High Dynamic Range, commonly known as HDR, has become one of the most significant advances in television picture quality since the transition to high definition. When you're shopping for a 65 inch TV, you'll encounter multiple HDR formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG. Understanding what these formats mean—and which ones actually matter—will help you make an informed purchasing decision.
This guide cuts through the marketing jargon to explain exactly what HDR is, how the different formats compare, and what you should look for in an Australian television in 2026.
What Is HDR?
HDR stands for High Dynamic Range, and it refers to a TV's ability to display a wider range of brightness levels and colours than standard dynamic range (SDR) content. In practical terms, HDR delivers brighter highlights, deeper blacks, and more nuanced detail in both shadows and bright areas.
Think of a sunset scene in a movie. With SDR, the TV might struggle to show both the bright sun and the darker foreground simultaneously—one will be compromised. With HDR, both can be displayed accurately, creating an image that more closely resembles what your eyes see in the real world.
For HDR to work, you need three things: content mastered in HDR, a TV capable of displaying HDR, and a compatible connection between the source and display.
HDR10: The Universal Standard
HDR10 is the baseline HDR format and is supported by virtually every HDR-capable television, streaming service, and Blu-ray disc. When people talk about "HDR" generically, they usually mean HDR10.
How HDR10 Works
HDR10 uses static metadata—information about the content's brightness levels that's set once for the entire movie or show. This tells your TV the maximum brightness and colour range to expect, allowing it to optimise its display accordingly.
- Advantages: Universal compatibility, no licensing fees, wide content availability
- Limitations: Static metadata can't adjust for scene-by-scene variations
- Used by: Most streaming services, all 4K Blu-rays, gaming consoles
Every TV that supports any form of HDR will support HDR10. It's the foundation upon which all other formats build.
Dolby Vision: The Premium Choice
Dolby Vision is a proprietary HDR format developed by Dolby Laboratories. It's considered the most advanced HDR format currently available and is supported by most premium televisions including LG OLED, Sony Bravia, and high-end models from TCL and Hisense.
Dynamic Metadata
The key advantage of Dolby Vision is dynamic metadata, which adjusts brightness and colour information on a scene-by-scene or even frame-by-frame basis. This means a dark interior scene can be optimised differently from a bright outdoor scene in the same film, ensuring optimal picture quality throughout.
- Advantages: Scene-by-scene optimisation, supports higher peak brightness, 12-bit colour depth
- Limitations: Requires licensing (cost passed to consumers), not universal
- Used by: Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, select 4K Blu-rays
HDR10+: Samsung's Answer
HDR10+ is Samsung's response to Dolby Vision, offering dynamic metadata without the licensing fees that Dolby charges. It's an open standard that other manufacturers can adopt freely, though Samsung remains its primary proponent.
How It Compares
In practice, HDR10+ delivers similar benefits to Dolby Vision—scene-by-scene optimisation for better picture quality. However, its content library is smaller, and fewer streaming services support it compared to Dolby Vision.
- Advantages: Dynamic metadata, royalty-free for manufacturers
- Limitations: Limited content availability, primarily Samsung and Amazon support
- Used by: Amazon Prime Video, select 4K Blu-rays
If you have a Samsung TV, HDR10+ is valuable for Amazon Prime content. For most other viewers, Dolby Vision offers broader content support and should be the priority when choosing a TV.
HLG: For Broadcast Television
Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) is an HDR format designed specifically for live broadcast television. Unlike other HDR formats, HLG is backward compatible with SDR displays and doesn't require metadata—making it ideal for live events like sports broadcasts.
In Australia, HLG is particularly relevant for free-to-air broadcasts on SBS and ABC, as well as streaming services that carry live content.
- Advantages: Backward compatible with SDR TVs, no metadata required, ideal for live broadcasts
- Limitations: Not as visually impressive as Dolby Vision or HDR10+
- Used by: BBC iPlayer, YouTube live, Australian free-to-air in some regions
Which HDR Formats Matter Most?
For Australian consumers in 2026, here's how to prioritise HDR formats:
Essential: HDR10. This is non-negotiable—every HDR TV supports it, and it's the fallback for most content.
Highly Recommended: Dolby Vision. Most streaming services offer Dolby Vision versions of their top content. Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+ all support it extensively.
Nice to Have: HLG. Useful for broadcast content and YouTube, though the visual improvement is subtle compared to other formats.
Situational: HDR10+. Valuable if you subscribe to Amazon Prime Video and use a Samsung TV, but not essential otherwise.
How to Get HDR Content
Having an HDR TV is only half the equation—you need HDR content to watch. Here's where to find it in Australia:
- Netflix: HDR10 and Dolby Vision on Premium tier
- Disney+: Dolby Vision and HDR10
- Apple TV+: Dolby Vision (often with Dolby Atmos audio)
- Stan: HDR10 on select titles
- Amazon Prime Video: HDR10+ and Dolby Vision
- 4K Blu-ray: HDR10 on all discs, Dolby Vision on select titles
- Gaming: HDR10 on PS5 and Xbox Series X, with Dolby Vision gaming on Xbox
What About TV Capabilities?
Supporting an HDR format doesn't mean a TV will display it well. A TV's peak brightness, contrast ratio, and colour volume determine how impressive HDR actually looks. A budget TV with "HDR support" might not get bright enough to make HDR content look meaningfully different from SDR.
For genuinely impressive HDR performance, look for TVs that achieve at least 600 nits peak brightness for LED models, or choose OLED where the infinite contrast compensates for lower peak brightness.
Check that your TV is Dolby Vision certified—not just "Dolby Vision compatible." Certification means the TV has passed Dolby's quality standards and will display the format correctly.
Future of HDR
HDR technology continues to evolve. Dolby Vision IQ, which adjusts HDR based on your room's ambient light, is becoming more common. HDR10+ Adaptive offers similar functionality. As OLED and Mini LED technologies improve, TVs are getting brighter, making HDR's benefits more pronounced.
For now, focus on buying a TV with strong HDR10 and Dolby Vision support. These formats will remain dominant for years to come, ensuring your investment continues to deliver stunning picture quality well into the future.
Conclusion
HDR represents a genuine advancement in television picture quality—when done right. Prioritise Dolby Vision support when shopping for a 65 inch TV, ensure the TV has the brightness and contrast to do HDR justice, and subscribe to streaming services that offer HDR content. With these elements in place, you'll experience movies, shows, and games with visual fidelity that wasn't possible just a few years ago.