Windows 10: Xbox Series X|S Auto HDR is coming to Windows 10

/u/JohnersWasTaken · Mar 17, 2021

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Brink · Mar 17, 2021

Backward Compatibility on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S

As gamers, we know how important it is to preserve and respect your gaming legacy. We believe your favorite games and franchises, your progression and achievements, your Xbox One gaming accessories and the friendships and communities you create through gaming should all move with you across generations. We also fundamentally believe that not only should you be able to play all of your games from the past without needing to purchase them again, but they should also look, feel and play better on the next generation of Xbox consoles. Preserving and improving the thousands of games you know and love, or have yet to discover, has been a core objective since the beginning of the backward compatibility program in 2015, and with years of learnings and successes – and over 500,000 hours of gameplay testing across four generations of Xbox in the last year alone getting ready for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S – we couldn’t be more proud of the results you will be able to experience beginning November 10.

Games play best on Xbox Series X and Series S

Backward compatible games run natively on the Xbox Series X and S, running with the full power of the CPU, GPU and SSD. No boost mode, no downclocking, the full power of the consoles for each and every backward compatible game. This means that all titles run at the peak performance that they were originally designed for, with significantly higher performance than their original launch platform, resulting in higher and more steady framerates and rendering at their maximum resolution and visual quality. Backward compatible titles also benefit from significant reductions in load times due to the massive leap in performance from our custom NVME SSD at the heart of the Xbox Velocity Architecture.

Auto HDR for everyone

Modern games often implement high dynamic range (HDR) to improve overall visual quality. HDR allows a game to render a much larger range of brightness values and colors. This gives an extra sense of richness and depth to the image when compared to a standard dynamic range (SDR) image. For example, the light from a flashlight looks much brighter and red flowers look much more vibrant.

However, thousands of Xbox games shipped before HDR was first introduced with Xbox One S, and even for some Xbox One games, developers simply didn’t have the development resources or time to implement HDR. With Xbox Series X and Series S we are introducing a new feature named Auto HDR. Auto HDR automatically adds HDR enhancements to games which only shipped with SDR. Auto HDR enhances the visual quality of an SDR game without changing the original artistic intent of the game. Auto HDR is implemented by the system so developers don’t have to do any work to take advantage of this feature. Also, since Auto HDR is enabled by the console’s hardware, there is absolutely no performance cost to the CPU, GPU or memory and there is no additional latency added ensuring you receive the ultimate gaming experience.

The below images show how Auto HDR can improve the visual quality without changing the overall look of the game. The HDR images are brighter and more colorful only in the naturally expected areas, while the rest of the image retains its original intent.

Amazing innovations for some of the classics

By the time the new Xbox consoles launch this November, the team will have spent well over 500,000 hours of gameplay across the entire backward compatibility catalog to ensure your experience is the best possible, no matter which game is your favorite. Beyond the improvements all backward compatible games will see due to increased hardware performance, our team of backward compatibility engineers continue to innovate and push the limits of game preservation and enhancement to make your current game library look and play even better, at no additional cost and with no work from developers while still respecting the artistic intent and vision of the original creators.

New technology to double framerates

Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S bring next-gen performance to your favorite games. Higher, steadier framerates make games feel smoother, resulting in more immersive gameplay. Many improvements are the result of the custom designed processor that allows compatible games to play and leverage the increased CPU, GPU and memory from the new consoles. In addition however, the backward compatibility team has developed new methods for effectively doubling the framerate on select titles. While not applicable for many titles due to the game’s original physics or animations, these new techniques the team has developed can push game engines to render more quickly for a buttery smooth experience beyond what the original game might have delivered due to the capabilities of the hardware. Fallout 4 framerate, shown below, is effectively doubled from 30fps to 60fps on Xbox Series S, delivering a new way to preserve and enjoy this legendary title.

Enhanced visuals you have to see to believe

On the Xbox One, we were able to provide a curated list of titles that were enhanced for the Xbox One X via the Heutchy method. This allowed titles from Xbox 360 that rendered at 720p and original Xbox games that ran at 360p to play at 4K on Xbox One X, well beyond the capabilities of their original platform. The Heutchy method continues to be used to bring a variety of titles to 1440p on Xbox Series S and 4K on Xbox Series X.

Improved texture filtering is also coming to backward compatible titles on both Xbox Series X and Series S. On Xbox One X, a portion of the catalog benefited from increased anisotropic filtering, improving image quality of games. On Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, 16x anisotropic filtering has been enabled for nearly all backward compatible titles so you can experience the very best visuals the games have to offer.

Delivering on our promise

The backward compatibility team has been working hard to make all the games you love and remember available to you on Xbox Series X and Series S. Playing the games will be just as easy and magical as it’s always been. Simply insert your favorite backward compatible Xbox One, Xbox 360 or original Xbox disc into your Xbox Series X, install the game, and you’ll be ready to play. Your digital library will instantly appear and ready for download on the console when you sign in. If you’ve already installed your games to an external drive, you can bring that with you to the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. This all happens with no additional cost to you. And, with cloud saves, you’ll jump right back in where you left off. For those of you still enjoying Xbox 360, cloud saves will soon be free to all Xbox 360 users, making transferring your favorite games to Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S even easier.

Preserving the games of our past is fundamental to our DNA at Xbox and our continued promise to you. Backward compatibility lets you experience your cherished gaming memories again and in new ways. Your favorite games retain everything the original developer intended, while experiencing enhancements and exciting new features. There’s no need to look back, because your games are ready to move forward with you to the next generation of Xbox.
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Source: Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S Will Be the Best Place to Play 1000s of Games From Across Four Generations of Xbox - Xbox Wire

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Brink · Mar 17, 2021

App Compatibility for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S Consoles

UWP applications (both apps and games) are a pivotal part of the Xbox experience. As we near the launch of the new console generation, we want to address some common questions regarding app and game development on the new Xbox family of consoles. If you have been developing for the Xbox One X using UWP and leveraging the Dev Mode Activation App, the same features will be supported on the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. Please refer to the following FAQs for further guidance.

Thank you for your partnership with Xbox!

FAQs:

Will my current UWP app or game continue running on the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S?

Yes, apps and games running on the Xbox One should continue to run at parity on the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. The underlying platform APIs and codecs that UWP apps are built on have been tested and validated with key scenarios by Microsoft and through thousands of hours of usage in our internal Xbox flighting program. These APIs and codes are supported on the new Xbox family of consoles. When the new Xbox family of consoles is released, we recommend doing additional validation of your UWP app or game on the chosen device if desired.

How can I verify that my UWP app or game is working on the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S?

Devkits are not publicly available. UWP application developers should continue to rely on the Dev Mode Activation App used on the Xbox One X to convert their retails consoles into a development kit to test for compatibility As the same APIs and codecs are used between the Xbox One X and the new Xbox family of consoles, an app that works on the Xbox One X should continue to work on the new Xbox family of consoles

When the new Xbox family of consoles are available in retail, app partners can rely on Dev Mode Activation App to convert those consoles into a development kit.

Do I need to change or rewrite my application from the current UWP application?

No app development changes are required for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. You use the same SDK, build environments, and UWP APIs to develop your applications. The same publishing process for UWPs on the Xbox One will continue to apply for the new Xbox family of consoles.

As a reference, here are the links to the UWP documentation: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/win...etting-started

Are there any features my app can take advantage of for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S?

We focused our efforts on backwards compatibility for apps on our new Xbox family of consoles to make it easier for our partners and enable a seamless transition for your app from the Xbox One generation to the next generation of Xbox consoles. This means that all of your favorite apps will carry over to the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S on day 1.

We currently do not have additional features for apps on the new Xbox family of consoles that are not already a part of the Xbox One X.

Will I need to sign a new agreement to bring my Xbox One UWP application to the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S?

No, the existing Store App Developer Agreement terms will continue to cover distribution for apps on the new Xbox family of consoles. No additional agreements are required to run your app on the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

Will my app show that it supports the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S on the Store?

Yes, Microsoft will list the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S as a platform on the Store PDP. No additional work is required from the app partner to add in Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S listing to the Store

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Source: App Compatibility for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S Consoles - Windows Developer Blog

See also: Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X Launch November 10

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Brink · Mar 17, 2021

How to make sure your TV is ready for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S

Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S will be releasing imminently, capable of game-changing visual upgrades including super high framerates, low latency, and stunning HDR enhancements. But is your TV ready to receive all that the new generation has to offer?

With that in mind, we figured that now would be the perfect time to give you a quick overview of how to find out what your display is capable of, and what to keep an eye out for if you’re eyeing a new 4K television that unlocks the power of Xbox Series X, like the Samsung Q90T QLED 4K TV or the LG CX 4K OLED TV, to grace your living room.

What Resolution and Refresh Rate is Your Display Capable of?

There are many phrases that constitute having a 4K television: 4K, 4K Ultra HD, UHD, UHD 4K, SUHD TV, Ultra HD, Ultra UDTV, 2160p. If your television has used any of this branding, congratulations! You have a 4K television. While that means you can enable resolutions from your Xbox Series X to 3840 x 2160 (that’s another way of saying 4K) at 24 Hz, 50 Hz, 60 Hz, or 120 Hz, it’s not always that straightforward.

Some displays can only hit a 120 Hz refresh rate at certain resolutions (such as 1080p), or only by utilizing specific HDMI ports using an HDMI 2.1 connection. TV capabilities vary widely, so we recommend you check out your display’s specs ahead of launch (or ahead of making a big purchase). We’re big fans of RTINGS.com, which compiles tons of stats for different TVs in one place (look for “Supported Resolutions” on your model).

How to Find Out if You’re Set Up Correctly

If you meet the criteria listed above, it’s now time to ensure your Xbox Series X is configured correctly. On your Xbox, check your TV’s 4K and HDR capabilities by pressing the Xbox button to open the guide, go to Settings -> General -> TV & Display Options -> 4K TV details. You should see a series of green checkmarks across the board. If not, let’s try troubleshooting for a bit.

Make Sure Your Display Supports HDR

Modern games often implement high dynamic range (HDR) to improve overall visual quality, rendering a much larger range of brightness values and colors. With Xbox Series X|S we are introducing a new feature named Auto HDR, which automatically adds HDR enhancements to games which shipped with standard dynamic range. These are differences you’ll want to see – so you’ll want to ensure your 4K television also supports the “HDR10” standard. Look for messaging like HDR Premium, High Dynamic Range, HDR, UHD Color, Ultra HD Premium, Ultra HD deep color. Those terms let you know that your television supports the HDR10 standard, thus allowing you to display HDR content.

Are You Decked Out for Dolby?

Xbox Series X and Series S will be the first consoles ever to enable gaming in both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Xbox Series X|S will support Dolby Vision for entertainment apps like Netflix, Disney + and Vudu at launch, and is coming to games in 2021 enabling ultravivid picture quality – incredible brightness, contrast, color and detail- for gamers. A number of major TV brands support Dolby Vision, so be sure to check out your display’s documentation.

Let’s get your audio settings in order!

Audio has the power to fundamentally transform gaming into a more immersive and lifelike experience. Your Xbox Series X|S device supports 3D Spatial Sound formats l Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Windows Sonic enabling you to hear with pinpoint accuracy where sounds are coming from around you, below, and overhead.

If your connected HDMI device supports Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, be sure to enable it through the Xbox Audio settings page:

Press the Xbox button to open the guide and select Profile & system > Settings > General > Volume & audio output.

Under HDMI audio, select Bitstream out. Under Bitstream format, select Dolby Atmos for home theater or DTS:X for home theater depending on which one your HDMI device supports.

Now if you want to use 3D Spatial Sound using headphones follow these instructions:

Press the Xbox button to open the guide and select Profile & system > Settings > General > Volume & audio output.

Under Headset audio, choose one of the options in the Headset format dropdown menu.

Make Sure Your TV’s Firmware is Updated

As mentioned above, Xbox Series X|S support up to 120 Hz refresh rate, plus Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), which are new in the world of 4K TVs. Many TV manufacturers have added support for some of these features via firmware updates, which can either be downloaded directly to the TV (if it’s got an internet connection) or enabled by putting the update on a USB drive and plugging it into the TV. Now is a good time to ensure that you’re running the latest firmware on your display – and ensure it stays updated.

Make Sure You’re Plugged into the Right Port

While Xbox Series X will display 4K content over any HDMI connection, its most advanced features require HDMI 2.1 connection. On some TVs, only specific HDMI ports support HDMI 2.1, so it’s worth consulting your television’s manual to see which of your HDMI ports support this. In a pinch, you can try the different ports on your TV to see if the green checkmarks are enabled on your console’s 4K TV Details section (Settings -> General -> TV & Display Options -> 4K TV details). If you’re utilizing a computer monitor with multiple types of ports, note that some displays may only support your desired resolution and refresh rate via DisplayPort. Consult your manual to find out your display’s specifics.

The Vital Connection is Made

To ensure that all of the goodness flowing out of your new console is making it to your display, we’ve packed an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable into the box with your Xbox Series X. It may resemble your current Xbox One cable, but it’s not the same on the inside. We highly recommend you use the included Ultra High Speed HDMI cable so you can take advantage of the full benefits of HDMI 2.1 for years to come.

Whenever possible, you should route your Xbox directly into your TV or monitor with the supplied cable, then leverage ARC/eARC technology to send audio to your receiver or home theater setup. If you want great sound from your sound bar or receiver, check to see if it (and your TV) supports ARC/eARC.

Troubleshooting Your 4K Television

If your system should support 4K and HDR content but it isn’t working (you can’t select the 4K UHD resolution, 4K features aren’t supported in the 4K TV details screen, 4K content won’t play, or you’re seeing video quality problems), trying the following:

Make sure the Xbox is automatically detecting your TV. Go to Settings -> Display & sound and choose Auto-detect (4K isn’t available when HDMI or DVI is manually selected)

For HDR, make sure your TV and the HDMI port you are connected to supports HDR10. Check your TV manual to verify. Some manufacturers may not mention HDR10, so look up the terms we called above above

Check your TV’s settings menu. Your TV might have a special mode that turns on 4K or HDR. Refer to your TV manual to see if you must change your TV’s settings. Again, your TV manufacturer may use different names for HDR (see the previous list)

If some content won’t play, make sure your TV supports HDCP 2.2 and that it’s turned on in your TV’s settings

Make sure you’re using the HDMI 2.1 cable that came with your Xbox Series X

If a device is plugged in between your TV and Xbox, remove it and plug your TV directly into your Xbox with the HDMI cable that came with the Xbox Series X, then use an ARC/eARC setup mentioned above. Also, make sure you’re using cables certified for Xbox Series X (Ultra High Speed HDMI) or Xbox Series S (HDMI High Speed or HDMI Premium) between both the Xbox and receiver and the receiver and TV if you still wish to do a passthrough setup.

Always be updating! Make sure your TV and AV receiver firmware is up to date. Sometimes problems are detected after televisions move off of the manufacturing lots and a simple firmware update is all that stands between you and 4K gaming. Many newer televisions have a network device onboard that can make this a pretty easy process, so try updating your TV to see if that may help enable 4K and HDR

If you’re seeing a blank screen or errors while trying to play 4K content and you’ve tried all previous steps, turn off native 4K playback and try to play the content in a lower resolution. In Settings -> General -> TV & Display Options -> Advanced -> Video modes, uncheck the option to Allow 4K.

If you’re seeing strange colors while playing HDR content and you’ve tried all previous steps, turn HDR off. In Settings -> General -> TV & Display Options -> Advanced -> Video modes, uncheck the option to Allow HDR10 and/or Auto HDR.

If you’re seeing visual corruption while playing games and you’ve tried all previous steps, then turn off variable refresh rate. In Settings->General->TV & Display Options->Advanced->Video modes, uncheck the option to Allow Variable Refresh Rate.

Alternatively, changing the refresh rate (Settings->General->TV & Display Options->Refresh rate) to 60Hz should avoid the problem for users that prefer VRR over 120Hz.

Calibrate for Preference

Once you get up and running with 4K and HDR there are additional ways to tune your television picture to your preference. Xbox Series X consoles have a calibration tool to help you tune advanced picture settings including brightness, sharpness, contrast and more. It is available in Settings -> General -> TV & Display Options -> Setup -> Calibrate TV.

We’ve also got a new calibration tool that will allow you to calibrate your HDR settings for games. This can be found Settings -> General -> TV & Display Options -> Setup -> Calibrate HDR for Games.

How to Enable 4K/HDR on Some Popular Television Brands

Each television set has its own unique settings to navigate to. We’ve included rough instructions here for some of the most popular screens on the market, but we recommend to always check the manual that came with your television for the most accurate settings.

LG

Settings -> All Settings -> General -> HDMI ULTRA HD Deep Color -> Enable (on desired port)

Panasonic

Menu -> Setup -> HDMI HDR Setting -> HDMI port (where your Xbox is connected to) -> Change to “On”

Philips

Menu -> Setup -> TV Settings -> Installation -> Preferences -> HDMI mode -> HDMI port (where your Xbox is connected to) -> Switch to “Normal”

Samsung

Settings -> Picture -> Expert Settings (or Picture Options) -> HDMI UHD Color -> Turn “On” HDMI UHD Color

Sony Bravia

Home -> Settings -> External Inputs -> HDMI signal format -> Change to Enhanced format (the default is Standard)

Vizio

SmartCast -> Settings -> Inputs -> HDMI Color Subsampling -> Enable HDR

The new Vizio P-series require the following TV setting to be changed to enable HDMI 2.1 functionality: Menu->Picture->Input Picture Settings->HDMI Mode->2.1

We hope these tips help you experience the best of Xbox Series X|S next gen visuals. For more frequently asked questions and answers, we recommend you check out the comprehensive Xbox Series X|S FAQ here.
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Source: You're Ready to Power Your Dreams - Is Your TV? - Xbox Wire

See also: Xbox Series X|S FAQ - Xbox Support

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Windows 10: Xbox Series X|S Auto HDR is coming to Windows 10

Xbox Series X|S Auto HDR is coming to Windows 10

Xbox Series X|S Auto HDR is coming to Windows 10

Xbox Series X|S Auto HDR is coming to Windows 10

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