HDR explained: HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision
Short answer
HDR gives brighter highlights and richer colours. Every HDR TV supports HDR10. Dolby Vision and HDR10+ add scene-by-scene adjustments; Dolby Vision is used much more by Netflix, Disney+ and Apple TV+. The TV's brightness and contrast matter more than the logo list.
The formats
HDR10 is the basic standard with fixed settings for a whole film. HDR10+ and Dolby Vision add dynamic metadata, so the TV can adjust brightness for every scene. HLG is used for live TV broadcasts.
- HDR10: supported everywhere
- Dolby Vision: most streaming services, supported by LG, Sony, Philips, TCL and others, not Samsung
- HDR10+: used by Amazon Prime Video and some others, supported by Samsung and many brands
- HLG: live sports and broadcast TV
What matters more than the format
A cheap TV with Dolby Vision but low brightness shows less HDR effect than a bright TV with only HDR10+. Look at peak brightness, contrast (OLED or Mini-LED with local dimming) and colour volume first.
| Source | Formats |
|---|---|
| Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+ | Dolby Vision, HDR10 |
| Amazon Prime Video | HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HDR10 |
| 4K Blu-ray | HDR10, often Dolby Vision, sometimes HDR10+ |
| PS5 | HDR10 |
| Xbox Series X | HDR10, Dolby Vision for games |
Questions and answers
Do I need Dolby Vision?
It is a nice extra if you stream a lot on Netflix, Disney+ or Apple TV+. Samsung TVs do not support it, but still show those titles in HDR10.
Is HDR worth it on a cheap TV?
Often not much. Without enough brightness, HDR content can even look darker than SDR. HDR shines on bright OLED and Mini-LED TVs.