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Our HDR benchmarking uses Portrait Displays’ Calman software. To learn about our HDR testing, see our breakdown of how we test PC monitors.
The G8 switches to HDR mode automatically when an HDR10 signal is input. It also supports HDR10+, but I was not able to test this mode. Like any HDR standard, you’ll need compatible content to reap its benefits.
I noted that all picture modes were available for HDR content. Custom is still the best choice. Leave the color temp on Normal and gamma on Mode 1. If you find the picture too bright, the brightness slider is also available.
HDR Brightness and Contrast
The Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 can top 2,000 nits in HDR mode if you measure a tiny portion of the screen. I used a 1% window pattern. Larger windows are less bright. By 25%, the peak output was down to 1,203 nits, which is still impressive. To say that the G8 produces bright highlights would be an understatement. The HDR image leaps from the screen. Coupled with an unmeasurable black level, the contrast ratio is infinite. Though I didn’t have the Asus PG32UQX on hand for a visual comparison, the G8 was equal in impact to my LG 65GX OLED TV showing the same content.
Grayscale, EOTF and Color
Custom mode provides the best HDR grayscale tracking with no visible errors. The EOTF also tracks perfectly with a tone-map transition at 65%. This is textbook right here.
In the HDR color tests, I noted the same red under-saturation with on-target performance for the other colors. The G8 covers all of DCI-P3 except for a bit of green. There are no hue errors to speak of. Rec.2020 performance is excellent except for the same red under-saturation. Honestly, given the G8’s phenomenal contrast, there is exactly no one who will notice any color issues. The HDR image is stunning in every way.
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