Plex recently rolled out a hardware tone mapping to the Windows version of the Plex media server. You can see it in action in my latest monthly sponsored Plex video.
Previously exclusive to Linux, this feature now allows Windows users with supported Intel processors to transcode HDR video to SDR with hardware acceleration, making it more accessible for out-of-home streaming on devices like phones and tablets. While the update brings much-needed capability to Windows, there are notable differences in how the feature is configured compared to its Linux counterpart.
To enable hardware tone mapping on Windows, users need at least a Tiger Lake processor or newer. This requirement contrasts with Linux, which supports older hardware, including Kaby Lake processors from 2016. The configuration process in Windows involves navigating to the hardware transcoder menu, where HDR tone mapping can be switched on if it isn’t already. Users can manually adjust settings for saturation, contrast, and brightness to optimize the output for different devices. These adjustments apply server-wide, affecting all transcoding sessions. While this manual configuration allows for flexibility, it also requires more effort from the user.
Linux simplifies the process with pre-baked algorithms for tone mapping. These presets eliminate the need for manual adjustments, allowing users to select an option that best suits their viewing devices. The detailed information about these algorithms is available in the support documentation provided by Plex.
In testing the Windows tone mapping feature, I used an HDR film and converted it to 720p HD. The hardware transcoder effectively handled the process, with CPU usage averaging around 27% and minimal memory impact. The output, however, was brighter than expected, contrary to Plex’s guidance about darker results.
For those with systems that include an NVIDIA GPU alongside an Intel or AMD processor, Windows users gain access to the same tone mapping algorithms as Linux, bypassing the need for manual configuration. Additionally, software-based tone mapping is an option, though it’s more resource-intensive and less efficient than hardware solutions.
For users focused on streaming full bit-rate media within the home, the tone mapping features are less critical. The Windows version of the Plex server reliably delivers video to devices like the NVIDIA Shield without the need for transcoding. However, for those who frequently transcode video for out-of-home use, the introduction of hardware tone mapping to Windows is a welcome addition. While it requires some manual effort, it now offers a somewhat viable alternative to Linux for handling HDR-to-SDR conversions.
Ultimately, this update broadens the options available to Plex users on Windows. While Linux remains the more streamlined and resource-efficient choice for extensive hardware transcoding, Windows users now get a more efficient solution HDR video transcoding.
Disclosure: This video was a paid sponsorship by Plex, however they did not review or approve this content before it was uploaded and all opinions are my own.