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The only 5 features that'll force me to upgrade my monitor
Buying a high-end monitor is a big deal. Here are the 5 features my next dream monitor must have
Upgrading your monitor is akin to making a huge commitment — you're basically mandating a corresponding GPU upgrade to make the most of your new display. This is what I did when I switched from a 1080p 60Hz monitor to a 1440p 144Hz monitor back in 2020. The higher resolution as well as the higher refresh rate meant that my trusty old GTX 1050 Ti was now woefully inadequate. So, I had to buy a GTX 1660 Ti to get the best gaming experience my monitor could offer.
Best HDR monitors in 2024
Want to make the most out of your movies and games? An HDR monitor will help a lot, and these are the best ones out there.
HDR, short for high dynamic range, is one of the most sought-after features in high-end monitors. Without getting too deep into it, HDR means a monitor can display a wider range of brightness levels while retaining visible detail. The way monitors usually work means that you have to choose between blowing out the highlights or losing all details in the shadows, because brightness is usually controlled for the entire display at the same time.
IPS vs VA vs TN vs OLED: Which gaming monitor to buy?
Confused which type of gaming monitor to buy? Here's a simple breakdown of each panel technology to help you choose.
Choosing the best gaming monitor for your needs is not always easy, considering the vast number of options available, varying widely in quality and price. From the days of sturdy CRT monitors to the explosion of TN, VA, and IPS models to the advent of OLED options, gaming monitors have changed a lot. Today, before choosing the right monitor for yourself, you need to carefully understand your use case. And to do that, you need to know the ins and outs of the different panel types among gaming monitors — IPS vs VA vs TN vs OLED.
How to stream HDR video on Windows 11
If your fancy new monitor supports HDR video, you can get started with the feature in a few simple steps by going to the WIndows 11 settings app.
Windows 11 comes with many great new features, but one that's been a part of Windows for a while is support for high dynamic range (HDR) video. This kind of video quality is more immersive than standard-range videos. Your screen will get much brighter and the content you're watching will come alive when HDR video is playing. However, to enjoy HDR on Windows, you'll need a display that supports it first, and will have to tweak a few settings. Keep in mind, that you will also need a supported app that uses HDR and the video has to be full-screen.
HDMI 2.1a will reportedly debut at CES 2022
A new report claims HDMI 2.1a will be introduced next week at CES 2022, with new features for HDR10 and Dolby Vision.
HDMI is a confusing mess of standards and ports, with many features optional for manufacturers to implement. For example, even though HDMI 2.0 can support 4K at 120Hz, not all TVs and consoles with HDMI 2.0 are built for that. Now it seems there's another HDMI update on the way.
Hulu finally adds HDR content for compatible Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, and more devices
Hulu has finally added support for HDR streaming. Users can now watch select shows and movies in 4K HDR on supported devices.
With more and more smartphones and TVs launching with HDR support, demand for HDR content has skyrocketed in recent times. Streaming giants such as Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime have long offered HDR content, while Google Play Movies & TV (now Google TV) and HBO Max started offering HDR content just last year. Now at long last, Hulu is finally adding support for HDR streaming.
New Roku products and Google's Chromecast with Google TV gain HDR10+ certification
Roku and Google products have gained HDR10+ certification, with Paramount+ also featuring support for the technology.
The latest Roku products and Google’s Chromecast with Google TV have gained HDR10+ certification, with Paramount+ also featuring support for the technology. HDR10+ has previously featured in TVs from Samsung, Panasonic, and Amazon’s Fire TV Cube.
Latest Insider Alpha build adds Dolby Vision to Xbox Series X and Series S
A new alpha build for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S enable Dolby Vision for all HDR supported games on the consoles.
Microsoft rolled out a new alpha insider preview build a couple of days back with version number 2104.210317-0000. Shortly after the update, owners of the Xbox Series X and Series S, who are part of the alpha testing ring, have reported that HDR games on these consoles are now playing in Dolby Vision on compatible TVs.
HBO Max adds 4K HDR support on Android TV and Google Chromecast with Google TV
The latest update to HBO Max for Android TV has added 4K HDR support. Apart from 4K, the update also adds Dolby Vision and Atmos standards.
Just in time for the holidays, HBO Max is treating its subscribers to a sweet surprise. A new update is rolling out to HBO Max users on Android TV and Google Chromecast, which finally adds support for 4K HDR content.
Google Play Movies adds its first Dolby Vision HDR titles
We knew Google Play Movies was preparing to support Dolby Vision HDR. Today, we're seeing a batch of Dolby Vision HDR titles available on the platform.
Earlier this year, Google announced support for HDR content on Google Play Movies & TV. The company specifically mentioned HDR10+, but we knew it was preparing to support Dolby Vision HDR as well. Today, we're seeing a batch of Dolby Vision HDR titles available on the platform.
Netflix adds the OPPO Reno3, some Sony Xperia phones, and the unannounced Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite to its HD/HDR supported list
Netflix has updated its list of HD and HDR supported devices to include the latest Xiaomi Mi 10 series as well as the unannounced Mi Note 10 Lite.
The regular Android community started to care about Google’s Widevine DRM when they discovered the connection between the DRM level and HD playback capability in streaming apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Having Widevine L1 status is indeed a mandatory requirement, but it doesn't necessarily ensure the ability to play Netflix content in HD, as the streaming provider has to manually whitelist the devices for the facility. A similar certification procedure for Netflix HDR10 playback also exists, with the obvious prerequisite of having an HDR display.
Google is testing HDR photography for Camera Go on budget Android Go smartphones
The Camera Go app for Android Go Edition phones comes with a hidden HDR toggle. We got the setting to surface, but it remains non-functional for now.
Google Camera Go is a watered-down version of the Pixel's Google Camera app. The app was released on the Nokia 1.3, an Android Go smartphone, and we recently went hands-on with the apk to see what the app can do. While the app itself is barebones, what excites us is the sheer potential it has in democratizing the Google Camera experience, extending the camera magic beyond the exclusive Pixel, all the way to the opposite end of the market. And to prove our point, we have now spotted upcoming HDR photography features on Camera Go, which can enable HDR on low-end Android devices.
How the Iris 5 chip from Pixelworks can improve the visual experience of Android smartphones
Pixelworks and its Iris 5 visual processor, found in the OPPO Find X2, aim to improve the smartphone display experience with unique display features.
Smartphone screens continue to improve in visual quality every year in typical ways like color accuracy, color gamut, and brightness. However, we've come to a point where many of the technical advancements in even the top-tier displays are now imperceptible or unnoticed. Panel vendors and OEMs are constantly trying to come up with new ways, besides "just make it bigger" and form factor, to make the most engaging part of your phone even more attractive. Pixelworks and their Iris visual processor aim to improve the smartphone display experience by integrating unique display features and adaptive elements based on human visual perception.
Netflix officially adds dozens of Samsung Galaxy phones to the list of HD and HDR supported devices
Netflix has updated its list of HD and HDR supported devices to include the latest Galaxy phones and many more Samsung devices.
Samsung has unleashed a bunch of new devices on the tech world in recent weeks. The Galaxy S20 series and the Galaxy Z Flip are in the hands of users around the world. One of the things people love to do on phones with big, beautiful displays is watch Netflix.
Google Play Movies & TV is getting support for HDR10+ content
Google Play Movies & TV is the latest service to gain support of HDR10+ content. You can get HDR10+ supported UHD content if you have a supported device.
Google offers services in almost all branches of the tech industry. One of them is streaming, in which Google offers its service via Google Play Movies & TV. This app is used for renting and/or buying digital streaming content like movies and TV shows. Traditionally, this content has been available in SD and HD qualities. Lately, Google stepped up the quality and now offers HDR and 4K options. Now, per a recent announcement from the CES 2020 stage, Google Play Movies & TV will also support HDR10+ content.
Netflix certifies new Android devices for HD and HDR10 video playback, including the Pixel 4
Netflix has updated its list of devices supporting HD and HDR10 playback to include several recently launched phones, including the Pixel 4.
The last few weeks have been a veritable cornucopia of leaks and rumors regarding the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. It's almost impossible to list everything we know in each article. Last week alone, we saw multiple high production value hands-on videos from Vietnam, the Google Camera app leaked, the Face Unlock process was detailed, and much, much more. Now, Netflix has jumped the gun and listed the Pixel 4 for HD and HDR10 support.
HDR Video Playback Support is coming to Chrome for Android
HDR Video playback support is coming to Google Chrome for Android, according to recent commits. This will lead to better contrast and color accuracy.
The proliferation of High Dynamic Range (HDR) video is the next step in improving video quality for all. HDR significantly improves the luminosity range and widens the color space, resulting in greater contrast and color accuracy. Android officially supports HDR playback support starting in Android 7.0 Nougat, though it's up to individual devices to support a high color depth format and up to individual applications to support extracting HDR metadata from videos. It also requires a compatible display capable of producing the wider color space, of course.
HDR on the YouTube App on Android Now Only Reaches 1080p
HDR video is a relatively new advancement with a much larger colour spectrum. The YouTube application when playing HDR videos has been plagued with issues.
HDR (High Dynamic Range) is a term we hear about when talking about taking photos, and some results produced with HDR enabled are amazing. Usually, when we talk about HDR, we are referring to the effect on the photo where image processing brings out detail in dark areas. But HDR also has another meaning when referring to video. HDR video has a much wider colour range, around 1 billion individual colours.
Google Camera with HDR+ Supposedly Working on Exynos Galaxy S7/S8/Note 8
The Google Camera app with HDR+ processing is now working on the Exynos variants of the Galaxy S7, the Galaxy S8, and the Galaxy Note 8.
Up until now, the Snapdragon variants of the Samsung Galaxy S7, the Galaxy S8, and the Galaxy Note 8 could install and use the unofficial Google Camera HDR+ port to benefit from its image processing, but the Exynos variants of these devices were out of luck. This changes today, as the unofficial Google Camera HDR+ port is now working on the Exynos variants of the Galaxy S7, the Galaxy S8, and the Galaxy Note 8.
Streaming movies and TV shows to your television in 1080p Full HD might still be the norm for a lot of people, but when you're ready to make the jump to 4K HDR, Google now has you covered.