Frustrated by the lack of HDR?

[solamon77]

Public service announcement: When I found out that the Xbox SX version had HDR support, I was pretty frustrated. After all, a lot of us PC gamers put money forward on Fig to get this thing made. I hate getting a lesser-than version of a game I helped bring to life.

BUT....

Fortunately Special K's HDR implementation works great for this game! So be frustrated no longer! Give it a try, it makes the game's already great graphics really pop!

[Japa]

What is that? Please give a link to instructions.

[Japa]

I think you mean this: https://wiki.special-k.info/HDR/Retrofit

[LorKhan]

Download: https://discourse.differentk.fyi/t/download-special-k/1461
Guide: https://discourse.differentk.fyi/t/special-k-hdr-newcomers/1060/3
I am using the Test Version.

I play on LGTV 4K full RGB.
Here's some 16-bit JXR screenshots I took in ACES filmic mode:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ano44Cur2MEwhSKk_5yGurHRdBWi?e=dkVWnU
Download to your PC then use HDR WCG viewer to open and view in HDR for original effect.

I am experimenting with passthrough mode right now, it looks better in brighter area and also the Manual. My setting in passthrough mode: 800 luminance; 100 paper white

I am still new with this mod, so feel free to share your findings.

[LorKhan]

On test version, click the 4-arrow-icon at the top right corner to start service.
You can launch the game on Steam/Xbox app as usual.
Close RTSS if the mod overlay doesn't show up.

For windows version, put these in the whitelist under settings
Psychonauts 2
Psychonauts2
Psychonauts2-Win64-Shipping

Some QoL tips:
You can set hotkey for HDR Widget by right-clicking it.
You can setup steam guide chord press for controllers to call the overlay
Autohdr can toggle on/off windows HDR on its own with selected apps.
https://github.com/Codectory/AutoHDR

[grooner]

Thanks for suggestions. Trying this out on OLED so also trying passthrough 800nits pk / 150 nits pw. It does seem to give good results so far.

[LorKhan]

Glad you like it. Its not perfect but the mod works so well with this vivid colors looking game that it would be a shame to play without imo. Definitely worth a try if you have a capable HDR display.

[whodatninja]

Originally posted by LorKhan:

Download: https://discourse.differentk.fyi/t/download-special-k/1461
Guide: https://discourse.differentk.fyi/t/special-k-hdr-newcomers/1060/3
I am using the Test Version.

I play on LGTV 4K full RGB.
Here's some 16-bit JXR screenshots I took in ACES filmic mode:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ano44Cur2MEwhSKk_5yGurHRdBWi?e=dkVWnU
Download to your PC then use HDR WCG viewer to open and view in HDR for original effect.

I am experimenting with passthrough mode right now, it looks better in brighter area and also the Manual. My setting in passthrough mode: 800 luminance; 100 paper white

I am still new with this mod, so feel free to share your findings.

can it be used with any sdr game?

[LorKhan]

Originally posted by whodatninja:

Originally posted by LorKhan:

Download: https://discourse.differentk.fyi/t/download-special-k/1461
Guide: https://discourse.differentk.fyi/t/special-k-hdr-newcomers/1060/3
I am using the Test Version.

I play on LGTV 4K full RGB.
Here's some 16-bit JXR screenshots I took in ACES filmic mode:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ano44Cur2MEwhSKk_5yGurHRdBWi?e=dkVWnU
Download to your PC then use HDR WCG viewer to open and view in HDR for original effect.

I am experimenting with passthrough mode right now, it looks better in brighter area and also the Manual. My setting in passthrough mode: 800 luminance; 100 paper white

I am still new with this mod, so feel free to share your findings.

can it be used with any sdr game?

You could hit their Discord and ask there. Tbh I think its best to just test it out yourself. Most of the DX11 games should work but some might cause issues. I tried with prey(2017) for a bit, it works but the scope effects mess up the visual, it can be modded tho so not a big deal for this one.

pcgamingwiki has a compatibility list:
https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/List_of_games_compatible_with_Special_K

[HeyApple]

Special K is fake HDR highlights are way overblown compared to the Xbox version of the game.

[HeyApple]

Originally posted by LorKhan:

Download: https://discourse.differentk.fyi/t/download-special-k/1461
Guide: https://discourse.differentk.fyi/t/special-k-hdr-newcomers/1060/3
I am using the Test Version.

I play on LGTV 4K full RGB.
Here's some 16-bit JXR screenshots I took in ACES filmic mode:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ano44Cur2MEwhSKk_5yGurHRdBWi?e=dkVWnU
Download to your PC then use HDR WCG viewer to open and view in HDR for original effect.

I am experimenting with passthrough mode right now, it looks better in brighter area and also the Manual. My setting in passthrough mode: 800 luminance; 100 paper white

I am still new with this mod, so feel free to share your findings.

Your paper white level is wrong you are crushing blacks when setting it at 100.

Paper White should always be half of your displays peak luminance.

ex: for 800 luminance you should set paper white to 400....etc....

[grooner]

Its worth trying it yourself and if then you want to advise a value of 400 then fine but do it with manners.

I've also found 100-150 on passthrough with an OLED to work well and I've played a fair bit of the game. I've also turned down the paper white setting in other games with native HDR just to reduce the intensity of some screen elements like the HUD that aren't highlights.

We know it's not as good as native but the term fake HDR is better used in cases like HDR 4K films that are barely any different to SDR.