Simple post, Because we are unable to turn off native HDR in-game when HDR is enabled via windows, RTX HDR cannot be used. This small change gives Nvidia users a chance to play around with RTX HDR in this game, and that would be amazing!
Thanks!
Allow "Native HDR" to be turned off in-game > so RTX HDR can be used as an alternative
Just wondering - have you tried going into C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Athena\Saved\Config\WindowsClient\GameUserSettings.ini and changing HDR=True to HDR=False?
If not, might be worth giving it a shot, and lemme know if it helps.
PS. after saving changes in case the game reverts it to True when you open the game, also try making the file read-only (after saving), so the game can't overwrite it, and try again. Would've tested this myself, but sadly I'm on an AMD card
Alright, so i tried a couple of things
Disabled HDR via the GameUserSettings.ini to False
Then enabled RTX HDR and set RTX HDR to "On" in Nvidia App for Sea of Thieves
Launched Sea of thieves
Nvidia control panel shows RTX HDR as inactive
HDR is not active ingame > checked the ingame settings and the HDR calibration setting was not there (so confirmed the game has HDR disabled)I then went into Nvidia app and enabled "Game filters and Photo Mode"
Re-launched Sea of Thieves, and noticed that although RTX HDR was still showing as "inactive" the visuals were much better and in the menu's ingame white was very bright and looked great like HDR was enabledi just want to highlight "game filters and photo mode" isn't required for RTX HDR to work, but it seems to make the difference here
Ok can confirm, having "Game filters and Photo Mode" turned on in the nvidia app, with RTX HDR On makes the difference, and seems to work (even though it says inactive in the control panel)
I've tried the combinations of RTX HDR On only / Game filters and photo mode off + HDR on / Game filters and photo mode on + RTX HDR offI see a huge difference with Game filters and photo mode on + RTX HDR on > looks great
Would love to see testing from other users
I got AI to summarize the above for others with Nvidia cards to also test a better HDR option
Whatâs Happening?
Sea of Thieves' HDR Setting is Off
disabled HDR in GameUserSettings.ini, the game itself isnât outputting an HDR signal.
by default, Windows and Nvidia arenât treating the game as HDR-enabled.RTX HDR Appears Inactive in Nvidia Control Panel
Nvidiaâs RTX HDR works on a per-game basis and relies on the game outputting SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) content so it can tone-map it into HDR.
Sea of Thieves may not be detected properly as an SDR game because of how its HDR implementation works.As a result, RTX HDR looks inactive even though it's actually working.
Enabling âGame Filters and Photo Modeâ Changes Things
Game Filters apply post-processing effects in real time, which means they modify the gameâs image before it reaches the display.
When Game Filters are enabled, the gameâs SDR image is forced through Nvidiaâs post-processing pipeline before display output.
Since Nvidiaâs RTX HDR feature is also post-processing-based, this could be the reason why enabling Game Filters âwakes it up.âEven though RTX HDR still says "inactive," the image being processed has changed significantly.
Why Does This Look Like HDR?
Even though the game isn't natively outputting HDR, the combination of RTX HDR + Game Filters is boosting the imageâs luminance and contrast.
The bright whites and improved colors you see are likely the result of tone mapping and increased brightness range applied by Nvidiaâs algorithms.
Final TakeawayGame Filters + RTX HDR work together to enhance SDR content, even if the control panel doesnât say RTX HDR is active.
Sea of Thieves' built-in HDR is bypassed, but Nvidiaâs post-processing tricks the eye into seeing an HDR-like effect.
The "inactive" label in the control panel is likely just a display issue, not an actual indicator of functionality.
As a result, RTX HDR looks inactive even though it's actually working.
After reading your first summary I was about to suggest this hahaha :D Appreciate you sharing all of this mate!
Very interesting indeed, and also very plausible. I think I have another example to give, with Lossless Scaling app (FG+upscaling) and Reshade (another post processing app, but an injector)
Every feature this app has is basically post processing, whether it be FG or scaling, or both. It's just that FG comes after scaling in the pipeline. If you're using Reshade for example, since it's an injector, the pipeline will be Game - Reshade - Lossless Scaling.
If you have HDR enabled in Windows, you need to check HDR box on Lossless Scaling for each game you run, otherwise colors and contrast go absolutely nuts, whether your game supports it or not:
- If your game doesn't support HDR - nothing will change (but it will look normal) when using LS FG/Scalling (the same as your desktop HDR settings)
- If your game does support HDR - again, everything will look normal, as you will have in game options to set up.
Now comes the interesting part - there are some HDR-agnostic shaders (that require HDR enabled in Windows) available for Reshade. For games that you don't like their own HDR implementation, you can download these shaders, disable game HDR, check HDR in Lossless Scaling, and everything will work great, and you can tweak HDR shader in Reshade.
The pipeline there is, as mentioned before = Game - Reshade (postprocessed HDR) - LS scaling - LS FG
For this reason, I believe it's not out of reach saying that RTX HDR only says inactive, even though it is. This might be worth checking with Nvidia themselves, not just game devs. After all, it is postprocessing HDR effect. Only a matter where it stands in the pipeline and how it interacts with other factors.
I mean, HDR is still weird and often bugged/poorly implemented on PC gaming hahah.
@r3vanns Ha ha, very true
Now ill have to run testing on the steam version of the game (next sale maybe), to see if maybe the Microsoft store client is a factor in all of this.... đ
Let me remind you that using Reshade is not a good idea. From the Enforcement Policy Updates:
Using ReShade Filters
The use of Third-Party Tools to modify the visual experience of Sea of Thieves such as ReShade filters is considered a bannable offence.
@mopwieldinghedgehog said in Allow "Native HDR" to be turned off in-game > so RTX HDR can be used as an alternative:
Let me remind you that using Reshade is not a good idea. From the Enforcement Policy Updates:
Using ReShade Filters
The use of Third-Party Tools to modify the visual experience of Sea of Thieves such as ReShade filters is considered a bannable offence.
Indeed, that's why I've never given SoT as an example, but specifically used the term "games".
Since we are now anyways talking about this, and to further educate anyone interested in this matter - Reshade itself isn't a problem (not saying SoT, but in general). However:
- Using any shader that is dependent on any game's depth buffer, can lead to a ban. Simple reason - many hacks are dependent on a game's depth buffer. If a game/anti-cheat picks it up, you're cooked.
- Reshade automatically disables depth buffer if it detects network activity (a.k.a. playing online games)
- Ultimately, there are some games that actually pick up on Reshade anyways, and you may get banned. So have this in mind. There is a list of supported/unsupported games for Reshade.
That said, if a shader (in this case, HDR one) isn't dependent on a game's depth buffer, and for as long as you don't force Reshade to use the depth buffer in online games, you SHOULD be alright in most games, as long as you're not doing anything suspicious and/or cheating.
Keyword is "should". Because you may debate Reshade being an injector, like cheat software, but at the same time - post processing effect without touching game depth buffer shouldn't be a threat. Hell, then give players more options for tuning in color profiles, effects, and stuff like that, and they won't feel the need to use 3rd party software due to games having unreasonable lack of graphics customizations.
There are tons of games with EAC that don't detect and ban for Reshade. And for this same reason.
But yea, for SoT - it's a violation. Even though a lame one, especially if not using depth buffer.
We're just being purely academical here @MopWieldingHedgehog.... you know.... science theories and stuff. Heh, heh.... :'D
5 out of 9
