HDR on Davinci Resolve Studio

Get answers to your questions about color grading, editing and finishing with DaVinci Resolve.
  • Author
  • Message
Offline

ugo1973

  • Posts: 5
  • Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2022 12:18 pm
  • Real Name: Ugo Merlini

HDR on Davinci Resolve Studio

PostMon May 12, 2025 3:12 pm

Hi,
Can someone explain me the workflow to use HDR in Davinci Resolve Studio (I'm new in Davinci and I only the basic of the program)?
I have a HDR so i'm intersted in It?
Regards
Ugo Merlini
Offline

mpetech

  • Posts: 894
  • Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:52 pm
  • Real Name: Dom Silverio

Re: HDR on Davinci Resolve Studio

PostTue May 13, 2025 12:07 am

I can only speak about PQ HDR.

The answer can be very complex.

Assuming you just need to export for YouTube HDR….

Setup a color managed HDR project. PQ/ Rec2020 but P3 limited.
Set monitor peak brightness based on your monitors capabilities. Typically, 600 nits for OLED TV and 1000 nits for LED.
Import media.
Grade.
Export an H.265 Main10 HDR file.
Upload to YouTube and wait 2 hours to 1 week for the HDR to be processed.
Offline

ZRGARDNE

  • Posts: 927
  • Joined: Sun May 16, 2021 12:32 am
  • Real Name: Zeb Gardner

Re: HDR on Davinci Resolve Studio

PostTue May 13, 2025 1:24 am

If you are having problems with YT reconizing your HDR files as HDR, there is a known resolve bug where its metadata isn't correct for YT to accept the file as HDR.



viewtopic.php?f=21&t=212751&p=1127183&hilit=hdr+youtube#p1127183

You need to run through FFMPEG and have it fix tagging

Andrew Kolakowski wrote:
You can "fix" those files with ffmpeg:
Code: Select all
fmpeg.exe -i C:\TestAsHDR.mp4 -bsf:v hevc_metadata=transfer_characteristics=16:colour_primaries=9:matrix_coefficients=9 -c copy  -movflags +write_colr C:\out.mov


This will add PQ flagging to your file.



No clue if it is fixed in V20
Offline

ugo1973

  • Posts: 5
  • Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2022 12:18 pm
  • Real Name: Ugo Merlini

Re: HDR on Davinci Resolve Studio

PostTue May 13, 2025 6:20 am

Hi,

here my workflow

color management menù

Image

first node
Image

last node
Image
Offline

ugo1973

  • Posts: 5
  • Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2022 12:18 pm
  • Real Name: Ugo Merlini

Re: HDR on Davinci Resolve Studio

PostWed May 14, 2025 9:49 pm

Hi,
No One can help me?
Regards
Ugo
Offline

Mads Johansen

  • Posts: 1424
  • Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2016 10:51 am

Re: HDR on Davinci Resolve Studio

PostThu May 15, 2025 4:25 am

Okay, explain the ideas of your workflow, because it doesn't make sense to me.

Firstly, you start by doing Resolve Color Management, then do Color Space Transform. Why?

Secondly, what exactly is the issue? What doesn't work? What happens that you don't expect?
Davinci Resolve Studio 20 build 49, Windows 11, Ultra 7 265k, Nvidia 5070 TI, 576.80 Studio
Offline

ugo1973

  • Posts: 5
  • Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2022 12:18 pm
  • Real Name: Ugo Merlini

Re: HDR on Davinci Resolve Studio

PostThu May 15, 2025 6:14 am

Mads Johansen wrote:Okay, explain the ideas of your workflow, because it doesn't make sense to me.

Firstly, you start by doing Resolve Color Management, then do Color Space Transform. Why?

Secondly, what exactly is the issue? What doesn't work? What happens that you don't expect?


The workflow idea is to trasform panasonic v-log video files into hdr output
In color managment I set the projct properties that must match (is what I understand I must do first) my final work

then I create a first node to transform Vlog files to intermediate gamut to edit the files in the second node.
the last node need to trasform the intermediate gamut in HDR

The problem is that i'm not sure if I do the right procedure/use the right setting

Regards
Ugo
Offline

Mads Johansen

  • Posts: 1424
  • Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2016 10:51 am

Re: HDR on Davinci Resolve Studio

PostThu May 15, 2025 7:15 am

ugo1973 wrote:The workflow idea is to trasform panasonic v-log video files into hdr output
In color managment I set the projct properties that must match (is what I understand I must do first) my final work

then I create a first node to transform Vlog files to intermediate gamut to edit the files in the second node.
the last node need to trasform the intermediate gamut in HDR

The problem is that i'm not sure if I do the right procedure/use the right setting

Regards
Ugo


As an overview:
Transforming V-log to HDR: Since V-log is natively supported by RCM, there's no need to do anything with CST. See chapter 142 (Image Processing Order of Operations), page 3177 for details.
CST has effect strictly inside the Clip Grade section, RCM has effect from after Lens Correction to before Data Burn in.

What I think should happen: Video is converted to RCM Color Processing Mode (from V-log to Rec.2020 Intermediate), graded, converted to Output color space.
What you're doing is: Video is converted to RCM Color Processing mode (from V-log to Rec.2020 Intermediate), Converted from Rec.2020 Intermediate (interpreted as V-log) to DWG, graded, converted from DWG to Rec.202 ST2084 100 nit, converted (from Rec.2020 Intermediate) to Rec.2020 ST2084 1000 nits. (The last conversion is NOT a noop, despite what it might look like)

I assume the difference is clear. Convert as few times as possible.

I'm also confused about the choice of Rec.2020 Intermediate and DWG as intermediate color spaces.

In any event, setting Rec.2020 ST2084 1000 nits does give you an HDR video. Youtube even recognizes it without any processing (with files from DR 20).

I personally like HLG a lot more, as it uses the entire waveform space, but if your intended recipient wants Rec.2020 ST2084 1000 nits, then that they shall have.
Davinci Resolve Studio 20 build 49, Windows 11, Ultra 7 265k, Nvidia 5070 TI, 576.80 Studio
Offline

Jim Simon

  • Posts: 36112
  • Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2016 1:47 am

Re: HDR on Davinci Resolve Studio

PostThu May 15, 2025 3:05 pm

ugo1973 wrote:The workflow idea is to trasform panasonic v-log video files into hdr output
Here's how I do it.

Though I make NO claims this is the correct way, or that it will work on YouTube. I only claim it will trigger HDR mode on your living room TV.

(And if you're any good at Color, it'll look pretty damn nice! :) )

For editing: (Be sure to properly set the Input Color Space for your clips in the bin.)
HDR Edit.png
HDR Edit.png (72.34 KiB) Viewed 546 times


Before Delivery, switch this:
HDR Export.png
HDR Export.png (76.14 KiB) Viewed 546 times


Encoding settings: (Change only Key Frames if necessary to 1/2 your timeline FPS.)
HDR Deliver.png
HDR Deliver.png (120.44 KiB) Viewed 546 times
My Biases:

You NEED training.
You NEED a desktop.
You NEED a calibrated (non-computer) display.

Return to DaVinci Resolve

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Claire Watson, Google [Bot], panos_mts, Peter Cave and 220 guests