S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 - HDR Optimized Settings
🕑 Added 2024-11-20 23:54:40 +0000 UTC
The game is NOT using/applying Xbox or PC HDR Calibration app settings.
The game has a fairly good but confusing HDR implementation as it can actually reach 4.000 nits (in a cumbersome way) with many different in-game HDR settings...which can be improved from default.
CALIBRATION RE-DONE AND SETTINGS UPDATED!

First of all in order to activate HDR you should use Exclusive Fullscreen Mode (and not Borderless) on PC otherwise you can't enabled it. On Console should be activated automatically
Once HDR is activated, leave Contrast to 75% . This alone will have crushed black but it's the only value which preserve the High Dynamic Range of HDR
Then:
If you have an LG OLED and:
> you're using Dynamic Tone Mapping or Dynamic Contrast:
Set Brightness to: 50 (and not higher or the image will be washed out)
> you're using HGIG:
Set Brightness to: 40 (for 800 nits) or 46 (for G2/C4) or 55 (for G3/G4)
If you don't have an LG OLED and:
> you don't have an HGIG option:
Set Brightness to: 46 (for around 1.000 nits)
> you're using HGIG:
Set Brightness to the corresponding real Peak HDR Luminance of your TV in "nits" (40 = 800 nits; 46 = 1.000 nits ; 55 = 1.500 nits ; 60 = 2.000 nits)

In all cases:
Leave Gamma to 44% (Default on PC; but try it also on Consoles)
Leave HDR Black point to -4 (Default)
Leave HDR White point to 1.000 (Default)
Set HDR Brightness to 40 in order to fix the aforementioned black crush
Set HDR UI Brightness to 0% in order to minimize the risk of OLED burn-in
BONUS:
Use Performance/60fps mode on Xbox Series X
Go to Interface section and set UI Opacity to 50% to further minimize the risk of OLED burn in
PC Only: if you have massive framerate drops when talking closer to NPCs, set the "Hair Quality" option to Medium instead of High/Epic
PC Only: to improve visual quality but at the same time improve/remove stutters, increase performance and lower input latency have a look at my Ultimate Engine Tweaks Mod here :)
Enjoy :)
-P
Comments
P40L0
I think that's just the way the game was color graded in HDR
Artur Oleszczuk
Those are settings I have already came up with after watching some explanatory video how HDR works in this game, but as bought, it's a tip for nexus ini tweak you came up with for this game that helped me :) And as I'm here, with HDR enabled nights are much brighter than SDR, it's literally like stormy weather bright, so no flashlight even needed, but in the same time interiors are darker than with SDR. It's a weird thing with this game. Is there any way to fix this? I'm using Alienware 3225 peak1000 mode, all calibrations for this monitor are done even fixed windows HDR with ColorControl and other broken things so it's only game related problems.
P40L0
No they don't. As stated keep HDR Brightness at 40 but change Brightness as recommended for your monitor (46 = 1.000 nits)
Carlos Gutierrez
Does HDR Brightness and Brightness have to be the same value? I have max 1000 nits on my monitor so 46 Brightness and HDR Brightness? Monitor I use is the Odyssey OLED G8.
P40L0
https://www.patreon.com/posts/77041300
NaRiCo94
How can I get ColorControl on my LG C3?
P40L0
Normal = 800 nits
Vincenzo
For a LG C2 what kind of settings do I have to follow? The normal, G2 or G3?
P40L0
Yes
Евгений Макаренко
Already saw it, in my case for cx I need to set 40 in both brightness and hdr brightness, same for both items, am I correct?
Евгений Макаренко
Hello, please tell me, I am confused, there is brightness and there is hdr brightness, which value should be set where? Because in the updated config only information on one brightness and I do not understand 40 for 800nit (lg cx) to put in what line? I will be grateful
P40L0
Gamma apparently do nothing in HDR but only SDR. Try setting Brightness to 50 and see if it's better (I will update the post if it does)
Matt
I seem to be getting a washed out picture using the updated values. I'm using a C1 with DTM enabled on Series X. I took some screenshots to show what I mean; top is default settings, while the bottom are with your settings: https://imgur.com/a/ZHiIda7 My gamma also defaults to 30% as well.
Jakub Rupinski
Yep, default gamma is 30 on series X for me
P40L0
Yes if you want to enable it in HDR Filmmaker Mode preset
Fabio
Do you need ColorControl to get HGIG on LG 23+ OLED?
P40L0
Still try using all my values combined.
PureGonzo
Which defaults do you have? I’m also on Series X
Sam
Those aren't the defaults I have on Xbox Series X.
P40L0
It depends as always. On pre-2023 LG OLEDs I would say Game Mode + DTM. On 2023+ ones I would say ALLM + FMM + HGIG.
Евгений Макаренко
Thanks!!!
PureGonzo
Thanks! Would you recommend DTM or HGiG for Xbox?
Barbarian
Thanks!