VISUAL INSPECTIONhdr
2 min
Client-Side Local
HDR Banding Inspection
Differentiates intentional test quantization steps from unintended hardware/driver color banding. Evaluates 8-bit vs 10-bit color pipelines.
Technical Scope & Limitations
Visual inspection. OS display settings (such as 8-bit + dithering vs 10-bit native) affect observed banding.
Browser rendering output can be influenced by OS display scaling, GPU driver color settings, and active HDR profiles.
Testing Instructions
- Observe the continuous gradients in dark, mid-tone, and highlight regions.
- Check for visible stepping, contour lines, or false color streaks.
- Compare continuous mode with stepped reference mode.
Interaction Controls
Next Pattern
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Mouse / TouchTap screen to cycle
Pattern 1 of 10: Black to White
Select Gradient Pattern
Orientation:
What This Test Checks
- Quantization banding in HDR highlight and shadow ramps.
- Display pipeline bit-depth truncations (8-bit vs 10-bit color pipelines).
- Comparison between smooth continuous ramps and intentional quantization step references.
How to Perform the Test
- Enter fullscreen mode and select the continuous gradient mode.
- Carefully inspect the transitions between brightness shades.
- Toggle stepped modes to confirm whether banding lines are artifacts or intended test steps.
What to Look For
- Visible contour lines or "stripes" in continuous mode indicate display bit-depth or color-processing quantization.
Common Display Problems & Diagnostic Guidance
GPU Color Format Settings
In your graphics control panel, ensure Output Color Depth is set to 10 bpc (bits per channel) and Output Dynamic Range is set to Full.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does HDR content sometimes have worse banding than SDR?
HDR encodes a vastly larger dynamic range (up to 10,000 nits). If squeezed into an 8-bit signal without proper dithering, the steps between brightness levels become wider and more noticeable.