On the Calculation and Usage of HDR Static Content Metadata

HDR10 is a common platform-agnostic video format that is widely used for ultrahigh-definition (UHD-1)/4K content distribution. HDR10 includes 10-bit video data formatted for the perceptual quantization (PQ) electro-optical transfer function (EOTF) using color encoding primaries corresponding to International Telecommunication Union - Radiocommunication (ITU-R) BT.2020 (and BT.2100) and includes optional “static metadata.” HDR10 static metadata typically comprises two different types of metadata, mastering display metadata and content metadata. This paper discusses the meaningful calculation and usage of static content metadata for the display and processing of HDR10 content. Outlier values in the high-dynamic-range (HDR) pixel values can exist in content being mastered today and a simple statistical approach is presented to reduce the outlier’s influence on the static content metadata values. Additionally, this paper describes how a display or process can utilize good and reliable maximum content light level (MaxCLL) values to improve the reproduction of creative intent .