
The algorithm pays particular attention to SDR luminance data. How Auto HDR worksĪuto HDR uses an algorithm to analyze an standard dynamic range (SDR) image and convert it to HDR.

You will need a solid HDR monitor to see an improvement. As a result, HDR tends to look very dull and doesn’t show much detail. The XV340CK supports HDR input but can’t even hit 400 nits of brightness. I used Samsung’s cutting-edge Odyssey G9 Neo super-ultrawide for most of my testing, but I also tried Auto HDR on Acer’s budget-friendly XV340CK ultrawide. Our guide to HDR on the PC explains everything you need to know about the technology, including what you should look for in an HDR monitor. Entry-level HDR monitors also have a narrow color gamut that can’t display the full range of HDR color. The majority deliver a maximum brightness of about 400 nits, at best, and budget models routinely fall below that. HDR monitors are not hard to find, but most HDR monitors are rather bad at HDR. While Auto HDR will work on any HDR monitor, the benefits depend on your monitor. Select Use Auto HDR with supported games to turn on Auto HDR. Press the Windows + G keys to bring up the game bar, select Settings (represented by a gear icon), then open Gaming Features. You can also turn on Auto HDR through the Windows Game Bar. (Here’s a step-by-step guide to turning on Auto HDR in Windows 11.) Some games will prompt you to turn Auto HDR on when launched if the feature is off. The Auto HDR toggle is found in the Display menu alongside the HDR switch. Here’s how to get Windows 11 for cheap (or even for free) How to use Auto HDRĪuto HDR is a standard feature of Windows 11 and is available when high dynamic range (HDR) is turned on. Here’s everything you need to know, from the hardware you need to how to set it up, along with image quality comparisons with the feature on and off, and comparisons of how Windows 11’s Auto HDR compares to the version offered on the Xbox. We’ve dug deep into Windows 11’s Auto HDR to find the answer.

That’s sure to have PC gamers eyeing an upgrade to Windows 11. The feature promises to make older titles look just as bright and vibrant as newer HDR-compatible releases without a major hit to performance. Windows 11 brings Auto HDR, first introduced on the Xbox Series X|S consoles, to the PC.
