HDR, Windows & Emby

[DHos 1]

I am running Emby on a Win 64 machine to a Marantz processor to my projector. I upgraded to a 4k projector supporting HDR. After getting the projector installed, I could not get 4k videos to play with HDR (ripped 4k Blu-ray with no further processing).  After spending way too much time I found the Windows setting for HDR. Windows was displaying that it saw the attached display supports HDR, but I could not get it to work. Windows has a setting to "use HDR", I turned that on and .. HDR works.

Question/problem is that everything comes across as HDR, including 480i DVD rips. Is this correct? It is ALL HDR or NO HDR? 

HDR is set to auto in the projector; Windows "sees" I have a HDR capable display. I was under the impression that Emby would play the HDR video and the projector would use/not use HDR as needed.

Am I missing something?

Thanks

[ebr 16195]

Hi.  Does it behave any differently using, say, Windows media player?

[DHos 1]

It does not. Actually, with the Windows option to "use HDR" on, everything is HDR. Apparently, Windows displays everything with HDR (not just videos, Windows desktop as well). If I set the "use HDR" option off, nothing goes out with HDR (Windows or Emby). What I find odd is that under Display Capabilities, Windows shows status Use HDR and Use WCG apps as Yes for this display (this is with the "use HDR" option off).

[Carlo 4561]

This isn't really anything to do with Windows but is a "feature" of the way your projector works.  Unless you paid well over $5K for the projector it's not really 4K but but 2K that flips back and forth projecting different dots. They calculate 2K+2K=4K which isn't true but gives the illusion of 4K.  They do however give you the wider color range.

Because of the way this works the projector will have different modes of operation which you have to select then set windows to match to get semi-correct looking movies. Many a people still think a 1080p projector is better than 4K for non HDR media because of this.

What some people do however silly this may seem is get two devices and an HDMI switch.  They setup one device for locked for 1080p SDR and one for 4K HDR each tuned for optimal display, colors, refresh rate, etc. Otherwise you end up having to change 5 or 6 settings on the device when switching modes that a normal 4K TV would have no issue with.

Some projectors are better than others and vice versa for how this works.  If you only want to use your notebook, you may be able to setup profiles that you can lock in as well.

Most 4K projectors are "special".

[RanmaCanada 500]

HDR on windows is beyond broken.  It should not be used.  Honestly, get a firestick or Shield and plug that into your projector.  If you don't believe me just search the htpc sub on reddit and see how many times people ask how to get HDR to work.  Every thread ends with "buy a shield".

[Carlo 4561]

HDR on windows works fine just as SDR does but it expects that to be the output. 
It's not meant to switch back and forth based on content as that's not what that setting is for.