On the Xbox Series X, Auto HDR enhances the range of colors and brightness of backwards compatible games, and it will work similarly on computers. Users with an HDR-compatible screen can enhance the visual quality of games by enabling the feature in the Windows HD color settings, even if the games are not designed with an HDR mode.If you’re still confused about the visual benefits of Auto HDR, there’s a handy example in the blog post (below) that uses a brightness map to show how HDR can portray the detail in a scene from Gears 5.
In essence, it’s like using an auto filter on a photo you took on your phone. Older games will of course benefit from this technology, and are given new life in many ways thanks to it.
Automatic HDR heat map image. (Source: Microsoft)
As Microsoft is an example of the feature, it is looking for feedback because it enables Auto HDR on more titles and optimizes performance. As for the performance hit of this new feature, Microsoft says there will be a slight, but certainly not intense effect. “While Auto HDR requires a bit of computing power to implement, we do not expect it to significantly affect your gaming experience,” reads the blog post.
This is not the only X-Series benefit coming to PC – EA Play will be part of Xbox Game Pass for PC starting today. Meanwhile, Series X users may soon suspend games to improve download speeds.
Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.