Technicolor unveils HDR and SDR compatibility solution

Technicolor has launched what it describes as a High Dynamic Range (HDR) single-layer solution that is compatible with MPEG HEVC standards and backwards compatible with legacy Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) displays.

Technicolor’s technology enables the coding and delivery of HDR content in a single stream to accurately display the content regardless of the display type.  Designed for broadcasters, pay-tv operators and OTT streaming services looking to migrate to HDR video, it allows for the storage and delivery of one video file, which plays back on legacy SDR TVs and new HDR TVs coming to market, according to the company.

The solution comprises an HDR pre-processing step, which Technicolor says will work with any HEVC compatible video encoder and a post-processor on devices after the video decoder.

The single-stream solution provides a method for supporting delivery of HDR content to the consumer market that is not dependent on consumer adoption of HDR-ready devices, according to the company.

Technicolor has submitted the solution for standardization to the Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG).Testing is already underway with providers of hardware video decoders for devices, including Marvell Technology, MStar Semiconductor and STMicroelectronics.

“Today the option to view HDR content is an either-or scenario depending on screen display, which creates duplicity and inefficiencies in delivering content to the consumer,” said Mark Turner, vice president partnership relations and business development, Technicolor.

“Our single-layer technology looks to address such challenges, dramatically reducing storage and bandwidth costs by eliminating the need for two delivery systems, which will mean more consumers will enjoy the benefits of HDR sooner and on more screens.”