How to Convert HDR to SDR Effortlessly

High Dynamic Range (HDR) offers a higher color range, more brightness, and a highly immersive, realistic viewing experience. However, it also comes with a cost. For one, HDR content occupies lots of storage compared to Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) content. A few HDR videos can gobble up your storage, especially if you're storing them on a limited-storage device like a laptop or mobile. Further, not all devices support HDR content. So, if you wish to play the videos on unsupported devices, you might have to convert from HDR to SDR format. In this guide, we'll teach you how to convert HDR to SDR video standards using easy tools.

Part 1: What is HDR and SDR Content?

HDR (High Dynamic Range) and SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) are terms used to describe the range of brightness, contrast, and color a video or image can display.

1. What is HDR Content?

• Enhanced format that displays a wider range of brightness and deeper contrast.
• Supports more vibrant, realistic colors using wider color gamuts (like Rec. 2020).
• Allows details in both very dark and very bright areas.
• Requires HDR-compatible displays and content.

2. Overview of SDR Content?

• Traditional format used in most content before HDR became common.
• Limited brightness and contrast range.
• Uses a narrower color gamut (typically Rec. 709).
• Works well on older displays and standard monitors.

3. Differences Between HDR and SDR

In summary, HDR provides a more dynamic and vivid viewing experience compared to SDR but needs compatible hardware and content.

4. Why Need to Convert HDR to SDR Video?

Converting HDR to SDR is sometimes necessary to ensure compatibility, consistent quality, and optimal playback on devices that don't support HDR. Here's why:

• 1. Device Compatibility:Many older TVs, monitors, and media players do not support HDR.Playing HDR content on SDR screens can result in washed-out colors, poor contrast, or incorrect brightness.
• 2. Video Editing or Streaming Platforms:Some editing software or platforms like certain social media sites don't fully support HDR.HDR footage may appear too dark or oversaturated unless converted to SDR.
• 3. File Size and Performance:HDR files often have larger file sizes due to higher bit depth and color data.Converting to SDR can reduce file size, making storage, streaming, and sharing easier.
• 4. Consistent Viewing Experience:HDR content can look inconsistent across different non-HDR devices.Converting to SDR ensures that all viewers see balanced colors and brightness.

In short: Converting HDR to SDR ensures your content plays correctly and looks good on all devices, especially when sharing or editing on platforms that don't handle HDR well.

Part 2: Top 4 Methods to Convert HDR to SDR

1. HitPaw Univd [Editor's Choice!]

Unlike many other HDR to SDR converters, HitPaw Univd doesn't reduce the video quality drastically during conversion. In fact, HitPaw Univd specializes in HDR to SDR conversion at the original resolution, removing only the HDR effects. This preserves original video resolution, keeps the bulk of the original quality intact, and reduces file size dramatically. Additionally, Univd also features an AI-powered SDR to HDR converter in its toolkit.

HitPaw Univd - All-in-one Video Solutions for Win & Mac

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• Univd natively supports all video formats supporting HDR and SDR standards.
• Univd converts videos from HDR to SDR in minutes, if not seconds.
• Choose everything from video codec to audio codec to the bitrate of the SDR video.
• You can convert thousands of videos from HDR to SDR in a single session.
• Customizing video to a specific screen size or aspect ratio? Univd can do it all.
• Get previews of the output video before conversion to review the file size and output.

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How to Convert HDR Video to SDR with HitPaw Univd?

• Step 1: Import HDR Videos

Launch HitPaw Univd on your desktop >> Switch to the 'Converter' tab >> Drag HDR videos directly into the tool or use the 'Add Files' button to import them.


• Step 2: Choose Output Format

Open the 'Convert all to' menu at the bottom left corner >> In the 'Video' tab, choose an output format you like, such as MP4, AVI, MOV, etc.


• Step 3: Select Output Encoder

Click 'Pen' icon for a quality preset in the output settings window >> Customize encoding, quality, and other settings.


• Step 4: SDR to HDR Conversion

Hit 'Convert' or 'Convert All' to start convert video from HDR to SDR.

2. Handbrake

Handbrake is synonymous with video conversion among both professionals and amateurs. It's a free and open-source tool with some powerful video conversion features. It can handle HDR to SDR conversion with ease. However, it's a bit more complicated tool compared to the likes of HitPaw Univd, so it takes some patient learning to get used to this tool.

How to Convert HDR to SDR in Handbrake?

• Step 1:Download, install, and launch Handbrake >> Go to 'File' >> Drag the video directly into the upload box or use the options on the left panel to use the file explorer to do it.

• Step 2:Open the 'Preset' dropdown menu at the top right >> Choose a suitable output preset or leave it to the default 'Fast 1080p30' value >> Open 'Production' presets >> Choose 'Production Standard.'

  

• Step 3:Use 'Browse' at the bottom to choose the destination folder for the converted SDR file >> Hit 'Start Encode.'

  

3. Convertio

Convertio is a cloud-based HDR to SDR converter. In fact, it's a file converter with broad support for video file formats. So, you can convert videos in any file format from HDR to SDR. It's easy to use, offers a surprisingly good output for an online converter. However, it doesn't match the output quality of desktop tools like HitPaw Univd. So, it's good for odd HDR to SDR conversions but not for regular use or high-quality jobs.

How to Convert HDR Video to SDR in Convertio?

• Step 1:Visit Convertio's HDR to SDR converter page >> Click 'Choose Files' or add the cloud URL for the video.

  

• Step 2:Choose 'SDR' color gamut >> Hit Convert.

• Step 3:Click 'Convert' when you're ready >> After conversion, hit 'Download' to download the converted SDR videos.

4. FFmpeg

FFmpeg is the only tool you'll ever need for video conversion and editing. The caveat, however, is that it's a command-line tool, making it ideal for more experienced users. For beginners, it's a big no-no!

If you're comfortable using FFmpeg, it's one of the most powerful video conversion tools. In fact, it's an advanced tool for handling everything from conversion to compression to editing. The best part? FFmpeg is completely free and open-source.

How to Convert HDR to SDR in FFmpeg?

• Step 1:Download the FFmpeg ZIP file from the official source >> Create a folder in the C Drive on your desktop and rename it to 'FFmpegTool'>> Extract the contents of the FFmpeg ZIP file and move them to the FFmpegTool folder.

• Step 2:Create the HDR to SDR Conversion Command File. Open Notepad on your PC >> Paste the following code into it without the quotes: "F:\Torrents2\ffmpeg\bin\ffmpeg.exe -i F:\Torrents2\ffmpeg\bin\video-input.mp4 -vf zscale=t=linear:npl=100,format=gbrpf32le,zscale=p=bt709,tonemap=tonemap=hable:desat=0,zscale=t=bt709:m=bt709:r=tv,format=yuv420p -c:v libx264 -crf 25 -r:v 30 -c:a copy -preset ultrafast -tune fastdecode -max_muxing_queue_size 1024 F:\Torrents2\ffmpeg\bin\video-output.mp4"

  Save the file as "convert.bat" in the 'bin' folder inside 'FFmpegTool.'

• Step 3:Move your HDR video to F:\Torrents2\ffmpeg\bin\ >> Rename it to 'video-input.mp4'

• Step 4:Press' Windows key + R' on your PC >> Type 'cmd' in the Search box >> Click 'OK' to launch Command Prompt >> Type 'convert.bat'>> Press 'Enter' buttonto convert HDR video to SDR video named "video-output.mp4".

  

FAQs on HDR to SDR Converters

Conclusion

HDR videos look amazing, but they don't always work well on all devices. That's why converting them to SDR is helpful. While there are many tools with HDR to SDR conversion capability, HitPaw Univd is great for beginners and works fast. It also lets you convert thousands of HDR videos to SDR in a single session, which makes it the ideal tool for high-volume and high-productivity use cases. That's why, Univd is the preferred choice of professionals, amateurs, and influencers. Try it today.