The BBC will usher broadcast TV into the HDR age

Alongside 4K, HDR is the future of video, but until now its use has been confined to streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Now a new trial conducted by the BBC and LG at SES Industry Days in Luxembourg is looking to change thing by bringing the color clarity of HDR to non-streaming digital broadcasts.

HDR content essentially has a higher peak brightness level, and a darker range for blacks. The result is a broader range of brightness available, leading to brighter whites and blacks that are truly black rather than a milky gray.

• Read our introduction to HDR and find out what it means for you

Backwards compatibility

The technology, which was developed by the BBC alongside NHK, is also backwards compatible with non-HDR equipment, meaning that the new standard won't break your non-HDR TV or set-top box.

Although without HDR-enabled hardware you obviously won't be able to enjoy the benefits that HDR content brings.

Much like 4K, content producers must make their TV shows or films in HDR in order for them to be available in this format, and since HDR is a relatively new technology this means there is currently a lack of content available.

However with the BBC producing and commissioning thousands of hours of content every year, the corporation's investment could be what is needed to bring HDR to the masses.

The BBC is also conducting internal 4K broadcast trials at the Olympics this year, which is the other technology set to revolutionise the quality of television.

• Read our interview with the director of Deadpool on how HDR was the film's killer feature

Via WhatHifi