Could use some help. HDR.

[dstylz1]

I’m currently using a marantz 7704, Optoma uhz 65. Then I use a Sony 800m2 for 4k disc viewing, and an Apple TV for streaming. Doesn’t matter if I watch on the Sony or Apple TV, whenever hdr mode is enabled the image gets WAY darker, and doesn’t look nearly as good as when it’s off. Is there something I’m doing wrong?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Nothing you're doing wrong. When it comes to projectors, they have limited light output as compared to a decent 4K HDR display. This is a problem because HDR needs lots of brightness (as in light output) to look good and perform as intended. Many current TVs are able to output 1,000 nits (or more) of light, which allows for good HDR performance. While your projector can "technically" receive 4K HDR, it likely lacks the capability to properly take that information and utilize it in a way to project an image that approximates a director's intent.

Here's where good mapping enters the picture. Tone mapping is a process that maps one set of colors to another to compensate for a display's limited dynamic range.

Your Sony 4K disc player and Apple TV aren't going to help you in this department. But, a Panasonic UB820 4K player (or the step-up UB9000) has powerful tone mapping abilities that take care of the necessary adjustments before the signal is sent to your projector. You can buy either one (820 is about 1/2 the cost), make the necessary adjustments in the settings menu of the disc player, and you should end up with 4K HDR disc playback that's significantly better.

I'm tagging @Robert Zohn and Steve @mechman, because I think they'll probably have some insights or suggestions to add!

 

[Robert Zohn]

Sorry I'm not very technical on Optoma's UHZ 65. But Todd is correct that projectors not the best for watching HDR content.

Other than having excellent ambient light control and painting the ceiling and wall with flat black paint or even better, wrapping the room in black Duvetyne fabric.. Their is only one other solution to nicely improve your 4K HDR Blu-ray disc playback would be to change your BD player to Panasonic's UB9000P1k 4K HDR Blu-ray player/Smart Streaming device. Panasonic UB9000P1k has their priority HDR Optimizer feature that re-formats the EOTF PQ curve to best match the luminance capability of your projector.

 

[mechman]

I'd assume that the Optoma engages some sort of HDR picture mode when it senses a HDR source. Play around with the settings and try to adjust it to a brighter image. I believe that's a DLP pj so maybe adjust the Brilliant Color setting some? Look for a setting called Dynamic Blacks and adjust that to your liking as well. You should be able to get an acceptable picture that way. And maybe see if there's a way you can bypass the HDR mode as it may be engaging some sort of brightness crushing filter for the expanded gamut.

On my Epson, I rarely watch HDR/DV content in one of the HDR modes lately. I've found the much brighter Dynamic mode calibrates well and offers almost 3X the brightness. I do lose the wide color gamut but I prefer the brighter highlights.

You also may want to look into an HD Fury device to spoof your Sony into thinking your projector is Dolby Vision capable. I've heard this is a much better solution than upgrading to Panasonic player. I use one with my setup (I have the X700 player) and I can verify that it works.