The Switch 2 supports HDR, at least in theory. Where older tech leans on extremes, HDR captures the gradients between extremes better, which creates vivid colors while also ensuring that brighter and darker portions of the image don’t lose finer details. The reality, however, is that the settings the Switch 2 provides to users are nearly impossible to properly configure, even if you follow Nintendo’s instructions to the letter. The result? The upgraded graphics on Switch 2 might appear more washed out than they’re intended to.
Fortunately, YouTube expert HDTVTest breaks down exactly what you need to know to get HDR working to the fullest extent.
The first thing the Switch 2 asks you to do is to adjust the brightness until a portion of the sun image is no longer visible. The problem is that this test only applies to TVs with the option to turn HGiG on, which your set may not support. Without it, you might end up over-tuning the brightness of the image to make one of the suns disappear.
Another hurdle to achieving the perfect settings is that the arrows don’t properly reflect what is changing on your screen. As HDTVTest shows, you can click on them and nothing will happen sometimes.
When the Switch 2 asks users to set its “Paper White,” fans are likely to get it wrong because the console’s own reference point does not match the actual universal standard for that setting, which results in a flatter image.
HDTVTest goes over the problems in great detail in the video, diving into the technical aspects with gusto. But what are you actually supposed to do with this information?
First, turn on HGiG tone mapping, if your TV or display supports it, and then adjust the suns. For paper white, things get tricky because the most accurate setting requires knowing the exact values you used for the previous screen. If you have an Xbox Series X, that can be a potential way to figure out what numbers you’re actually dealing with — the console’s HDR game calibration setup displays this information while you set brightness. Hilariously, you’re still going to have to do some actual math with this workaround to be able to get a proper paper white setting.
If your TV doesn’t have HGiG, you can rely on a more general rule of thumb; your max TML should be around 1,000 nits, and your paper white should land around 200 nits. The YouTuber also suggests relying on the joystick over the D-pad, as the buttons are weirdly imprecise. He also suggests setting your Switch 2’s HDR output to “compatible software only,” as otherwise your console might introduce visual artifacts, and to turn off screen burn-in reduction, which can also distort the graphics.
That’s…a lot, just to ensure you’re getting the best possible colors on the Switch 2. The convoluted process also illuminates why it’s so easy to get it all wrong. One YouTube comment on the video summarizes it well: “What a mess. How is the average consumer supposed to know about this?”
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