Projector HDR Test — PQ EOTF, clipping and gamut

Free HDR projector test-pattern suite covering the four most-used calibration tasks: PQ-encoded nit ramps (0.05 to 10,000 nits), clipping detection (where your projector stops resolving brighter levels), near-black shadow detail, peak-white reference at 1000 nits, and Rec.709 vs Rec.2020 gamut comparison. Patterns use the SMPTE ST 2084 PQ EOTF inverse to map nit values to display code values.

How to use

1
Set projector to HDR mode

Most projectors auto-detect an HDR signal — but browsers do not send true HDR. Force the projector's HDR preset manually if it has one.

2
Run the PQ step ramp

All 12 nit levels should be visibly distinct. If 1000 and higher merge into one shade, your projector clips there.

3
Check the clipping test

Confirms the exact clipping point. Drop the projector's brightness or output level if needed.

4
Verify near-black

In a dark room you should see steps between 0.0005 and 2 nits. If only the 2-nit step is visible, raise gamma or black level.

PQ EOTF and Rec.2020 patterns for HDR projector calibration

For HDR projector calibration. The PQ ramp shows whether all 12 nit levels render distinctly. The clipping test finds where your projector caps out — identical greys above 1000 nits means the projector clips there. Near-black tests shadow detail. Note: a true HDR signal requires HDMI HDR signalling (your browser sends SDR), so this is a target-aiming aid, not a 1:1 calibration source.

Features

6 calibration patterns Real PQ math Wide-gamut hint Native fullscreen
Who is this tool for?
📽️ Projector Owners

FAQ

Why not real HDR?

Web browsers cannot emit HDMI HDR signalling — they output SDR even on HDR displays. This tool maps PQ-encoded code values to an SDR display, which gives the CORRECT TARGET for your projector's code-value response, but the absolute brightness is SDR-scaled. For full HDR signal calibration use a 4K Blu-ray of test patterns.

What is the PQ EOTF?

Perceptual Quantizer Electro-Optical Transfer Function — the SMPTE ST 2084 / BT.2100 curve that maps signal code values (0–1023 or 0–4095) to absolute light output (nits). It is the same curve HDR10 and Dolby Vision use.

Most projectors clip at 1000 nits — is that a problem?

For most home content, no. HDR mastering targets range 100–4000 nits; 1000 is the most common. Above that, projectors apply tone-mapping to compress highlights into the available headroom — visible quality depends on the tone-mapper.

💡 Want us to improve this tool just for you?

We can — and it's free! Just send us a quick message with your idea. If you'd like to discuss it in detail, leave your email and we'll get back to you. You can stay anonymous.

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