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2018-10-22, 17:05
(This post was last modified: 2018-10-22, 17:06 by Warner306.)
The Windows OS HDR method works and is reliable, but it isn't very user-friendly. I'm not sure if afedchin would want to add Windows HDR support to Kodi as a temporary solution. For one, it would require some instruction inside Kodi if it was available because it causes incorrect playback of SDR content. Two, you would have to exit Kodi, enable HDR, go back to Kodi, play an HDR video and then exit Kodi again to disable HDR before playing SDR content. Using a desktop media player for HDR content could be just as easy.
Improvements in HDR video support for Windows could be slow because of the lack of current HDR video content on Windows and the absence of any cheap HDR computer monitors and laptops. Improving Windows HDR for grey market or illegal 4K UHD Blu-ray rips is not likely. 4K video games, by comparison, are not impacted nearly as much.
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I'd like to think it would be as simple as Kodi switching on the Windows HDR setting when playing HDR media, but I dont think its as easy as that (please correct me if I'm wrong). I'm pretty sure Kodi has to do more to pass through HDR.
The Windows method always seems wrong to me - Windows should not be upscaling SDR content or contantly running in HDR mode. Modern TV's are totally capable of auto switching, which mine does perfectly when using Chromecast or Amazon etc. Trying to remap the color space (Rec 709 vs Rec 2020) on the system is always going to give a quality trade off vs allowing the display to handle it.
I have a very small amount of HDR content and found it easier to use an external player for the time being, allowing Kodi to handle all SDR content internally.
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As far as I know, Kodi can't control the Windows OS HDR setting. It will always be a manual switch until some suitable API was made available.
I don't know why the decision was made to force HDR output, but that was the first attempt. This is still the early adopter stage of HDR media, so it isn't completely surprising that the experience isn't yet streamlined.
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Hi jools5000, thanl you for reply...
Maybe I am wrong, but I think it should be possible to switch HDR on / off.
If I HDR on windows is on, KODI is switching HDR off by starting it. So there must be a option to switch on/off by apps. ...right? hope they will find a solution soon...
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I've actually gotten Kodi to output 8-bit HDR once or twice on accident...don't ask me how. But it could have something to do with my PC going into sleep mode with Kodi running, but really not sure. At the same time, it seemed that the Windows HDR output was a little screwy, so when I toggled it off/on it seemed to force Kodi into non-HDR mode again.
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I have exactly the same problem after the update. The white level is to high on some 4k movies and others not. I have no clue to whats the problem
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And another thing I don't have an HDR tv so the settings in windows are of by default so i don't think that's the solution.