For owners of the Switch 2, the initial setup process likely included configuring the HDR feature. This enhancement is significant for the Switch 2, as numerous contemporary games leverage HDR technology to enhance visual contrast. While HDR games can provide stunning visuals when set up correctly, many users may struggle with achieving the optimal configuration.

During the setup, you were probably prompted to adjust the brightness using two sun icons, advised to increase the display brightness until only one sun remained visible. This method may work effectively with compatible TVs set to appropriate configurations, but for others, it can be misleading. The YouTube channel HDTVTest explored this setup in a video shared recently. They highlighted that the HDR “sun” setting for the Switch 2 operates optimally only when your TV’s Dynamic Tone Mapping is activated as HGiG. This particular HDR standard is tailored for gaming. Without this feature enabled (or available at all), users must significantly increase brightness levels to follow Nintendo’s guidelines, whereas HGiG allows for easier brightness adjustment.

However, this is just one of the two essential pages in the HDR setup for the Switch 2. In the subsequent screen, Nintendo prompts users to adjust the HDR reference white level, also referred to as the paper white level—though they simply label it “brightness.” It’s easy to skip this screen if the setup is completed too quickly, as pressing the Y button is necessary to access the adjustment slider. HDTVTest discovered that the default paper white setting yields a considerably duller image than one might anticipate from HDR, even when compared to standard dynamic range (SDR) content.

The paper white adjustment screen is dependent on the brightness settings from the initial HDR setup page featuring the sun icons. Altering the brightness here directly affects the nit levels adjusted on the second screen. While technical jargon may overwhelm, the bottom line is clear: these HDR settings can be puzzling. The successful calibration is highly contingent on both the type of TV and how its settings, along with those of the Switch 2, are configured.

Is It Possible to Achieve Proper HDR Calibration on the Switch 2?

According to insights shared by HDTVTest, configuring HDR correctly on the Switch 2 is challenging. First, ascertain whether your television supports the HGiG feature. If compatible, enable it and then revisit the HDR settings on your Switch 2. Carefully adjust the brightness using the sun icon test until the right sun disappears, click “Next,” and then hit the Y Button to access the paper white slider. For this stage, HDTVTest advises determining your TV’s MaxTML value—often found using an Xbox Series X—and performing some calculations to set the slider accurately. If the value is under 1,400, divide 6,000 by this number to obtain the number of clicks required for adjustment. They suggest aiming for a paper white level of 200 nits, although 250 nits might be preferable in brighter environments.