HDR Question?

[imported_Noob]

Can it be supported in SM 2.0b? Valve is implementing it into HL2 and CSS. And there is already a mini-mod for HDR Bloom that only requires an SM 2.0 supported card. I already see a difference when it comes to the lights. The "bloom" of the lights seems more detailed. And the mini-mod has only semi-HDR support.

I do not wish to start an X800 vs. 6800 discussion. I just want to know if SM 2.0b can support HDR.

 

[Genx87]

Yes it can be done with SM2. It just depends on the implementation of it. Valves will work on SM2.0 cards(although it may make the 9800s and 5900s crumble). While Ubisofts Farcry only works on 6800s.

 

[LTC8K6]

I recall HDR effects being demoed with 9700's.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

yeah just check out that rhtjible or whatever demo, thats plain straight HDR right there, ATi even had a demo to show off their new 9700Pro when it came out. it was a HDR demo that involved them crystal ball things in some woods or something. SM2.0 is capable for HDR for sure

the only reason HDR only works on 6800's in farcry is becuase they used the OpenEXR or something standard. think it required more than what was needed for complete SM3 support, 64bit something or other...64bit blend or something? i dunno, others can fill u in on that. farcrys HDR is just one way to do HDR, there are many others i assume

 

[Munky]

Yeah, there's a HDR demo using OpenGL inside the Ati SDK, and it runs fine on my 9800. I think it depends on how developers implement it, and with programmable shaders, there's gotta be ways to implement almost any visual effect now.

 

[Genx87]

I believe Ubisofts HDR requires float blends which the X800s and below cant do.

 

[Pete]

Yes, apparently without FP blending or buffering, you either need to avoid transparencies or take a huge performance hit with them. So, it seems you can achieve HDR effects with SM2 hardware, but you really need FP blends/buffers to make it easy to work with.