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HDR Configuration
Garoh edited this page Aug 9, 2025
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1 revision
Complete guide for setting up High Dynamic Range (HDR) streaming with Sunshine-AIO.
HDR provides:
- Enhanced brightness range - Brighter highlights, darker shadows
- Wider color gamut - More vivid and accurate colors
- Better visual realism - Closer to real-world lighting
- Gaming advantages - Better visibility in dark/bright areas
Hardware:
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1050+ or AMD RX 400+ with HDR support
- Display: HDR10-compatible monitor or TV
- HDMI/DisplayPort: HDMI 2.0a+ or DisplayPort 1.4+
- Windows: Windows 10 version 1709+ or Windows 11
Software:
- Sunshine-AIO with HDR components installed
- Updated GPU drivers (latest NVIDIA/AMD drivers)
- Windows HDR enabled in display settings
Supported Clients:
- Windows: HDR-capable display + Windows 10/11
- Android: HDR10 compatible device (Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, etc.)
- Steam Deck OLED: Native HDR support (LCD model has limited support)
- Apple devices: Limited HDR support in Moonlight
- Smart TVs: HDR10-compatible with Moonlight app
Method 1: Windows Settings
1. Settings → System → Display
2. Select your HDR display
3. Toggle "Use HDR" to On
4. Configure HDR settings
Method 2: PowerShell
# Check HDR capability
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_VideoController | Select-Object Name, VideoModeDescription
# Enable HDR (requires admin)
# Windows will prompt for HDR settingsCheck Display Capabilities:
1. Settings → System → Display → Advanced display
2. Look for "HDR10" or "Dolby Vision" support
3. Check color depth: Should be 10-bit or higher
4. Verify refresh rate: 60Hz minimum recommended
Test HDR Content:
1. Microsoft Store → Movies & TV app
2. Search for HDR content samples
3. Play and verify enhanced visuals
4. Or use YouTube HDR test videos
Web UI Configuration:
1. Open Sunshine Web UI: https://localhost:47990
2. Configuration → Video
3. Enable "HDR Support"
4. Set "Color Range": Full (0-255)
5. Set "Color Space": Rec. 2020 (for HDR)
Advanced HDR Settings:
{
"hdr": true,
"hdr_prep_cmd": [
"powershell.exe -file enable_hdr.ps1"
],
"hdr_stop_cmd": [
"powershell.exe -file disable_hdr.ps1"
]
}Create HDR Management Script:
# enable_hdr.ps1
param(
[string]$ClientWidth = $env:SUNSHINE_CLIENT_WIDTH,
[string]$ClientHeight = $env:SUNSHINE_CLIENT_HEIGHT,
[string]$ClientHDR = $env:SUNSHINE_CLIENT_HDR
)
if ($ClientHDR -eq "1") {
Write-Host "Client supports HDR, enabling HDR mode"
# Enable HDR via Windows API or registry
# Set appropriate color space and bit depth
} else {
Write-Host "Client does not support HDR, using SDR mode"
}Disable HDR Script:
# disable_hdr.ps1
Write-Host "Disabling HDR and restoring original display settings"
# Restore original display configuration
# Reset color space to sRGBEnable HDR in Steam:
1. Steam → Settings → In-Game
2. Enable "Use HDR when available"
3. Per-game: Properties → General → Launch Options
4. Add: -hdr (if game supports it)
Popular HDR Games:
- Cyberpunk 2077 - Excellent HDR implementation
- Resident Evil 4 - Great HDR visuals
- Forza Horizon 5 - Outstanding HDR racing
- Assassin's Creed Valhalla - Good HDR support
- Metro Exodus Enhanced - Reference HDR quality
Epic Games Store:
HDR automatically detected when Windows HDR is enabled
No additional configuration needed for most games
Xbox Game Pass:
1. Xbox app → Settings → General
2. Enable "HDR for games"
3. Individual games may have HDR options
Typical HDR Options:
HDR Mode: HDR10 (most compatible)
Peak Brightness: Match your display (400-4000 nits)
Paper White: 100-200 nits (recommended starting point)
Color Gamut: Wide/DCI-P3/Rec.2020
Tone Mapping: Game-dependent (Auto/ACES/etc.)
Windows Moonlight Client:
Settings → Streaming:
- HDR: Enable
- Color Space: Rec. 2020
- Color Range: Full
- HDR Tone Mapping: Reinhard or ACES
Android Moonlight:
Settings → Video:
- Enable HDR streaming: On
- HDR Tone Mapping: Balanced
- Color Space: Auto (or Force HDR10)
Steam Deck OLED:
Steam → Settings → Display → HDR
Enable HDR: On
HDR Brightness: Adjust to preference (usually 400-600 nits)
Color Gamut: Wide color gamut
Steam Deck LCD (Limited Support):
HDR support is minimal on LCD model
Better to stream in SDR for consistent experience
Consider tone mapping on host PC instead
Create HDR Profile:
Windows Color Management:
1. Control Panel → Color Management
2. Create new profile for HDR streaming
3. Set appropriate color space (Rec.2020)
4. Configure gamma curve for HDR
PowerShell Display Management:
# Get display information
Get-CimInstance -Namespace root\wmi -ClassName WmiMonitorBasicDisplayParams
# Set HDR color profile
$ColorProfile = "HDR_Profile.icm"
Set-WmiInstance -Class Win32_SystemColorProfile -Arguments @{TargetPath=$ColorProfile}Increased Bandwidth Requirements:
SDR Streaming: 10-20 Mbps typical
HDR Streaming: 25-50 Mbps recommended
4K HDR Streaming: 50-100 Mbps for best quality
Network Settings:
- Use wired connection when possible
- QoS prioritization for streaming traffic
- Buffer size optimization for HDR content
Sunshine HDR Bitrate:
{
"bitrate": 30000,
"hdr_bitrate_multiplier": 1.5,
"keyframe_interval": 30
}HDR Not Available in Moonlight:
Check:
1. Windows HDR enabled on host
2. HDR-capable display on client
3. Updated GPU drivers
4. HDMI/DP cable supports HDR bandwidth
5. Moonlight client version supports HDR
Washed Out Colors:
Solutions:
1. Adjust HDR brightness in game settings
2. Check paper white levels (100-200 nits)
3. Verify color range setting (Full vs Limited)
4. Try different tone mapping options
Performance Issues with HDR:
Optimizations:
1. Lower resolution while keeping HDR
2. Reduce bitrate slightly
3. Use hardware encoding (NVENC/AMF)
4. Close unnecessary background apps
5. Use Game Mode on Windows
HDR Not Working on Steam Deck OLED:
Troubleshooting:
1. Ensure SteamOS is updated (3.5+)
2. Enable HDR in Steam settings
3. Check Moonlight HDR settings
4. Verify network bandwidth (30+ Mbps)
5. Test with known HDR content
Color Accuracy Issues:
1. Calibrate Steam Deck display
2. Adjust HDR brightness settings
3. Use balanced tone mapping
4. Consider streaming in SDR if issues persist
HDR Streaming Lag:
Solutions:
1. Increase buffer size in Moonlight
2. Use hardware decoding on client
3. Lower HDR quality temporarily
4. Check for network congestion
5. Use 5GHz WiFi or wired connection
HDR Test Content:
YouTube HDR Videos:
- "HDR 10-bit Test Pattern"
- "4K HDR Nature Scenes"
- "HDR Gaming Footage"
Test Games:
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps (excellent HDR)
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider (good HDR implementation)
- Forza Horizon 5 (reference HDR quality)
Quality Metrics:
Good HDR Streaming:
- No visible banding in gradients
- Bright highlights without clipping
- Deep shadows with retained detail
- Vivid colors without oversaturation
- Smooth motion in HDR content
Host PC Optimization:
GPU Settings:
- NVIDIA: Enable HDR in NVCP
- AMD: Enable HDR in Radeon Software
- Intel: Enable HDR in Intel Graphics Command Center
Windows Settings:
- Game Mode: On
- Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling: On
- Variable refresh rate: Off during streaming
Client Optimization:
Display Settings:
- Match native resolution when possible
- Enable VRR/FreeSync if supported
- Adjust HDR brightness to room lighting
- Use proper viewing distance for HDR effect
Ultra Quality (Local Network):
{
"resolution": "3840x2160",
"fps": 60,
"bitrate": 80000,
"hdr": true,
"encoder": "h265_nvenc"
}High Quality (Fast Network):
{
"resolution": "2560x1440",
"fps": 60,
"bitrate": 40000,
"hdr": true,
"encoder": "h264_nvenc"
}Balanced (Standard Network):
{
"resolution": "1920x1080",
"fps": 60,
"bitrate": 25000,
"hdr": true,
"encoder": "h264_nvenc"
}For device-specific HDR setup, see the Steam Deck Guide or check the Troubleshooting section for HDR-related issues.