High dynamic range (HDR) TV sets, offering enhanced brightness for a broader palette of light outputs and sparkling highlights, will soon be commonplace in the global ultra-high-definition (UHD) TV market. According to IHS Inc. (NYSE: IHS), the leading global source of critical information and insight, unit shipments of HDR TVs are expected to grow dramatically from 2.9 million in 2016 to 32.6 million in 2019. The forecast covers only sets that meet the UHD Alliance's acceptance criteria.
“Numerous consumer trials by broadcasters, content producers and research labs have demonstrated that HDR has a huge impact on viewers,” said Paul Gray, principal analyst for IHS. “Not only do images look more realistic, but coverage of sports and other outdoor events in HDR also ensures that none of the action is lost in shadow. It is also worth remembering that HDR images are recognizable and effective regardless of the screen size or viewing distance.”
According to the Quarterly TV Design and Features Report from IHS Technology, HDR will start to gain a toehold in the market beginning in 2016, but the start of rapid growth won't occur until 2017 when 12.5 million HDR TV are expected to ship.
“As with other new technologies, we expect that the Chinese consumer will be in the forefront of adoption,” Gray said. “While HDR is expected to make up the largest share of UHD TV sets in the Japanese market, due to that country's lead in broadcast UHD services.”
