The Witcher 3 - Patch 4.04 - New HDR Settings for PC / PS5 / Xbox

Summary

In this video, the creator discusses the new HDR settings introduced in *The Witcher 3* with Patch 4.04, emphasizing both improvements and drawbacks. While the game boasts a near-perfect HDR Black Level floor, contributing to excellent contrast, the maximum peak brightness for specular highlights remains insufficient, leading to a flat visual experience. The video highlights the importance of proper settings like Paperwhite and maximum monitor brightness adjustments, especially for different TV models. The creator shares personal recommendations for optimal HDR performance, offering insights for those seeking the best visual experience in this classic game.

Takeaways

• 😀 The latest Witcher 3 patch (v4.04) introduced improved HDR settings, but the reviewer has mixed feelings about how the settings impact HDR performance.
• 😀 The main strength of Witcher 3's HDR implementation is its excellent HDR Black Level floor, which avoids common issues found in other games.
• 😀 The reviewer notes that while specular highlights (like the sun and sky) can look flat at times, the HDR Black Level floor remains consistently good.
• 😀 HDR settings include options like maximum monitor brightness and paper-white settings, but the gamma setting remains available, which is unusual for HDR setups.
• 😀 The reviewer recommends leaving the gamma setting at the factory default to avoid raising the Black Level floor, which could negatively impact image quality.
• 😀 The maximum peak brightness for HDR objects like the sun or sky is often insufficient in this patch, making the picture appear flat unless settings are adjusted.
• 😀 While maximum monitor brightness is set to 1500 nits in the settings, the actual peak brightness for many scenes is lower, impacting the overall HDR effect.
• 😀 Despite some issues with HDR brightness levels, the game's HDR Black Level floor is perfect, ensuring good contrast and detail retention.
• 😀 The reviewer suggests using HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) over Dolby Vision on the Xbox Series X, as Dolby Vision tends to over-brighten the image on OLED TVs like the LG CX.
• 😀 For optimal settings, the reviewer recommends setting the maximum monitor brightness to 1500 nits and increasing the paper-white setting to 500 for better specular highlights.
• 😀 The reviewer highlights that HDR settings in Witcher 3 are tricky and may require future updates to refine the balance between brightness and detail.
• 😀 Overall, despite a few HDR issues, the reviewer appreciates the game's HDR implementation, particularly its Black Level floor, which helps preserve visual quality.

Q & A

What new features were introduced in *The Witcher 3* with Patch 4.04?

Patch 4.04 introduces new HDR settings in *The Witcher 3*, including maximum monitor brightness and Paperwhite adjustments. These updates aim to improve the HDR experience, although there are some issues with peak brightness and gamma settings.

What is the key issue with the HDR peak brightness in the game?

The issue with HDR peak brightness in *The Witcher 3* is that even with the maximum monitor brightness set to 1500 nits, the brightness in many objects, such as the sky and sun, still appears insufficient. This results in a flat-looking image in certain scenes.

Why is the gamma setting still available in the HDR settings after Patch 4.04?

The gamma setting remains available despite being unnecessary for HDR because it affects the overall brightness and black level floor of the game. While it’s not ideal to have a gamma adjustment in HDR settings, it still allows players to tweak the picture to their liking.

What is the recommended approach for adjusting the gamma setting in *The Witcher 3*?

The recommended approach is to leave the gamma setting at its factory default. Increasing it raises the black level floor, which is not recommended, as it can negatively affect the HDR experience.

How does the HDR black level floor affect the visual quality of the game?

The HDR black level floor in *The Witcher 3* is excellent, allowing for perfect blacks and maintaining strong contrast. This is a major strength of the game’s HDR implementation and helps compensate for issues with peak brightness.

What HDR settings are recommended for optimal picture quality in *The Witcher 3*?

The recommended settings include: 1) Turn off Dynamic Tone Mapping or use HCG (High Contrast Gamma). 2) Set gamma to its factory default. 3) Set maximum monitor brightness to 1500 nits. 4) Adjust Paperwhite to 500 nits for brighter specular highlights and better image detail.

Why is it recommended to avoid Dolby Vision for *The Witcher 3* HDR settings?

Dolby Vision is recommended to be avoided because it tends to over-brighten the picture and wash out the image compared to other HDR formats like HCG. It’s also not perfectly calibrated on many TVs, including the LG CX.

How does *The Witcher 3*'s HDR implementation compare to other newer games?

Despite being an older game, *The Witcher 3*'s HDR implementation is one of the best, especially in terms of black level handling. Many newer games struggle with poor HDR black levels, but *The Witcher 3* delivers excellent contrast, even if its peak brightness could use some improvement.

What happens if you leave the Paperwhite setting at 300 nits?

If the Paperwhite setting is left at 300 nits, specular highlights may appear dimmer and lack detail. Increasing it to 500 nits helps reveal more details in bright areas, such as the sun or sky, improving overall image brightness.

Can the recommended HDR settings be used across different platforms (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox)?

Yes, the recommended HDR settings can be used across all platforms, including PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox. The differences in performance across platforms are minimal, so the settings should provide a similar experience on all devices.