HDR Shadow Detail Test

Combines low-luminance geometric structures with bright specular reference stars to evaluate dynamic range separation and tone-mapping shadow preservation.

Technical Scope & Limitations

Synthetic test scene. Clearly labeled as SDR reference fallback if true HDR pipeline is unavailable.

Browser rendering output can be influenced by OS display scaling, GPU driver color settings, and active HDR profiles.

Testing Instructions

Examine the subtle low-luminance steps inside the shadowed geometry.
Check if the presence of the bright reference objects causes dark areas to crush or wash out.
Ensure subtle textures remain visible in both dark and lit areas.

Interaction Controls

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HDR Mixed-Contrast Shadow ScenePress ESC to exit

What This Test Checks

Dark shadow detail preservation in scenes containing simultaneous high-luminance elements.
Tone-mapping curve stability under high ABL (Auto Brightness Limiter) or zone dimming pressure.
Prevention of shadow clipping caused by aggressive contrast expansion.

How to Perform the Test

Enter fullscreen mode in a dimly lit viewing environment.
Observe the mid-gray and deep dark zones while keeping the bright white elements in peripheral vision.
Check whether fine textures in dark areas wash out or plunge into black.

What to Look For

Shadow details should remain visible and separate from background black even when high-nit white blocks are on screen.

Common Display Problems & Diagnostic Guidance

Dynamic Tone Mapping Over-Darkening

Certain monitor dynamic tone-mapping modes darken entire dark scenes when a single small specular highlight is detected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is tone mapping in HDR?

Tone mapping is the algorithm displays use to scale HDR content encoded for 1000 or 4000 nits down to the physical brightness capabilities of your screen.