gotham Knights, and now Crysis 3, and honestly the results have been pretty damn good, I think it looks better than RTX HDR.
 
The problem is there isnt a GPU powerfull enough to run HDR properly yet. If your looking to use HDR theres a console called Microsoft Xbox Series X that runs it fine, I think even the PS5 can run it.
 
i just leave it on like a fucking scrub

Evil Smile GIF
 
These kind of threads, especially where operating systems or updates are negatively affecting gaming experience, always puts me off embracing PC.

One day I'll take the plunge in sure. Interested in the Steam Machine.

.
 
I just leave it on - it all looks great on my monitor. I do think that part of the issue is that they sell a bunch of monitors with 'HDR' on them that are not really capable.
 
I know this doesnt help you, but I have it on, always, after downloading the Windows Calibration app and I love how everything looks (I do not use auto hdr anymore as it can mess with some games, in my experience). I did have issues in the past, but everything seems smooth now, excluding whatever games have broken or poorly implemented HDR like Resident Evil 2 and 3 Remake (might be better these days, not sure) as 2 examples.

I'm on Windows 11 and my monitor is a G93SC.
 
Yep, it's sucked ass since it was first implemented. Basically need to turn it on only before launching a game. A real pain in the ass.

I do find it is less of a problem on a proper TV, however. Seems most PC monitors with HDR just don't do well with HDR enabled in Windows.
 
Not all OLED monitors are the same... the first sign of poor calibration is if you can tell any difference between HDR on and HDR off on the desktop, in your web browsers, windows, etc.

If the colors look totally different, your calibration is bad (for instance the reds in the icons on your task bar, or the greys to your web browser). Probably more on the SDR side than the HDR one, but likely on both.

It's taken a long time, but I finally have a great looking HDR monitor + profile that doesn't make Windows look like crap (dull colors, too light colors like tints in google sheets weird), and pretty much the only reason I use SDR at all is because remote desktop from other PC really doesn't know what to do with HDR when you remote in. When I pick whether to use HDR or Dolby Vision, the Dolby Vision does a much nicer job though, so I make sure to use that with my monitor.
 
Last edited:
Seriously, I've seen people complaining about windows HDR for years, and I still dont understand why. I use windows HDR since 2019 with my LG C9 Oled and never had any problem. Really.

Turn On HDR on windows
In nvidia control panel (now Nvidia App) set the colors settings to RGB 12bpc and black level at Full
In your TV, set the black level to Full, and Dynamic Tone Mapping to HGIG.

And that's it. I've been using this for 7 years and never had any problem.
 
DanEON said:
Seriously, I've seen people complaining about windows HDR for years, and I still dont understand why. I use windows HDR since 2019 with my LG C9 Oled and never had any problem. Really.

Turn On HDR on windows
In nvidia control panel (now Nvidia App) set the colors settings to RGB 12bpc and black level at Full
In your TV, set the black level to Full, and Dynamic Tone Mapping to HGIG.

And that's it. I've been using this for 7 years and never had any problem.
Click to expand...

Now try in on a 27" LCD/LED desktop monitor, or even most OLED PC monitors. They just aren't built like HDTVs.
 
Steve Holt said:
These kind of threads, especially where operating systems or updates are negatively affecting gaming experience, always puts me off embracing PC.

One day I'll take the plunge in sure. Interested in the Steam Machine.

.
Click to expand...
HDR works much better on PC because you have several possibilities and controls that don't exist on consoles, such as RenoDX or RTX HDR.

But anyway, if you don't want to explore these things, that's fine too. Just use the Windows calibration tool (like you use a calibration tool on Xbox or PlayStation), enable HDR when the content supports it, and that's it, there's no difference.
 
HDR is still not designed for general desktop use, and still so many games don't implement it well...or implement it as an afterthought.

Which does kinda suck, because when it's done well it can really be a massive uplift for a game on an OLED or other kinds of displays that have high enough brightness.

You should also use the Windows HDR Calibration Tool app or other options to calibrate for your display, which you only need to do once.

At least on PC you have RenoDX to fix games with busted implementations, but it's still not a consistently good feature standard yet.
 
Last edited:
Steve Holt said:
These kind of threads, especially where operating systems or updates are negatively affecting gaming experience, always puts me off embracing PC.

One day I'll take the plunge in sure. Interested in the Steam Machine.
Click to expand...
You have to remember that people are doing a lot more with their PC than a console. Try hooking up multiple monitors to the PS5 like the OP, and then go in to your settings and see if you can have different HDR/SDR settings for each monitor.
 
Considering that your cables are good...

First of all check if your color depth and pixel format is correct on the GPU control panel. Set it on RGB 4:4:4 full RGB / 8,10 bits or 12bits (if your cables supports it) which one looks better on desktop

Then you turn it (win+alt+b) and calibrate with the windows tool.

Then you go for the games.
 
The only area where OS X actually wins. They've implemented HDR and SDR in the same instance - you screen can switch between the two on the fly depending on the content, such beauty.

Win 11 HDR is crap on desktop, thats why most use the tray app or have some automation that enables HDR whenever a game is run. Its not meant to be crap on windows desltop but thats MS dragging their feet for years. It shouldn't affect gaming.
 
HDR on Windows is still fucked up? I remember buying RE7 on PS4 to play it there because I couldn't get it working in HDR on PC. That was ages ago.
 
DanEON said:
Seriously, I've seen people complaining about windows HDR for years, and I still dont understand why. I use windows HDR since 2019 with my LG C9 Oled and never had any problem. Really.

Turn On HDR on windows
In nvidia control panel (now Nvidia App) set the colors settings to RGB 12bpc and black level at Full
In your TV, set the black level to Full, and Dynamic Tone Mapping to HGIG.

And that's it. I've been using this for 7 years and never had any problem.
Click to expand...
will give it a try later today


Gp1 said:
Considering that your cables are good...

First of all check if your color depth and pixel format is correct on the GPU control panel. Set it on RGB 4:4:4 full RGB / 8,10 bits or 12bits (if your cables supports it) which one looks better on desktop

Then you turn it (win+alt+b) and calibrate with the windows tool.

Then you go for the games.
Click to expand...
I thought dp1.4 was 1:1 with HDMI 2.1 so I plugged in my hdmi and I can see 12bit option even though my monitor doesn't support it, but glad to know that its not getting compressed anymore



winjer said:
some games have shit HDR. So don't fret about something looking bad. Sometimes it's just a bad implementation.
Click to expand...
Yeah I think i was just hit with just terrible selection, I'll test more games to see if its monitor/my calibration or is it the games
 
Yeah hdr for pc games is ass. Barely anything actually supports hdr, and even the ones that do don't look that great most of the time.
Fortunately most games are easily moddable to get good hdr.

Some people will say to use rtx hdr but in my experience it doesn't look much better than windows auto hdr, and comes with an added performance cost.
 
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