# SDR to HDR Converter

Convert SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) videos to HDR (High Dynamic Range) format with enhanced brightness and BT.2020 color space

> Canonical page: https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/video-sdr-to-hdr

- **Category:** Media

- **Keywords:** video, sdr, hdr, convert, enhance, upscaling, bt2020, dynamic-range

## Overview

The SDR to HDR Converter allows you to upgrade standard dynamic range (SDR) video files into high dynamic range (HDR) formats like HDR10, HLG, or HDR10+. By expanding the color gamut to the BT.2020 color space and applying customizable brightness, saturation, and contrast enhancements, this tool optimizes your footage for modern HDR-compatible displays.

## Inputs

- **Video File** (file): Select the SDR video file to convert
- **HDR Format** (select): Target HDR format for conversion
- **Brightness Enhancement** (range): Enhance brightness to simulate HDR (0-100)
- **Saturation Boost** (range): Increase color saturation (0-50)
- **Contrast Enhancement** (range): Enhance contrast (0-50)
- **Output Quality (CRF)** (range): Lower = better quality (18 recommended for HDR)
- **Encoding Speed** (select)
- **Output Format** (select)

## When to use

- When you need to prepare legacy SDR video content for playback on modern HDR10 or HLG compatible televisions and monitors.
- When you want to boost the visual impact of a video by expanding its color space to BT.2020 and increasing peak brightness.
- When you are mastering video content for streaming platforms or broadcasts that require HDR10+ or HLG formats.

## How it works

- Upload your SDR video file in MP4, WebM, MKV, AVI, or MOV format.
- Select your target HDR format (HDR10, HLG, or HDR10+) and adjust the brightness, saturation, and contrast enhancement levels.
- Choose your preferred output quality (CRF), encoding speed preset, and output file format.
- Click convert to process the video, mapping the color space to BT.2020 and generating the HDR-compatible output file.

## Use cases

- Upgrading standard definition or older HD video clips to match modern HDR display standards.
- Enhancing color saturation and peak brightness of outdoor footage for a more vivid presentation.
- Preparing broadcast-ready HLG video files from standard dynamic range source files.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which HDR formats are supported?

The converter supports HDR10 (PQ), HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma for broadcast), and HDR10+.

### What is the maximum video file size I can upload?

You can upload video files up to 50 MB in size.

### What does the CRF setting do?

CRF controls the output quality; a lower value like 18 provides higher quality, which is recommended for HDR content.

### Does this tool convert the color space to BT.2020?

Yes, the conversion process maps the standard Rec. 709 color space of SDR to the wider BT.2020 color space used by HDR.

### Which output video formats can I choose?

You can export your converted HDR video as MP4, WebM, MKV, AVI, or MOV.

## Related tools

- [Animated WebP/APNG to MP4](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/animated-webp-apng-to-mp4): Convert animated WebP or APNG images to MP4 video format using ImageMagick or FFmpeg command line tools
- [AVI to MP4 Converter](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/avi-to-mp4): Convert AVI video files to MP4 format
- [FLV to MP4 Converter](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/flv-to-mp4): Convert FLV video files to MP4 format
- [Convert GIF to MP4](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/gif-to-mp4): Convert GIF images to MP4 video format with customizable quality and resolution settings
- [Convert GIF to WebM](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/gif-to-webm): Convert GIF images to WebM video format with modern compression and web optimization
- [MKV to MP4 Converter](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/mkv-to-mp4): Convert MKV video files to MP4 format
- [MOV to MP4 Converter](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/mov-to-mp4): Convert MOV video files to MP4 format
- [MP4 to AVI Converter](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/mp4-to-avi): Convert MP4 video files to AVI format

## Samples

- [Web Image Processing Python Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/web-image-processing-python): Web Python image processing examples using PIL/Pillow including reading, saving, resizing, and format conversion
- [Android Image Processing Java Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/android-image-processing-java): Android Java image processing examples including reading/saving images, scaling, and format conversion
- [Android Image Processing Kotlin Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/android-image-processing-kotlin): Android Kotlin image processing examples including reading/saving images, scaling, and format conversion
- [macOS Image Processing Objective-C Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/macos-image-processing-objectivec): macOS Objective-C image processing examples including image reading/saving, image scaling, and format conversion

## Related content

- [Video Color Correction, Looks, and Delivery](https://elysiatools.com/en/hubs/video-color-grading-and-filters-tools): Correct exposure and color in video, add a restrained LUT or filter look, and handle interlacing or HDR/SDR delivery separately.