SDR to HDR Converter

SDR to HDR Converter | Online Free Tool | Elysia Tools

Tool usage guide

Learn when to use this tool, what it supports, and how real users apply it.

Key facts

Category: Media
Input types: file, select, range
Output type: file
Sample coverage: 4
API ready: Yes

Overview

The SDR to HDR Converter allows you to transform Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) videos into vibrant High Dynamic Range (HDR) formats. By expanding the color gamut to the BT.2020 color space and enhancing brightness, contrast, and saturation, this tool upgrades your standard footage for modern HDR-compatible displays.

When to use

When you need to prepare standard definition or SDR video clips for playback on HDR10, HDR10+, or HLG compatible televisions and monitors.
When you want to remaster older video footage by boosting its peak brightness, contrast, and color saturation to match modern display standards.
When you are exporting video projects for platforms that support high dynamic range content and require BT.2020 color space encoding.

How it works

1Upload your SDR video file in MP4, MOV, MKV, or other supported video formats up to 500 MB.
2Select your target HDR format, such as HDR10, HLG, or HDR10+, and adjust the brightness, saturation, and contrast enhancement sliders.
3Configure the output quality (CRF), encoding speed preset, and desired container format, then initiate the conversion to generate your enhanced HDR video file.

Use cases

Remastering legacy SDR home videos or archival footage to display with richer colors and higher contrast on modern HDR TVs.
Preparing broadcast-ready video content by converting standard footage into the HLG format.
Enhancing gameplay recordings captured in SDR to make highlights pop and shadows deeper before uploading to HDR-supported video platforms.

Examples

1. Remastering Legacy Travel Footage

Independent Videographer

Background

A videographer has a collection of scenic travel videos shot in standard dynamic range (SDR) that look washed out on modern 4K HDR displays.

Problem

The footage lacks the vibrant highlights and deep contrast expected by modern clients viewing on HDR10 screens.

How to use

Upload the SDR MP4 video, select HDR10 as the target format, set brightness enhancement to 40, contrast enhancement to 15, and set the encoding speed to slow for maximum quality.

{
  "videoFile": "scenic_italy.mp4",
  "hdrFormat": "hdr10",
  "brightnessEnhancement": 40,
  "contrastEnhancement": 15,
  "crf": 16,
  "preset": "slow",
  "outputFormat": "mp4"
}

Outcome

A high-quality HDR10 MP4 video with expanded BT.2020 color space, brighter highlights, and richer contrast.

2. Preparing Broadcast-Ready HLG Video

Broadcast Editor

Background

A television editor needs to deliver a short promotional clip for a broadcast channel that requires the HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) standard.

Problem

The original source clip was recorded in standard SDR Rec. 709 format.

FAQ

What HDR formats are supported?

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

What is the recommended CRF value for high-quality HDR output?

A Constant Rate Factor (CRF) of 16 is recommended to maintain high visual quality during the HDR conversion process.

Can I convert large video files?

Yes, the tool supports video file uploads up to 500 MB in size.

How does the tool simulate HDR from an SDR source?

It remaps the color space to BT.2020 and applies custom brightness, contrast, and saturation boosts to expand the dynamic range.

Which output video formats can I choose from?

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

{
  "videoFile": "promo_clip.mov",
  "hdrFormat": "hlg",
  "saturationBoost": 10,
  "crf": 18,
  "preset": "medium",
  "outputFormat": "mov"
}

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Inputs

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Learn when to use this tool, what it supports, and how real users apply it.

Key facts

Overview

When to use

How it works

Use cases

Examples

1. Remastering Legacy Travel Footage

2. Preparing Broadcast-Ready HLG Video

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