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HDR Performance

To learn about our HDR testing, see our breakdown of how we test PC monitors.

When the S2721DGF senses an HDR10 signal, it automatically switches to HDR mode. There are four image presets available, plus control of the contrast slider.

HDR Brightness & Contrast

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Dell S2721DGF — (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Dell rates the S2721DGF at 400 nits in HDR mode, but we couldn’t quite get there in our tests. We measured both 100% and 10% window patterns and got the same result.

But once we completed the tests, we were glad to see that Dell has included dynamic contrast. The 0.08-nit black level is in VA territory, with resulting contrast near 5,000:1. This puts the S2721DGF in a small group of edge backlight HDR monitors that look good showing HDR content. Remember when we said earlier, “you get what you pay for?” This is a perfect example.

Grayscale, EOTF & Color

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The S2721DGF’s lack of HDR calibration control is not a hindrance to its HDR image accuracy. The grayscale test above shows a slightly visible blue error in the brightest steps that's hard to see in actual content. What is more impressive is the near-flawless EOTF luminance tracking. Except for a slightly soft transition to tone-mapping at 65%, the test follows the spec perfectly. This is the principal reason for the S2721DGF’s excellent HDR image.

The color test reveals similarly high accuracy. Every DCI-P3 color target is on or near the right spot, and inner saturations are a little over. This adds to the S2721DGF’s vibrance in HDR mode. If HDR gaming is your thing, you’ll have to spend quite a bit more money to beat this level of performance.

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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.

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