BrightXDR is a macOS proof-of-concept implementation that demonstrates how to upscale display content to XDR/HDR extra brightness on a selected part of the display. This is a demo showing one of possible implementations.
The main idea behind this project is to provide an open source and free-to-use alternative to existing apps that offer similar functionality for a price of up to €20. I believe that everyone should have access to powerful tools that enhance their display experience, regardless of their budget.
The app uses MetalKit to overlay the CIImage with a solid color in EDR color space based on the maximum headroom available right over the screen windows.
Both screenshots captured on maximum brightness of display with Apple XDR (P3-1600 nits) preset.
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Possible supported devices: Apple MacBook Pro with 14 or 16 inches and Apple Pro Display XDR.
- Calibrate output colors - The current implementation uses a white ultra-bright color with an alpha of 0.5 overlaying the display pixels, which can lead to color inaccuracy and brightness losses.
- Fullscreen & System-wide - The app currently works on a selected part of the display only. It needs to be extended to support fullscreen and system-wide overlay.
- Performance - The app needs to be optimized for better performance and to reduce resource usage.
If you're interested in learning more about the technologies used in this app, check out these articles and videos:
- Generating an Animation with a Core Image Render Destination
- WWDC 2022 Session 10114: Display EDR content with Core Image, Metal, and SwiftUI
- WWDC 2022 Session 10113: Explore EDR on iOS
If you're looking for alternative applications that provide similar functionality, you might want to check out: