What is Local Contrast Enhancement of BenQ HDR-PRO?

BenQ

2023/03/30

As HDR technology has become immensely ubiquitous, there are more and more TV sets, monitors, and projectors with an HDR badge on them. But the truth is, with different display devices, the definition of HDR might vary. In particular, the use of contrast enhancer technology on display application is entirely different from that on a projector. Therefore, the contrast tuning is much harder and requires more professional know-how. Furthermore, compared with TVs, the way projectors screen a video to the audience is actually closer to projectors in cinemas.

General Contrast Enhancer v.s Local Contrast Enhancer

By analyzing the histogram information of an image, regular contrast enhancing methods compute the level curves required for contrast enhancement to achieve a global contrast-enhanced effect. However, contrast enhancement and presentation of details are always a trade-off. 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.

General Contrast Enhancer

When the distribution of image information concentrates on medium brightness, the contrast enhancer adopts an “S-curve,” so that details of both highlights and shadows can be enhanced. Such features are able to give rise to a contrast enhancement effect. However, when the image contains both highlights and shadows, contrast algorithm technology will encounter a bottleneck. If the video content has no room for expansion but contrast enhancement is forcefully imposed, it will lead to loss of highlight or shadow details.

Histogram Analysis and Curve Enhancement

BenQ Local Contrast Enhancer

Underpinned by the aforementioned contrast algorithm technology, local contrast enhancer further divides each image into over 1,000 regions, with each region having independent data and contrast enhancement for the optimization performed by contrast enhancement algorithm.

Better dark detail

Better bright detail

Performance Comparison

Under the original high contrast scenarios, general contrast enhancer is harder to apply. Whereas, the local contrast enhancer is able to perform local contrast enhancement.

In scenarios with large highlight or shadow area, shadows of global contrast enhancer often becomes darker, while the effect of dark detail is not conspicuous. However, local contrast enhancer is able to distinguish highlights and shadows when performing local contrast enhancement.

Original Image

BenQ Local Contrast Enhancer

General Contrast Enhancer

Comparison of Large Highlight Area

In a scene full of highlight area, the local contrast enhancer can perform more details than the general contrast enhancer.

Original Image

BenQ Local Contrast Enhancer

General Contrast Enhancer

Comparison of Large Highlight Area

This picture has both highlights and a large shadow area. The highlights limit the general contrast enhancer so that the details of shadow and contrast enhancement are not much. However, there is no such limitation in the local contrast enhancer so that can perform more contrast and shadow details.

Original Image

BenQ Local Contrast Enhancer

General Contrast Enhancer

How do BenQ Produce Darker Black Level, More Optimized Contrast Details, and Higher Stereo Perception

Based on the aforementioned technological theories, the contrast effect produced by the local contrast enhancer has a higher degree of stereo perception compared with the general contrast enhancer. Sharpness of images is also enhanced. As a company which consistently pursues high-quality video displays, BenQ uses imagery contrast know-how to enhance its HDR-PRO technology. Via professional tuning of ISF and THX certified engineers, BenQ creates darker black level and more optimized contrast details, and optimizes contrasting stereo perception with its leading exclusive technology. This will provide audio-video enthusiasts a richer 4K HDR image depth.

BenQ is committed to recreating authentic colors of images with the utmost clarity, and enhancing its dynamic contrast performance. This allows consumers to see videos in the comfort of their home that are closest to either what movie directors intend to present, or watching films in cinemas.

Learn More

What is BenQ HDR-PRO Technology?

In this article, we will introduce three keys of BenQ HDR-PRO technology: Tone Mapping, Dynamic Iris with DynamicBlack™ Technology, and HDR brightness, including how they are used to display the details in highlights and shadows.

Can Projectors Really Be HDR?

A common doubt among the consumers when facing more and more home theater projectors in the market is if they really can be qualified as HDR devices. Therefore, this article will start from the projectors. Taking the nature of the technology behind projectors and its limitation into account, and find the definition of HDR for projectors.

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What is Local Contrast Enhancement of BenQ HDR-PRO?

General Contrast Enhancer v.s Local Contrast Enhancer

General Contrast Enhancer

Histogram Analysis and Curve Enhancement

BenQ Local Contrast Enhancer

Performance Comparison

Comparison of Large Highlight Area

Comparison of Large Highlight Area

How do BenQ Produce Darker Black Level, More Optimized Contrast Details, and Higher Stereo Perception

Learn More

What is BenQ HDR-PRO Technology?

Can Projectors Really Be HDR?