MSI has added a new HDR setting called EOTF Boost to its QD-OLED monitor lineup, offering notably brighter output under the same average picture levels compared to the previous HDR1000 and HDR True Black 400 modes. According to MSI, this new mode delivers enhanced brightness by more closely following the brightness curve without requiring manual adjustment.
MSI QD-OLED EOTF Boost
Under identical Average Picture Level (APL) conditions, EOTF Boost delivers higher brightness output compared to HDR1000 mode. Testing performed by Monitors Unboxed indicates that EOTF Boost outperforms previous modes by maintaining true peak brightness near 1,000 nits while reducing dimming during mid‑APL scenes (such as during bright-to-dark transitions and vice versa), albeit some edge cases do render this feature less effective.
The reason behind this less-than-ideal consistency comes down to the nature of the panel itself. Currently, Samsung is the exclusive supplier of all QD-OLED panels on the market today, and these panels have an inherent power saving feature that causes the mid-APL dimming. As such, monitor makers like MSI have to engineer what is essentially a workaround to counteract its effects.
The feature is available by default on new MSI OLED monitors equipped with the latest firmware, including the MAG 272QP QD-OLED X50 and the upcoming MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50. MSI has also confirmed that existing QD-OLED models will also receive support for EOTF Boost through a firmware update beginning in August.
Pokdepinion: HDR can be sometimes finicky to use – this is one of the reasons. Good to see MSI solving one of the pain points though.
