Variability of Diffuse White Levels in HDR

On the left, SDR is very uniform, with mean diffuse white sitting at around 60 nits, while HDR shows high variability. A range of content, from indoor and outdoor sports, stand up comedy, nature programs and talk shows to movies was included. The variability in luminance range is indicative of greater creative freedom in the HDR grade. From a study by Erik Reinhard, formerly Distinguished Scientist, Technicolor, presented at a SMPTE conference in 2018.