I will be interested to see one of these to see how much difference it makes. If it really can display "whiter than white" then it may be a useful feature.
As soon as you've got a high quality HDR monitor or TV that can do over 2000 nits (cd/m2), you could probably see a difference in dynamic range even with 8 bits and HD resolution.
As I mentioned above, the issue is that 8-bit screens can't be made too bright because then any graphic that displays information on a white background will have too much glare. The industry has standardized around "white" on 8-bit displays as being a valid background colour, which prevents it from being rendered as bright as real-life objects such as lights.
You're talking about a slightly different thing it seems, but nevermind, I think I've already depleted my geekery and bickering quota for this holiday weekend.
Just wait and see. Literally. Meanwhile, let's just enjoy the holidays.
3D is an example of a format that hasn't lived up to expectations, HDR video is arguably less compelling for most typical consumers.
3D and the forthcoming HDR video are like a toilet and a Ferrari. They have about as much in common –you enjoy both in a sitting position. You don't have to embrace HDR video but don't be surprised if quite a few people will, eventually.
Other than that, I don't see much point in arguing about things we don't even have yet. Let's just wait and see. I for one am looking forward to the new HDR video standards and devices, hopefully soon-ish. You don't have to, it's quite okay.
It remains to be seen whether consumers will have ready access to HDR content from major TV and film producers that would make the format commercially viable.
Looks like the producers had little difficulties in providing the same content both as a regular DVD, then Blu-Ray and now as a downloadable or streaming HD video. Yet another chance to cash in again with the same content with minimal effort, I think they'll take it. Like they have done ever since the VHS videotapes. Today anyone can make their own Blu-Ray discs. The new HDR content is likely to downgrade gracefully to lower standards, anyway.
Even as a content producer, I don't think I'd be too eager to generate HDR productions until I was sure the format had staying power. There's a lot of change going on in the industry and I'm skeptical that all of it will stick.
You do just that. Meanwhile, like I said above, I won't be 'generating any special HDR productions,' either. I'll just keep on shooting as good stuff as I can, with gear that has as much dynamic range and colour depth as possible natively, within my budget.
I don't see much point in worrying about re-grading the footage for new gamma curves before there is a need for it. I just try to make sure that the footage has enough latitude for a possible re-grade later. Hopefully compelling enough content, too. That doesn't really hurt today, either.
Although the compelling content is the actual tricky part for sure, as always.
I was pretty sceptical about the gimmicky 3D video and TV's at the time, too, but I think this is different, and in this case my glass is half full, rather than half empty. We'll see, eventually.
