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 color 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’ve introduced the basic definitions of HDR and gained a better understanding of filming and doing post-production for HDR video. In the previous article, we discussed whether there is true HDR for projectors. In that article, we showed that even though the maximum brightness of projectors is limited, with the latest technology manufacturers are trying to give consumers a viewing experience that is closer to watching a film at the cinema.

Other than LCD TVs and display panels, BenQ also puts great effort into developing projectors by integrating software and hardware technologies to present an authentic HDR image, which allows consumers to view content with more detail and better picture quality.

Different devices often have different specifications, which might lead to misrepresentation of the original content in terms of color and brightness. BenQ HDR-PRO technology is designed with Tone Mapping in mind to make sure that images being projected are all based on accurate calculation and precise projection.

BenQ puts great effort into developing projectors by integrating software and hardware technologies altogether to present an authentic HDR image, and reproduce exact details with more dynamic range in both highlight and shadow areas. Therefore, it can bring the original visual elements to the audience and provide an authentic viewing experience that is closest to watching a film in the cinema.

The HDR-PRO contrast tuning technology of BenQ is a leading technology in the industry in providing local contrast enhancer, in which each image is divided into over 1,000 regions for the application of local contrast enhancement algorithm. As such, whether the contrast or details of shadows or highlights can be optimized simultaneously in the same image. Using imagery contrast know-how, BenQ is able to produce projectors with darker black level and more optimized contrast details. They have a revolutionary degree of overall stereo perception, which can provide audio-video enthusiasts a richer 4K HDR image depth.

To make Tone Mapping work even better, BenQ uses SSI Dimming technoloty and Dynamic Iris for different light sources:

The exclusive advantage of BenQ's solid state illumination (SSI) technology is that it does not require an iris to use the Dynamic Black™ algorithm. Furthermore, it can respond to the change of image brightness more quickly, with a 20% higher contrast compared with other SSI technology.

Most projectors on the market focus on performance in either highlights or shadows. Some will even sacrifice the realistic level of images to maintain the contrast ratio that falls within its range. With Dynamic Iris or SSI Dimming, projectors can determine the output value of its projection by controlling the optical system of the projector based on different contents or different scenes. Therefore, it can optimize the contrast and make the scenes closest to what a director or creator intends to present.

With its Dynamic Black™ technology and proprietary deep dark sealing coating optical engine, BenQ lamp projectors are able to create a very wide dynamic range. Regardless of whether the original scene is very bright or dark, viewers will be able to see the original video more clearly.

The brightness of an HDR projector, unlike HDR monitors, is not fixed by the signal assigned to it, but varies depending on the distance between the projector and the screen, screen sizes, and the material of the screen. Therefore, BenQ HDR-PRO projectors provide 5 different recommended HDR brightness levels for 5 different common home projector screen sizes*. It is also equipped with a brightness control so that users can change the brightness level based on screen sizes to enjoy the best viewing experience. (The common home projection screen sizes are 80,” 100,” 120,” 150,” and 200.”)

In addition, BenQ HDR-PRO technology does not simply focus on providing maximum brightness to show more dynamic range. Instead it provides sufficient and comfortable brightness choices in order to avoid long-term eye fatigue. This feature also presents a comprehensive, detailed and realistic image in a way that is best suited for human eyes.