Are You Losing HDR When Converting 4K Movies? A VideoProc Converter Deep Dive

For video enthusiasts and data hoarders, preserving video quality is paramount. With the rise of 4K HDR TVs, ensuring your movie collection retains its high dynamic range (HDR) characteristics is crucial for the ultimate viewing experience. But what happens when you compress those large 4K files? Are you unknowingly stripping away the HDR that makes them shine?

A recent Reddit post in r/VideoEditing highlights this exact concern, with a user questioning whether VideoProc Converter is truly preserving HDR when compressing 4K movies. Let's delve into the issue and explore potential solutions.

The Problem: HDR Loss During Conversion

The original poster (OP) noticed their new OLED TV wasn't displaying the HDR logo when playing videos processed with VideoProc Converter. Using MediaInfo, they confirmed that the converted files had indeed lost their HDR format. This is a significant issue for anyone who values video quality and wants to make the most of their HDR-capable display.

VideoProc Converter Settings and Potential Pitfalls

The OP's conversion settings included:

• Codec: HEVC/MKV
• Bitrate Mode: ABR (Average Bitrate) targeting 16,000 kbps
• Quality Setting: "High Quality"

While these settings seem reasonable for 4K compression, they might not guarantee HDR preservation. Here's why:

• HDR Support in Codecs and Containers: Not all codecs and container formats fully support HDR. While HEVC (H.265) generally supports HDR, the specific implementation within VideoProc Converter might be a factor. MKV is a container format and usually supports HDR, so the issue is most likely the HEVC codec settings.
• Bitrate Sufficiency: 16,000 kbps should be sufficient for 4K, but the optimal bitrate depends on the video's complexity and the specific HDR format (e.g., HDR10, Dolby Vision). Lower bitrates can lead to quality degradation, potentially impacting HDR.
• Software Settings: The "High Quality" setting may not be enough to guarantee HDR passthrough. Some software requires specific HDR-related settings to be enabled.

Investigating VideoProc Converter's HDR Capabilities

To determine if VideoProc Converter is the culprit, consider the following:

1. Consult the Documentation: Refer to the VideoProc Converter manual or online help resources to check for specific instructions on preserving HDR during conversion. Look for settings related to HDR10, Dolby Vision, or HLG.
2. Experiment with Different Settings: Try different codec settings, such as H.265 Main10 profile, which is specifically designed for 10-bit color depth and HDR. Also, test different bitrate settings to see if a higher bitrate resolves the issue.
3. Contact Support: Reach out to VideoProc Converter's support team for assistance. They may have specific recommendations or be aware of known issues related to HDR conversion.

Alternative Video Conversion Tools

If VideoProc Converter consistently fails to preserve HDR, consider exploring alternative video conversion tools. Some popular options known for their robust HDR support include:

• Handbrake: A free and open-source video transcoder with advanced settings, including HDR passthrough.
• FFmpeg: A command-line tool that offers granular control over video encoding, making it ideal for advanced users.
• Adobe Media Encoder: A professional-grade video encoder integrated with the Adobe Creative Cloud suite.

Preserving HDR: Key Considerations

Regardless of the software you use, keep these best practices in mind:

• Choose the Right Codec: Opt for codecs that explicitly support HDR, such as HEVC (H.265) Main10.
• Maintain Sufficient Bitrate: Experiment with different bitrates to find the sweet spot between file size and quality. A general rule of thumb is that higher bitrates are better for preserving HDR.
• Enable HDR Passthrough: Look for settings that explicitly allow HDR passthrough or preservation. This ensures the software doesn't inadvertently strip away the HDR metadata.

The Importance of Display Compatibility

It's also crucial to ensure your playback device and display are fully compatible with the HDR format of your video files. For example, a TV that only supports HDR10 won't properly display Dolby Vision content.

Conclusion

Losing HDR during video conversion is a frustrating experience, but it's often avoidable with the right settings and software. By understanding the potential pitfalls and following the recommendations outlined above, you can ensure your 4K movie collection retains its stunning HDR quality for years to come. Remember to always test your conversions and verify that the HDR metadata is intact using tools like MediaInfo.

If you are into Video Editing, you might be interested in reading our article about [how AI is revolutionizing video editing](insert internal link here). Also, understanding different video formats can greatly enhance your video editing experience. This article from techtarget.com is a good resource.