Top 5 HDR Players for Windows 10/11 - Play 4K HDR Videos Smoothly

What is HDR? HDR is the abbreviation of High Dynamic Range. Dynamic Range refers to the number of gray levels between the brightest point and the darkest point in an image. The larger the dynamic range, the greater the range of brightness and contrast in the image. So, simply, HDR is a technique that can increase the range of an image's brightness and contrast, thus improving the image quality and making people see more details of the dark part of the picture.

Nowadays, you may get HDR contents from mobile, camcorder, streaming services like YouTube, Netflix, or 4K UHD Blu-ray DVD. However, playing HDR on Windows 10/11 is not an easy thing. Besides a HDR-compatibile display and graphics card, you do need a HDR player for Windows 10/11 that won't convert HDR to SDR.

3. CnX Player

Another 4K HDR player for Windows 10/11 that we'd like to share with you is CnX Player. It supports to play 10-bit HDR videos with HEVC, VP9, H.264, and AV1 codec. To make sure smooth playback of 4K HDR content, it is developed with Intel based hardware acceleration.

In addition to Windows PC, CnX Player also allows users to play HDR videos on tablet, iPad, and iPhone.

Note: Unlike VLC and 5KPlayer which are free of charge, CnX offers in-app purchases. To play 10 bit HDR files on Windows 10/11 using CnX Player, make sure Professional Video codecs (10bit) feature is purchased.

4. PotPlayer

To play 4K HDR videos without transcoding, you can also try PotPlayer. It's totally free, just untick the "agree" checkbox for ad on installation dialog and click "accept", to skip ad installation. Then use the HDR button on the navigation bar and in Preferences try Video > Surface format - 10 bit and/or "10-bit output". This will help you play 4K HEVC 10-bit HDR videos without transcoding to SDR.

Note: according to users' report, Potplayer always makes HDR video look washed out and desaturated or gives HDR file an odd blue/green hue. Only Dolby Vision enabled devices can deal with the video properly if the HDR video is Dolby Vision with Profile 5.

5. PowerDVD

The reason why PowerDVD is in the last place lies in that it's paid. But when it comes to image quality, PowerDVD has no peers, especially for HDR footage. Thanks to the TrueTheater enhancements, PowerDVD has made a lot of progress in HD upscaling, HDR color, lighting, motion compensation, noise reduction, and stabilization. Of course, this requires high on hardware, namely a HDR compatible monitor, HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.3.

By the way, PowerDVD features two interfaces: one for use while you're at your PC, and the other - TV mode, which can be used as a remote when you're playing couch potato. 

More about Windows 10/Windows 11 HDR

1. Does Windows 10 Support HDR?

Windows 10 does support High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology. This feature allows for a broader range of colors and luminance levels, resulting in more vibrant and lifelike visuals on compatible displays. However, for optimal HDR functionality, the hardware, including the monitor and graphics card, must also support HDR. Additionally, users should ensure that HDR is enabled in the display settings. Overall, Windows 10 provides the necessary framework for HDR, but its effectiveness depends on the compatibility of the hardware components.

2. Should I Use HDR Windows 10?

That depends. If you have an HDR-compatible monitor and graphics card, and you consume a lot of HDR content (like HDR videos or games), enabling HDR can greatly enhance your viewing experience with richer colors and improved contrast. However, if you don't have the necessary hardware or don't frequently engage with HDR content, there might not be a significant benefit. It's worth trying out and adjusting settings to see if it improves your visual experience, and you can always switch back if you find it doesn't suit your preferences or setup.

3. How to enable HDR on Windows 10/11?

Step 1. Click the Start button, then go to Settings > System > Display > Windows HD Color settings.

Step 2. Choose the display you want to verify under "Choose display."

Step 3. Confirm that it indicates "Yes" next to "Use HDR" under Display capabilities.

Step 4. If it does, enable "Use HDR."

FAQs about HDR Players for Windows 10/Windows 11

1. How do I play HDR video on Windows 10?

To play HDR video on Windows 10, ensure you have an HDR-compatible display and graphics card. Use a compatible media player like Movies & TV or a third-party app like VLC, 5KPlayer. Open the video, right-click, and select 'Play with Movies & TV' or open with your preferred player.

2. Can I play HDR in VLC?

Yes, VLC media player supports HDR playback. However, to ensure proper HDR playback, make sure you have an HDR-capable display and compatible graphics hardware. Additionally, ensure that VLC is updated to the latest version for optimal performance.

3. Does MX Player support HDR?

4. Does HDR look good on Windows 11?

Yes, HDR can enhance visual quality on Windows 11, provided you have an HDR-compatible display and content. It offers richer colors, improved contrast, and a more lifelike viewing experience. However, the effectiveness also depends on the quality of your hardware and the content you're viewing.