Ed’s AV Handbook
Saving the world from poor fidelity
HDR Ultra-HDTV
Part 7 System compatibility.
Ultra-HDTV home theater system compatibility is critical.
All components and interconnecting cables must be capable of passing an 18Gbps Ultra-HD video signal.
This includes the source component, AV receiver, AV preamp, plus the TV or Projector.
However, the ISF’s Joel Silver has discovered that many AV receivers and switchers lack 18Gbps bandwidth. Many squeeze a 13.5Gbps UHD Blu-ray down to a 9Gbps standard dynamic range image. In some cases screens ‘blank out’ except for the text message “Incompatible Signal”.
TV setup is another issue. The ‘Deep Color’ setting in the TV’s menu must be enabled for the playback of Ultra-HD HDR Blu-ray discs. This may also require a reboot of the TV.
Then beware of TVs advertised as “HDR enabled” or “HDR compatible”. They may recognize HDR content. And they will produce an image. But they do not process HDR content. “HDR-enabled TVs” “de-tune” HDR content to standard dynamic range performance. This process is referred to as “Color Mapping” or “Tone Mapping”.
Therefore I offer this recommendation. Set up all UltraHD systems at your shop to confirm performance.
Even if the product spec sheets state all is good. This simple rule will avoid an embarrassing situation.
Hurry up and get to the chorus
Customers do not pay for lectures. They just want to have fun. Indeed, you must meet, greet, and qualify customers. But keep buzzwords to a minimum. Assess their wants and make your recommendations. Then, as they say in the music world, “Hurry up and get to the chorus”. Let an HDR Ultra-HD home theater demonstration sing for itself.
That concludes this 7-part blog.