If you’ve been TV shopping lately, you’ve probably seen terms like HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision thrown around. Sounds fancy—but what do they actually do, and which one should you care about?
In this guide, we’re breaking down the major HDR formats in plain English, so you’ll know exactly what to look for whether you’re buying a Samsung, LG, or Sony TV—or just bingeing Netflix in style.
What Even Is HDR?
HDR stands for High Dynamic Range, and it’s all about improving picture quality—specifically by boosting contrast, brightness, and color detail. HDR makes bright scenes pop and dark scenes look way less muddy than Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) ever could.
HDR10 – The Basic but Reliable One
HDR10 is the most common HDR format. It’s:
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Open source (aka free for everyone)
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Uses static metadata (same tone mapping settings for the whole video)
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Supported by almost every 4K TV, Blu-ray player, and game console
Best for:
People who want reliable HDR support without paying for premium features.
HDR10+ – Samsung’s Upgrade
HDR10+, created by Samsung and Amazon, takes HDR10 and gives it a boost:
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Uses dynamic metadata, so your TV adjusts settings scene-by-scene
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Brighter highlights, better shadow detail vs HDR10
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Found mostly on Samsung TVs and Amazon Prime Video
Best for:
Samsung TV owners and anyone who watches a lot of Prime Video.
Dolby Vision – The Fancy One
Dolby Vision is the premium HDR format:
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Uses dynamic metadata like HDR10+—but better color depth (up to 12-bit)
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Supports up to 10,000 nits peak brightness (your TV probably won’t hit that, but still)
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Found on LG, Sony, TCL, Hisense, Xbox Series X, Apple TV, Netflix, Disney+
Best for:
People who want the absolute best picture quality for movies and streaming.
Quick Side-by-Side Breakdown
| Feature | HDR10 | HDR10+ | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metadata Type | Static | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Bit Depth | 10-bit | 10-bit | Up to 12-bit |
| Max Brightness | ~1,000 nits | Up to 4,000 nits | Up to 10,000 nits |
| TV Support | Nearly all | Samsung, TCL (few) | LG, Sony, TCL |
| Streaming | Netflix, etc. | Prime Video | Netflix, Disney+ |
| Gaming | Yes | Yes | Xbox Series X only |
So Which One’s Actually Better?
It depends on your TV brand and what you watch.
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Samsung TV? HDR10+ is what you get (Samsung doesn’t support Dolby Vision).
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LG/Sony TV? Dolby Vision is the winner.
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TCL/Hisense? Many support both—lucky you!
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Gaming on Xbox Series X? Dolby Vision is supported, especially on newer games.
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Just streaming? Dolby Vision is more widely supported across Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV.
Is It Worth Upgrading Just for HDR Format?
Only if you’re into top-tier visuals or future-proofing your setup. That said, a good HDR10+ or Dolby Vision experience still depends on your TV’s brightness, color accuracy, and processor—not just the format.
If you’re on a budget, even regular HDR10 looks great on a quality panel.
FAQs
Q: Can my TV do both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision?
A: Most don’t. It’s usually one or the other. Only a few TCL and Hisense models support both.
Q: Does HDR impact input lag or gaming performance?
A: Slightly, but most modern TVs have a Game Mode that handles HDR well.
Q: Can I watch Dolby Vision content on a Samsung TV?
A: Yes, but it’ll fall back to HDR10 since Samsung doesn’t support Dolby Vision natively.
Final Thoughts
If you want the best of the best for movies, go Dolby Vision. If you’re rocking a Samsung or just want reliable HDR, HDR10+ or HDR10 will still give you a solid experience.
Helpful Community Threads & Resources
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r/4kTV – Great advice on HDR formats and TV model compatibility
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AVS Forum – Deep dives and user reviews for HDR performance
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r/hometheater – Home theater setup tips and HDR optimization
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