DisplayHDR 400 vs 600 vs 1000
VESA's DisplayHDR certification defines real, tested tiers by minimum peak brightness (and, above 400, local dimming). Stated plainly: DisplayHDR 400 is nearly meaningless as an "HDR experience" claim — it requires only 400 nits peak brightness with no local-dimming requirement at all. DisplayHDR 600 and 1000 are the tiers that actually require the brightness and dimming behavior that produce a visible HDR difference.
The tiers, per the VESA spec
| Tier | Min. Peak Brightness | Local Dimming Required? |
|---|---|---|
| DisplayHDR 400 | 400 nits | No |
| DisplayHDR 500 / 600 | 500 / 600 nits | Yes |
| DisplayHDR 1000 / 1400 | 1000 / 1400 nits | Yes |
| DisplayHDR True Black 400/500/600 | 400/500/600 nits (OLED tier) | N/A — certifies near-zero black level instead |
Why DisplayHDR 400 undersells the "HDR" label
No local-dimming requirement means a DisplayHDR 400 LCD monitor can accept and technically display HDR content while looking very close to its SDR picture — bright highlights won't stand out much more than they already do, because the panel isn't required to selectively dim/brighten zones. This is why many independent reviewers describe DisplayHDR 400 as closer to a certified minimum than a meaningful upgrade.
Where True Black fits in
OLED panels don't need a high peak-brightness requirement to look dramatically different in HDR, because every pixel can go to true black independently — the contrast comes from the black level, not brightness headroom. VESA's True Black tiers certify that near-zero black level directly, which is why an OLED monitor at "only" True Black 400 can still look more convincingly HDR than an LCD DisplayHDR 600 panel in dark-scene content, even with a lower nit number.
What "HDR10 compatible" alone means
A monitor advertised as "HDR10 compatible" with no DisplayHDR certification at all is only claiming signal compatibility — it will accept and pass through an HDR10 signal without corrupting it. That says nothing about brightness, contrast, or color volume. Don't treat it as equivalent to any certified DisplayHDR tier.
Full normalized table: The Monitor Numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
VESA's DisplayHDR 400 certification requires a minimum 400 nits peak brightness and no local-dimming requirement. It is the entry certified tier, and most independent reviewers consider it close to a marketing minimum rather than a meaningfully different HDR viewing experience versus SDR.
Yes, meaningfully. DisplayHDR 600 and 1000 both require substantially higher peak brightness (600 and 1000 nits respectively) plus local dimming, which is what actually produces visible highlight detail and contrast that SDR and DisplayHDR 400 panels can't reproduce.
It's VESA's separate OLED-specific tier (True Black 400/500/600), which certifies near-zero black level instead of high peak brightness — appropriate because OLED's per-pixel emissive design already achieves true blacks without needing the brightness headroom that LCD-based tiers require.
It means the monitor will accept and display an HDR10 signal without corrupting it — nothing more. It is not a brightness or contrast guarantee, and it is not independently certified by VESA or anyone else. A monitor can be 'HDR10 compatible' and look barely different from SDR.
Generally, no, if HDR picture quality is your goal — the brightness and dimming requirements are too low to guarantee a real HDR look. If you want a genuine HDR experience, look for DisplayHDR 600, 1000, or True Black tiers instead.