Subtitles and OSD render darker when using `target-trc=pq` compared to `target-trc=gamma2.2` or `target-trc=bt.1886`

mpv Information

mpv v0.41.0-774-g2339eb727 Copyright © 2000-2026 mpv/MPlayer/mplayer2 projects
 built on Jun 24 2026 14:39:44
libplacebo version: v7.365.0 (v7.360.0-89-gef14f120)
FFmpeg version: N-125257-g4ba56d8ab7
FFmpeg library versions:
   libavcodec      63.0.100
   libavdevice     63.0.100
   libavfilter     12.0.100
   libavformat     63.0.100
   libavutil       61.0.100
   libswresample   7.0.100
   libswscale      10.0.100

Other Information

- Linux version: Nobara Linux 43 (KDE Plasma Desktop Edition)
- Kernel Version: 7.0.9
- GPU Model: Intel Corporation TigerLake-LP GT2 [Iris Xe Graphics]
- Mesa/GPU Driver Version: Mesa 26.2.0-devel
- Window Manager and Version: KDE Plasma 6.6.4
- Source of mpv: Built from source
- Latest known working version: N/A
- Issue started after the following happened: N/A

Reproduction Steps

"Enable EDR" is set for my SDR laptop display.

In default setting mpv picks target-trc=pq in this configuration, instead of target-trc=gamma2.2. However, the video looks identical regardless of which TRC is being picked. The difference is in how subtitles and OSD are rendered, where target-trc=pq makes them much darker compared to target-trc=gamma2.2.

Expected Behavior

Subtitles and OSD render the same, or at least look the same for both options.

Actual Behavior

Subtitles and OSD render much darker under target-trc=pq.

mpv --target-trc=pq:

mpv --target-trc=gamma2.2:

Log File

mpv --target-trc=pq:

mpv_pq.txt

mp --target-trc=gamma2.2:

mpv_gamma22.txt

Sample Files

No response

I carefully read all instruction and confirm that I did the following:

• I tested and confirmed that the issue exists with the latest release version or newer.
• I provided all required information including system and mpv version.
• I produced the log file with the exact same set of files, parameters, and conditions used in "Reproduction Steps", with the addition of --log-file=output.txt.
• I produced the log file while the behaviors described in "Actual Behavior" were actively observed.
• I attached the full, untruncated log file.
• I attached the backtrace in the case of a crash.

Start by comparing the attached mpv_pq.txt and mpv_gamma22.txt logs, using the exact --target-trc=pq and --target-trc=gamma2.2 reproductions on an EDR-enabled display. Trace the subtitle and OSD rendering behavior for these two transfer curves, then verify that both render with matching brightness while preserving the reported video output.