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HDR Performance

Our HDR benchmarking uses Portrait Displays’ Calman software. To learn about our HDR testing, see our breakdown of how we test PC monitors.

The Omen 34c G2 supports HDR10 signals with an automatic switch. There are no picture adjustments available, but I found excellent HDR quality and a major contrast bump from the eight-zone edge dimming backlight.

HDR Brightness and Contrast

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HP Omen 34c G2 — (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The Omen 34c G2 isn’t as bright as the Omen 34c, but its HDR contrast is far greater thanks to deeper black levels. In fact, it leaves the other screens in its dust with 0.0201 nits black and a contrast ratio of 21,658.5:1. That’s better than nearly all the LCD panels I’ve reviewed. Typically, you’d need a Mini LED panel to see a five-figure ratio. The HDR picture here looks stellar. And it is more than bright enough. This is superlative performance.

Grayscale, EOTF and Color

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The Omen 34c G2 shows a bit of the same warmth in its HDR grayscale test as I saw in the SDR benchmark. The green errors are just above the visible threshold and start at 60% brightness. There is no way to adjust this. But it doesn’t detract from what is otherwise excellent HDR that definitely outstrips its predecessor, the Omen 34c. EOTF tracking is very close to the reference with no detail clipping and a correct tone-map transition at 65% brightness.

In the color test, the Omen 34c G2 oversaturates just a little but keeps hue values in line with their targets. Only green isn’t fully covered. In the BT.2020 test, the Omen 34c G2 runs out of color at 85% red, 60% green and 95% blue. This is typical for the category.

Test Takeaway: The Omen 34c G2’s HDR quality is superior to the competition thanks to extremely broad contrast and deep black levels. It has comparable color accuracy and volume, but that extra dynamic range sets it apart. This alone would be reason enough for me to upgrade from an Omen 34c.

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Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.