AMD clarifies FreeSync 2 HDR

TechPowerUp received a statement from AMD that clarifies the new FreeSync 2 HDR specification. Basically, the firm renamed FreeSync 2 to FreeSync 2 HDR and this created some controversy as some users feel this lowers the bar for HDR displays, as some panels that quality for FreeSync 2 HDR barely meet the VESA DisplayHDR 400 specs.

In its communication, AMD notes that all FreeSync 2 HDR screens meet at least DisplayHDR 400, but that not all of them meet the more strict DisplayHDR 600 specifications:

The FreeSync 2 (now FreeSync 2 HDR) specifications were set almost a year before the VESA DisplayHDR standards were published. These two programs are separate and independent from each other.

When DisplayHDR 400 was defined, it was clear from the start that the FreeSync 2 requirements for color gamut, max brightness and contrast ratio set a higher bar than DisplayHDR 400. AMD is not lowering the bar for FreeSync 2 HDR to align with DisplayHDR 400. We're clarifying that a display that meets the requirements for DisplayHDR 600, or higher, could meet the color gamut, max brightness and contrast ratio requirements of FreeSync 2 HDR. FreeSync 2 HDR also has additional requirements for gaming and usability in areas not covered by VESA's DisplayHDR specifications.

We want to ensure at least 2x the perceivable color gamut and dynamic range than an SDR display as we stated from the initial announcement of the FreeSync 2 program. DisplayHDR 600 minimum specifications align with this objective, DisplayHDR 400 minimum specifications do not.

It is possible for a display to meet the FreeSync 2 HDR requirements but fail the DisplayHDR 600 minimums. Such a display may have the DIsplayHDR 400 logo and the FreeSync 2 HDR logo, but it would be exceeding the minimum requirements of DisplayHDR 400.