> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/yuliskov/SmartTube/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# HDR Configuration

> HDR support requirements, compatible formats, troubleshooting washed-out HDR, and device-specific limitations in SmartTube

HDR (High Dynamic Range) provides enhanced color depth and brightness range for supported content. SmartTube supports HDR playback, but it requires compatible hardware throughout your entire video chain.

## HDR Requirements

HDR works **only if your entire hardware chain supports it**. This is a complicated requirement with multiple potential points of failure.

<Warning>
  **All components must support HDR** - if any single component in the chain lacks HDR support, HDR will not work.
</Warning>

### Hardware Chain Requirements

<Steps>
  <Step title="TV Must Support HDR">
    Your television must have HDR capability:

    * Check your TV specifications for HDR10, HDR10+, or Dolby Vision support
    * Most TVs from 2017 onwards support at least HDR10
    * Budget TVs may lack HDR support even if recent
  </Step>

  <Step title="HDMI Cable Must Support HDR">
    If using a TV box, your HDMI cable must support HDR:

    * **HDMI 2.0a or newer** required for HDR
    * Older HDMI cables (HDMI 1.4 or earlier) do not support HDR
    * Yes, cable versions really matter!
    * Use a certified Premium High Speed HDMI cable or Ultra High Speed HDMI cable

    <Info>
      There truly are different HDMI cable versions with different HDR support capabilities. It's complicated, but necessary.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="TV Box Must Support HDR">
    If you're using an external Android TV box:

    * The device must have HDR decoding capability
    * Check device specifications for HDR10 support
    * Not all Android TV boxes support HDR
  </Step>

  <Step title="Device Must Support YouTube's HDR Format">
    The device must support the **specific HDR format** used by YouTube:

    * YouTube uses HDR10 (PQ transfer function)
    * Some devices support HDR but not YouTube's specific format
    * See device limitations section below
  </Step>
</Steps>

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="TV" icon="tv">
    Must support HDR10 or better
  </Card>

  <Card title="HDMI Cable" icon="cable-car">
    HDMI 2.0a or newer
  </Card>

  <Card title="TV Box" icon="box">
    HDR decoding + YouTube format
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## HDR Formats and YouTube

YouTube uses specific HDR formats that may not be supported by all devices claiming "HDR support."

<Accordion title="YouTube HDR Format Compatibility">
  **YouTube's HDR Implementation:**

  * YouTube uses **HDR10** with PQ (Perceptual Quantizer) transfer function
  * Also known as SMPTE ST 2084
  * This is different from other HDR formats like HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma)

  **What this means:**

  * A device might support HDR for other apps but not for YouTube
  * YouTube HDR support is not universal even among HDR-capable devices
  * Always verify "YouTube HDR" compatibility specifically
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="HDR Format Types">
  Common HDR formats:

  | Format | YouTube Support | Notes |
  | :- | :- | :- |
  | **HDR10** | ✅ Yes | YouTube's primary HDR format |
  | **HDR10+** | ✅ Yes | Dynamic metadata, backward compatible with HDR10 |
  | **Dolby Vision** | ❌ No | Not used by YouTube |
  | **HLG** | ❌ No | Broadcast format, not used by YouTube |

  <Info>
    SmartTube plays YouTube content, so only HDR10/HDR10+ compatibility matters for SmartTube users.
  </Info>
</Accordion>

## Device-Specific Limitations

### NVIDIA Shield

<Warning>
  **NVIDIA Shield does not support YouTube HDR** despite supporting HDR in general.
</Warning>

<Accordion title="Why NVIDIA Shield Doesn't Work with YouTube HDR">
  The NVIDIA Shield has a specific limitation:

  * ✅ The Shield **does** support HDR in general
  * ✅ The Shield can play HDR content from many sources
  * ❌ The Shield does **not** support the specific HDR format that YouTube uses
  * ❌ This is a hardware/driver limitation, not a SmartTube issue

  **There is no workaround** - this is a fundamental incompatibility between NVIDIA Shield hardware and YouTube's HDR implementation.

  <Tip>
    If YouTube HDR is important to you, consider a different Android TV device like Chromecast with Google TV (4K model) or a newer Android TV with certified YouTube HDR support.
  </Tip>
</Accordion>

### Other Devices

<Accordion title="Fire TV Stick">
  **Fire TV Stick 4K and newer:**

  * ✅ Supports HDR10 and HDR10+
  * ✅ Works with YouTube HDR content
  * ❌ Older Fire TV Stick models (non-4K) do not support HDR

  Verify your specific Fire TV model specifications.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Chromecast with Google TV">
  **Chromecast with Google TV (4K):**

  * ✅ Supports HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision
  * ✅ Excellent YouTube HDR support
  * ✅ One of the best devices for YouTube HDR

  **Chromecast with Google TV (HD):**

  * ❌ Does not support HDR (1080p model)

  Make sure you have the 4K model for HDR.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Generic Android TV Boxes">
  **Compatibility varies widely:**

  * Check manufacturer specifications for "HDR10 support"
  * Look for explicit "YouTube HDR" or "HDR10" certification
  * Cheap no-name boxes often claim HDR but don't support it properly
  * Read user reviews about HDR performance

  <Warning>
    Many cheap Android TV boxes falsely advertise HDR support. Verify with user reviews before purchasing.
  </Warning>
</Accordion>

## Troubleshooting HDR Issues

### HDR Looks Washed Out or Dim

<Accordion title="Fixing Washed Out HDR">
  If HDR videos look dim or washed out, the issue is likely with your TV settings, not SmartTube.

  <Steps>
    <Step title="Check TV HDR Mode">
      * Verify HDR is actually enabled on your TV
      * Check if your TV switched to HDR mode (usually shows an indicator)
      * Some TVs require manual HDR mode activation
    </Step>

    <Step title="Adjust TV Picture Settings">
      * Increase brightness/backlight settings
      * Adjust contrast for HDR mode
      * Many TVs have separate settings for HDR vs SDR content
      * Consult this guide: [Wired - HDR Too Dark Fix](https://www.wired.com/story/hdr-too-dark-how-to-fix-it/)
    </Step>

    <Step title="Verify HDMI Input">
      * Check your TV's HDMI input settings
      * Some TVs require enabling "Enhanced HDMI" or "HDMI UHD Color"
      * This is usually in TV settings under HDMI options
    </Step>
  </Steps>

  <Info>
    Different TV manufacturers use different names: "HDMI Deep Color," "Enhanced Format," "UHD Color," or "Full UHD" - check your TV manual.
  </Info>
</Accordion>

### HDR Not Working

<Accordion title="HDR Content Not Playing in HDR">
  **Diagnosis steps:**

  1. **Verify the video actually has HDR:**
     * Not all YouTube videos have HDR versions
     * Look for "HDR" in the quality selector
     * Search for "HDR test" videos on YouTube
  2. **Check all hardware components:**
     * TV supports HDR10 (check specifications)
     * HDMI cable is version 2.0a or newer
     * TV box/device supports HDR10
     * All components properly connected
  3. **Enable HDR on TV:**
     * Check TV settings for HDMI HDR enablement
     * Look for "Enhanced HDMI," "HDMI UHD Color," or similar
     * Enable for the HDMI port you're using
  4. **Verify device compatibility:**
     * Some devices don't support YouTube's HDR format
     * Check device-specific limitations (see above)
     * NVIDIA Shield notably does not work with YouTube HDR

  <Warning>
    If HDR is not working, it's probably not SmartTube's fault. The issue is almost always hardware compatibility or configuration.
  </Warning>
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="How to Test HDR">
  **Testing your HDR setup:**

  1. Search YouTube for "HDR test" or "4K HDR"
  2. Select a video with HDR in the title
  3. Press the **HQ** button while playing
  4. Look for quality options labeled with **"HDR"**
  5. Select an HDR quality option
  6. Your TV should display an HDR indicator (varies by brand)

  **Good test videos:**

  * "4K HDR Sample" videos
  * "HDR vs SDR Comparison" videos
  * "YouTube HDR Test" videos

  <Tip>
    Your TV should show an on-screen indicator when HDR content is playing (e.g., "HDR," "HDR10," or a Dolby Vision logo).
  </Tip>
</Accordion>

## HDR Best Practices

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Verify Full Chain" icon="link">
    Test each component individually: TV HDR capability, HDMI cable version, and device HDR support.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use Quality Cables" icon="cable-car">
    Don't cheap out on HDMI cables - use certified Premium High Speed or Ultra High Speed cables.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Enable Enhanced HDMI" icon="tv">
    Check your TV settings and enable "Enhanced HDMI" or "UHD Color" for the HDMI port you're using.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Calibrate TV Settings" icon="sliders">
    Adjust brightness and contrast specifically for HDR mode - don't use SDR settings.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Additional Resources

<Card title="Video Quality Settings" icon="gear" href="/configuration/video-quality">
  Learn about resolution and quality settings for optimal playback
</Card>

<Card title="Video Codecs" icon="film" href="/configuration/video-codecs">
  Understand which codecs work best with HDR content on your device
</Card>

<Note>
  For device-specific HDR troubleshooting, search the web for "HDR" plus your device name. Each device has unique quirks and requirements.
</Note>