HDR Configuration - LeGeRyChEeSe/Sunshine-AIO GitHub Wiki

HDR Configuration Guide

Complete guide for setting up High Dynamic Range (HDR) streaming with Sunshine-AIO.

🌟 HDR Overview

HDR provides:

Enhanced brightness range - Brighter highlights, darker shadows
Wider color gamut - More vivid and accurate colors
Better visual realism - Closer to real-world lighting
Gaming advantages - Better visibility in dark/bright areas

📋 HDR Requirements

Host PC Requirements

Hardware:

GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1050+ or AMD RX 400+ with HDR support
Display: HDR10-compatible monitor or TV
HDMI/DisplayPort: HDMI 2.0a+ or DisplayPort 1.4+
Windows: Windows 10 version 1709+ or Windows 11

Software:

Sunshine-AIO with HDR components installed
Updated GPU drivers (latest NVIDIA/AMD drivers)
Windows HDR enabled in display settings

Client Device Requirements

Supported Clients:

Windows: HDR-capable display + Windows 10/11
Android: HDR10 compatible device (Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, etc.)
Steam Deck OLED: Native HDR support (LCD model has limited support)
Apple devices: Limited HDR support in Moonlight
Smart TVs: HDR10-compatible with Moonlight app

🛠️ Windows HDR Setup

Enable HDR on Host PC

Method 1: Windows Settings

1. Settings → System → Display
2. Select your HDR display
3. Toggle "Use HDR" to On
4. Configure HDR settings

Method 2: PowerShell

# Check HDR capability
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_VideoController | Select-Object Name, VideoModeDescription

# Enable HDR (requires admin)
# Windows will prompt for HDR settings

Verify HDR Installation

Check Display Capabilities:

1. Settings → System → Display → Advanced display
2. Look for "HDR10" or "Dolby Vision" support
3. Check color depth: Should be 10-bit or higher
4. Verify refresh rate: 60Hz minimum recommended

Test HDR Content:

1. Microsoft Store → Movies & TV app
2. Search for HDR content samples
3. Play and verify enhanced visuals
4. Or use YouTube HDR test videos

🎯 Sunshine HDR Configuration

Enable HDR in Sunshine

Web UI Configuration:

1. Open Sunshine Web UI: https://localhost:47990
2. Configuration → Video
3. Enable "HDR Support"
4. Set "Color Range": Full (0-255)
5. Set "Color Space": Rec. 2020 (for HDR)

Advanced HDR Settings:

{
  "hdr": true,
  "hdr_prep_cmd": [
    "powershell.exe -file enable_hdr.ps1"
  ],
  "hdr_stop_cmd": [
    "powershell.exe -file disable_hdr.ps1"  
  ]
}

HDR Prep Commands

Create HDR Management Script:

# enable_hdr.ps1
param(
    [string]$ClientWidth = $env:SUNSHINE_CLIENT_WIDTH,
    [string]$ClientHeight = $env:SUNSHINE_CLIENT_HEIGHT,
    [string]$ClientHDR = $env:SUNSHINE_CLIENT_HDR
)

if ($ClientHDR -eq "1") {
    Write-Host "Client supports HDR, enabling HDR mode"
    # Enable HDR via Windows API or registry
    # Set appropriate color space and bit depth
} else {
    Write-Host "Client does not support HDR, using SDR mode"
}

Disable HDR Script:

# disable_hdr.ps1
Write-Host "Disabling HDR and restoring original display settings"
# Restore original display configuration
# Reset color space to sRGB

🎮 Game-Specific HDR Configuration

Steam Games

Enable HDR in Steam:

1. Steam → Settings → In-Game
2. Enable "Use HDR when available"
3. Per-game: Properties → General → Launch Options
4. Add: -hdr (if game supports it)

Popular HDR Games:

Cyberpunk 2077 - Excellent HDR implementation
Resident Evil 4 - Great HDR visuals
Forza Horizon 5 - Outstanding HDR racing
Assassin's Creed Valhalla - Good HDR support
Metro Exodus Enhanced - Reference HDR quality

Game Launchers

Epic Games Store:

HDR automatically detected when Windows HDR is enabled
No additional configuration needed for most games

Xbox Game Pass:

1. Xbox app → Settings → General
2. Enable "HDR for games"
3. Individual games may have HDR options

HDR Game Settings

Typical HDR Options:

HDR Mode: HDR10 (most compatible)
Peak Brightness: Match your display (400-4000 nits)
Paper White: 100-200 nits (recommended starting point)
Color Gamut: Wide/DCI-P3/Rec.2020
Tone Mapping: Game-dependent (Auto/ACES/etc.)

📱 Client HDR Configuration

Moonlight HDR Settings

Windows Moonlight Client:

Settings → Streaming:
- HDR: Enable
- Color Space: Rec. 2020
- Color Range: Full
- HDR Tone Mapping: Reinhard or ACES

Android Moonlight:

Settings → Video:
- Enable HDR streaming: On
- HDR Tone Mapping: Balanced
- Color Space: Auto (or Force HDR10)

Steam Deck HDR

Steam Deck OLED:

Steam → Settings → Display → HDR
Enable HDR: On
HDR Brightness: Adjust to preference (usually 400-600 nits)
Color Gamut: Wide color gamut

Steam Deck LCD (Limited Support):

HDR support is minimal on LCD model
Better to stream in SDR for consistent experience
Consider tone mapping on host PC instead

🔧 Advanced HDR Configuration

Custom Display Profiles

Create HDR Profile:

Windows Color Management:
1. Control Panel → Color Management
2. Create new profile for HDR streaming
3. Set appropriate color space (Rec.2020)
4. Configure gamma curve for HDR

PowerShell Display Management:

# Get display information
Get-CimInstance -Namespace root\wmi -ClassName WmiMonitorBasicDisplayParams

# Set HDR color profile
$ColorProfile = "HDR_Profile.icm"
Set-WmiInstance -Class Win32_SystemColorProfile -Arguments @{TargetPath=$ColorProfile}

Network Optimization for HDR

Increased Bandwidth Requirements:

SDR Streaming: 10-20 Mbps typical
HDR Streaming: 25-50 Mbps recommended
4K HDR Streaming: 50-100 Mbps for best quality

Network Settings:
- Use wired connection when possible
- QoS prioritization for streaming traffic
- Buffer size optimization for HDR content

Sunshine HDR Bitrate:

{
  "bitrate": 30000,
  "hdr_bitrate_multiplier": 1.5,
  "keyframe_interval": 30
}

🛠️ Troubleshooting HDR Issues

Common HDR Problems

HDR Not Available in Moonlight:

Check:
1. Windows HDR enabled on host
2. HDR-capable display on client
3. Updated GPU drivers
4. HDMI/DP cable supports HDR bandwidth
5. Moonlight client version supports HDR

Washed Out Colors:

Solutions:
1. Adjust HDR brightness in game settings
2. Check paper white levels (100-200 nits)
3. Verify color range setting (Full vs Limited)
4. Try different tone mapping options

Performance Issues with HDR:

Optimizations:
1. Lower resolution while keeping HDR
2. Reduce bitrate slightly
3. Use hardware encoding (NVENC/AMF)
4. Close unnecessary background apps
5. Use Game Mode on Windows

Steam Deck Specific Issues

HDR Not Working on Steam Deck OLED:

Troubleshooting:
1. Ensure SteamOS is updated (3.5+)
2. Enable HDR in Steam settings
3. Check Moonlight HDR settings
4. Verify network bandwidth (30+ Mbps)
5. Test with known HDR content

Color Accuracy Issues:

1. Calibrate Steam Deck display
2. Adjust HDR brightness settings
3. Use balanced tone mapping
4. Consider streaming in SDR if issues persist

Network and Performance

HDR Streaming Lag:

Solutions:
1. Increase buffer size in Moonlight
2. Use hardware decoding on client
3. Lower HDR quality temporarily
4. Check for network congestion
5. Use 5GHz WiFi or wired connection

📊 HDR Quality Assessment

Testing HDR Quality

HDR Test Content:

YouTube HDR Videos:
- "HDR 10-bit Test Pattern"
- "4K HDR Nature Scenes"
- "HDR Gaming Footage"

Test Games:
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps (excellent HDR)
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider (good HDR implementation)
- Forza Horizon 5 (reference HDR quality)

Quality Metrics:

Good HDR Streaming:
- No visible banding in gradients
- Bright highlights without clipping
- Deep shadows with retained detail
- Vivid colors without oversaturation
- Smooth motion in HDR content

Optimization Guidelines

Host PC Optimization:

GPU Settings:
- NVIDIA: Enable HDR in NVCP
- AMD: Enable HDR in Radeon Software
- Intel: Enable HDR in Intel Graphics Command Center

Windows Settings:
- Game Mode: On
- Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling: On
- Variable refresh rate: Off during streaming

Client Optimization:

Display Settings:
- Match native resolution when possible
- Enable VRR/FreeSync if supported
- Adjust HDR brightness to room lighting
- Use proper viewing distance for HDR effect

🎯 HDR Streaming Profiles

Quality Presets

Ultra Quality (Local Network):

{
  "resolution": "3840x2160",
  "fps": 60,
  "bitrate": 80000,
  "hdr": true,
  "encoder": "h265_nvenc"
}

High Quality (Fast Network):

{
  "resolution": "2560x1440", 
  "fps": 60,
  "bitrate": 40000,
  "hdr": true,
  "encoder": "h264_nvenc"
}

Balanced (Standard Network):

{
  "resolution": "1920x1080",
  "fps": 60, 
  "bitrate": 25000,
  "hdr": true,
  "encoder": "h264_nvenc"
}

For device-specific HDR setup, see the Steam Deck Guide or check the Troubleshooting section for HDR-related issues.