Content and Sources Management


The HDR monitor features a comprehensive set of standard inputs on board.

Native HDR contents are carried by a standard DVI cable connection. In order to play Native HDR Content SIM2 has developed an algorithm to translate it in a logarithmic representation, which is decoded by the HDR monitor, exploiting the concept that logarithmic distribution is similar to the human eye perception. High density in low light levels and less density in high levels.

SIM2’s algorithm, is therefore available as a proprietary software, called SHADER, which converts floating point data (huge amount of data) without  losing information. SIM2 SHADER software is provided together with the monitor and simple instructions in order to be easily loaded and installed in linked workstation.

HDR processing

Tone Mapping Operators (TMO)

Tone mapping is a technique used in image processing to approximate the appearance of High Dynamic Range images in media with a more limited dynamic range. Print-outs, CRT or LCD monitors, and projectors all have a limited dynamic range which is inadequate to reproduce the full range of light intensities present in natural scenes. Essentially, tone mapping addresses the problem of strong contrast reduction from the scene values (radiance) to the displayable range while preserving the image details and color appearance important to appreciate the original scene content. TMOs compress the luminance range while trying to maintain contrast.

Inverse Tone Mapping Operators (iTMO)

The dual of tone mapping, inverse tone mapping, expands a Low Dynamic Range content into a HDR content. The majority of today's media is stored in low dynamic range. Inverse Tone Mapping Operators could thus potentially revive all of this content for use in high dynamic range display and image-based lighting.

How does it work in detail?

Sim2 Solar series display is able to display 16-bit high dynamic range content. Depending on input stream (HDR or LDR content) the system applies the TMO or the iTMO to reproduce it on the display.

    The HDR core algorithm is broken down into three major components:
  • Backlight drive determination
  • Light field simulation
  • LCD pipeline

This basically means that SIM2 HDR display is capable to properly manage almost every dynamic in the signal using a floating operator system that, due to its logaritmic nature, is closer to human eye perception with more gradients in the darker spectrum and less in the brightlight. The Sim2 HDR display uses two physical modulators to produce the final image. The light output from the first (lower resolution) modulator is optically multiplied by the second modulator to create the resultant image. To generate the desired input image, it is necessary to distribute the required luminance between the first and second modulators in a way that re-creates the desired image when the two are recombined optically.

One of the key advantages of HDR monitors is the capability to enhance and expand the dynamic of all displayed contents. Not only Native HDR, but any content will benefit from LCD-LED interaction made thru the SIM2 algorithm, since the amount of  color bit available is always 236.

Modes and Inputs

SIM2 HDR monitor has got 3 modes for proper content/input management:
  • HDR lets you show HDR contents on it by using our own algorithm for integrating LCD and LED interaction and driving LED back light;
  • DVI-Plus lets you work straight on the technology studying it and letting you design your own algorithm;
  • Normal lets you show standard contents (not HDR) dynamically enhanced and expanded by the HDR monitor technology.