Video presented through HDR technology is capable of showing more detail and color for a more accurate depiction of light and dark areas of any given image. Therefore, HDR has become an important spec that both professionals in the media industry and entertainment enthusiasts are pursuing. Now, as a long term developer dedicated to better representation of higher image quality, BenQ has developed exclusive HDR-PRO technology, used in creating projectors that represent accurate color and dynamic contrast, and thus allowing consumers to enjoy cinematic visual experiences that remain faithful to the original intent of their creators.

HDR, or High Dynamic Range, is a standard that offers a higher dynamic range in video signals, allowing an image to be shown with more brightness and increasingly detailed colour tones. HDR enhances the light areas of the image while also allowing dark areas to be shown in deeper contrast, representing the original image more completely and faithfully, and closer to what the human eye can see.

In this series of articles, we delve into the fundamental definition of HDR and gain insights into its capture and post-production for videos. In the previous installment, we explored the presence of true HDR in projectors, revealing efforts by manufacturers to replicate the cinematic viewing experience despite the inherent limitations of projector brightness.

Apart from LCD TVs and display panels, BenQ invests heavily in projector development, integrating software and hardware technologies to present true HDR imagery, offering consumers refined visual content with superior image quality.

Different devices often have varying brightness specifications, and the limited maximum brightness of projectors may lead to misrepresentation of original content in terms of color and brightness.

BenQ HDR-PRO technology incorporates Tone Mapping during design, compressing the brightness range to fit within the projector's brightness range, ensuring image projection is based on accurate calculations and precise projection.

When image information is concentrated in medium brightness, the Global Contrast Enhancer adopts an "S curve" to enhance detail in highlights and shadows. While these features can produce contrast enhancement effects, challenges arise when an image contains both highlights and shadows. BenQ's industry-leading Local Contrast Enhancer overcomes such challenges. Each image is divided into over 1,000 regions for applying localized contrast enhancement algorithms, optimizing contrast and detail in both shadow and highlight areas simultaneously.

Utilizing both Global & Local Contrast Enhancer technology, BenQ projectors produce deeper black levels and optimized contrast detail. With revolutionary overall stereoscopic perception, they offer viewers richer 4K HDR image depth, catering to the preferences of audiovisual enthusiasts.

With its Dynamic Black technology and proprietary deep dark sealing coating optical engine, BenQ lamp projectors can create an exceptionally wide dynamic range. Regardless of whether the original scene is very bright or very dark, viewers can see the original content more clearly. Especially noteworthy is BenQ's Solid State Illumination (SSI) technology, which boasts a 20% higher contrast compared to other SSI technologies, responding faster to changes in image brightness.

Unlike HDR displays, where brightness is fixed by the signal assigned to them, HDR projector brightness varies depending on factors such as the distance between the projector and the screen, screen size (larger screens yield darker measurements), and screen material, affecting overall image brightness. Hence, BenQ HDR-PRO projectors offer five different recommended HDR brightness levels for five common home projector screen sizes*. They also feature brightness control, allowing users to adjust brightness levels based on screen size for the best viewing experience. (*Common home projector screen sizes are 80, 100, 120, 150, and 200 inches.)

Moreover, BenQ's HDR-PRO technology not only focuses on providing maximum brightness to showcase a broader dynamic range but also offers ample and comfortable brightness choices to prevent long-term eye fatigue. This feature presents images in a comprehensive, detailed, and authentic manner, optimized for human vision.