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 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.

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

1Upload your SDR video file in MP4, WebM, MKV, AVI, or MOV format.
2Select your target HDR format (HDR10, HLG, or HDR10+) and adjust the brightness, saturation, and contrast enhancement levels.
3Choose your preferred output quality (CRF), encoding speed preset, and output file format.
4Click 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.

Examples

1. Upgrading Drone Footage to HDR10

Videographer

Background

A videographer shot scenic drone footage in standard Rec. 709 SDR but needs to deliver an HDR10 version for a client's high-end display portfolio.

Problem

The original video lacks the high dynamic range, peak highlights, and wide color gamut required for HDR10 displays.

How to use

Upload the MP4 drone video, select 'HDR10' as the HDR Format, set Brightness Enhancement to 40, Saturation Boost to 20, and set CRF to 18 for maximum quality.

videoFile: drone_sdr.mp4, hdrFormat: hdr10, brightnessEnhancement: 40, saturationBoost: 20, contrastEnhancement: 10, crf: 18, preset: slow, outputFormat: mp4

Outcome

An HDR10 MP4 video with expanded BT.2020 color space, brighter highlights, and rich colors suitable for HDR displays.

2. Converting Promo Video to HLG for Broadcast

Broadcast Engineer

Background

A television station needs to broadcast a promotional video on their HDR channel, which requires the HLG format.

Problem

The source promo video is in standard SDR format and does not meet the HLG broadcast specification.

How to use

FAQ

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.

videoFile: promo_sdr.mov, hdrFormat: hlg, brightnessEnhancement: 30, saturationBoost: 15, contrastEnhancement: 15, crf: 20, preset: slower, outputFormat: mov

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Examples that match this tool

Continue with connected tools and hubs

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. Upgrading Drone Footage to HDR10

2. Converting Promo Video to HLG for Broadcast

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