HDR10 vs HDR10+ vs Dolby Vision: Which Format Works Best for Your TV?

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a favorite source On Google.

ZDNET Highlights

• HDR10 is the baseline format on almost all modern TVs.
• HDR10+ and Dolby Vision use dynamic metadata for better visuals.
• TVs with both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision offer wide support.

Buying a TV today means knowing terms like HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. Believe it or not, these aren’t just TV buzzwords, and they aren’t even the same thing. Although they are all HDR (High Dynamic Range) formats, they work in different ways.

Also: The best TVs to buy in 2026

The difference depends on how each format uses metadata to control brightness and color. HDR10 uses static metadata, which applies a set of instructions to the entire movie or show, while HDR10+ and Dolby Vision use dynamic metadata that adjusts the picture by scene. Simply put, HDR10 is one size fits all, while HDR10+ and Dolby Vision make the image better.

HDR10 vs HDR10+ vs Dolby Vision explained

Let’s go into a little more detail, and I’ll also highlight some TV brands and popular models that support these formats.

HDR10

In 2026, HDR10 is considered the baseline HDR format for almost all TVs. It originated over a decade ago and is an open standard that is supported by almost every HDR-capable TV. Since HDR10 was the first widely supported HDR format, most HDR content is delivered in HDR10. Even when content is available in HDR10+ or ​​Dolby Vision, it is usually offered in HDR10 as well.

Too: I wore the world’s first HDR10 smart glasses, and they could easily replace my home TV

The main thing to know about HDR10 is that it uses static metadata rather than dynamic. It does not adjust the picture on a scene-by-scene basis. Instead, static metadata is applied once to the entire movie or show, so your TV uses one set of brightness and color ranges for the entire runtime. As a result, picture quality depends heavily on your TV and its tone-mapping capabilities.

With HDR10, very bright or very dark scenes may not be fully optimized on your TV. For example, in some cases, your TV may dim the entire image to preserve highlights, resulting in a flat or compressed look.

You’ll have to look closely to find new TV models that only support HDR10, as almost all sets now offer the advanced HDR10+ format, which debuted in 2017. Some more affordable options, like TCL T7 series And Sony’s Bravia 2 series Specifically list HDR10. But I also noticed that LG is more expensive Class OLED Evo C4 Series Offers HDR10.

However, overall, almost all new TVs have HDR10+.

HDR10+

HDR10+ is an upgrade to HDR10 that was introduced nine years ago by a Samsung-led consortium that also included Amazon, and later Panasonic and 20th Century Fox. almost all new samsung tv Supports HDR10+, and many other manufacturers include it too.

The main benefit of HDR10+ is dynamic metadata, which allows your TV to adjust tone mapping, including brightness and color, on a scene-by-scene or frame-by-frame basis. It offers a notable visual improvement over standard HDR10 by preserving more detail in highlights and shadows and automatically adapting as your movie or show progresses.

Also: I saw the future of TV in Samsung’s South Korea lab — and I’m excited for these 3 things

Most major streaming services now offer HDR10+ content, including amazon prime video, Netflix, apple tv+, Disney+And Hulu. If your TV supports HDR10+, it can automatically detect this content and apply dynamic metadata when available.

Only on HDR10 TVs, HDR10+ content plays as standard HDR10.

Apart from Samsung, HDR10+ is available on new models from most brands Hisense And visioOften with Dolby Vision. Like HDR10, HDR10+ is limited to 10-bit color. This means it has fewer manufacturer controls than Dolby Vision and no profile variety.

dolby vision

Dolby Vision was the first HDR format to be introduced, developed by Dolby Laboratories in 2014.

Like HDR10+, it uses dynamic metadata to continuously optimize tone mapping on a scene-by-scene or frame-by-frame basis. The main difference is that Dolby Vision supports 12-bit color and higher peak brightness, giving Dolby Vision TVs clear instructions about how colors should look, how bright scenes should be, and how shadows and highlights are controlled.

For content, similar to HDR10+, Dolby Vision is supported by most major streaming services amazon prime video, Netflix, apple tv+, Disney+, HuluAnd paramount+. If it supports HDR10+, it probably supports Dolby Vision.

Also: This popular streaming service is getting a free Dolby Vision upgrade — and it’s a big deal

Dolby Vision comes in different versions depending on where you’re watching, whether it’s streaming or 4K Blu-ray. Some include additional picture data, which can result in smoother colors and a more detailed, refined image.

Because of these benefits, many TV manufacturers often include Dolby Vision with HDR10+ in their high-end models. You will get Dolby Vision on TV lg, Sony, HisenseWhat’s more, it’s a notable holdout since Samsung introduced HDR10+.

If your TV doesn’t support Dolby Vision, content defaults to HDR10.

Which HDR format should you choose?

If your TV is made in the last 10 years, it should support at least HDR10.

Also: Do ​​you have a Samsung TV? I changed these 6 settings to speed up the entire system

If you want the best overall experience, consider a TV that supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+. This way, your TV can use dynamic metadata to improve HDR performance and provide broader compatibility with content.