Nvidia’s Latest Driver Update Enhances RTX Owners’ Experience: Automatic Conversion of Online SDR Videos to HDR for Improved Image Quality. Exclusive to RTX cards, this feature utilizes Tensor Cores designed for AI tasks, addressing the challenge of SDR content on HDR monitors and elevating the viewing experience for RTX users.
Nvidia’s continuous focus on AI-centric features has reached a new milestone with the release of driver update 551.23. This update introduces a notable feature exclusively for RTX owners, automatically converting online Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) videos to High Dynamic Range (HDR) on HDR10-compatible monitors and laptops. The move follows Nvidia’s earlier initiative, the RTX Video Super Resolution, which also receives an update in this release, emphasizing the company’s ongoing commitment to enhancing image quality for users, whether they’re immersed in gaming or casual web browsing.
The significance of this new feature being limited to RTX owners lies in the architecture of Nvidia RTX cards. These cards incorporate tensor cores, distinct from traditional shader cores, specifically designed for intricate calculations and matrix multiplications.
Tensor cores prove highly adept at handling AI tasks, including video upscaling and segments of the Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) pipeline. The exclusivity ensures that RTX users can leverage these specialized capabilities for an improved visual experience, showcasing Nvidia’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of graphics technology.
Tensor cores have been a staple in Nvidia’s RTX series since the RTX 20 series, but their full potential has only recently been realized. While Nvidia has previously focused on leveraging these cores for gaming enhancements, such as Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) and Deep Learning Dynamic Super Resolution (DLDSR) to boost frame rates and enhance image quality, the latest driver update introduces non-gaming features. These additions cater to users seeking an improved viewing experience, particularly for streaming video content.
The significance of the SDR to HDR conversion feature lies in the prevalence of Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) content on the internet, accounting for over 90% of uploaded videos. Uploading High Dynamic Range (HDR) videos can result in poor quality on the majority of monitors used by the audience due to limitations in color space handling. Additionally, the HDR capture and editing process is inherently more complex for content creators compared to the standard SDR pipeline. Nvidia’s recent technological advancement addresses these challenges, providing a solution for RTX users with HDR monitors, enhancing their viewing experience.
The introduction of the RTX HDR Enhance feature, coupled with Nvidia’s earlier RTX Super Resolution, empowers users to utilize AI for upscaling older videos to 4K and applying HDR for enhanced image quality. It’s worth noting, however, that these features are currently exclusive to Chromium-based web browsers, including Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
In contrast, the popular media player VLC appears limited to utilizing RTX Super Resolution at this time. This selective browser compatibility underlines the evolving landscape of AI-powered video enhancement, with different platforms and applications adapting at varying paces.
How to enable RTX Video HDR and RTX Super Resolution
To leverage the new RTX HDR Enhance feature, follow these steps to adjust settings in your system and the Nvidia Control Panel:
- Update your Nvidia drivers to the latest version, currently 551.23 at the time of this article.
- In your computer’s Settings menu, go to System > Display, and ensure that HDR is enabled for your display.
- Open the Nvidia Control Panel and navigate to the Adjust Video Image Settings tab.
- Enable HDR and Video Super Resolution by checking the respective boxes.
- Continue viewing online streaming video as you normally would, using any Chromium-based browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
By following these steps, you can unlock the full potential of the RTX HDR Enhance feature and enjoy improved image quality while streaming video online.
RTX Video HDR: Unveiling Its Performance and Quality
While testing the new feature, I observed that the difference in image quality for well-lit videos was subtle but noticeable. However, the contrast was striking when watching videos with poor lighting โ scenes that were barely visible on an SDR display became rich in detail after enabling HDR enhancements. Both RTX Super Resolution and RTX Video HDR individually offer subtle benefits, but when combined, videos exhibit enhanced clarity, reduced blurriness, and improved color saturation. For RTX card owners, trying out this combination is definitely worth it.
Nvidia’s latest AI-enhanced features represent a significant leap in the user experience for both desktop and laptop users. As tech companies scramble to develop and implement new AI technologies, Nvidia distinguishes itself by not only introducing state-of-the-art graphics cards but also by incorporating meaningful features for current users. In an industry saturated with flashy applications of AI, Nvidia’s commitment to enhancing everyday tasks, such as watching online videos, demonstrates a focus on pragmatic innovation that directly benefits users.
In the midst of the AI technology race, Nvidia’s dedication to improving user experiences sets a commendable standard. While many companies may prioritize the visual appeal of AI integration, Nvidia’s emphasis on enhancing routine tasks underscores a commitment to practicality and utility, providing users with genuinely valuable advancements in their daily computing activities.