Final Cut Pro terms

HDR

High Dynamic Range video, for more detail in light and dark.

What is HDR in Final Cut Pro?

HDR, or High Dynamic Range, in Final Cut Pro refers to a feature that allows users to work with a broader range of luminance and color. This feature is designed to enhance the quality of videos by making them more vibrant and realistic. HDR in Final Cut Pro supports multiple industry-standard HDR formats, including HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma), HDR10, and Dolby Vision.

Final Cut Pro's HDR tools allow users to grade and deliver HDR content with professional controls, scopes, and pixel accuracy. Users can also convert HDR to Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) for broadcast. This feature is particularly beneficial for filmmakers and video editors who want to create high-quality content with enhanced color and brightness levels.

How to enable HDR in Final Cut Pro?

To enable HDR in Final Cut Pro, you first need to create a new project. When creating a new project, you will be given the option to select the video format. Here, you can choose an HDR format such as HDR10 or HLG. If you have already created a project, you can convert it to HDR by selecting the project in the browser, clicking on the "Modify" button in the inspector window, and then choosing an HDR format.

After setting up your project for HDR, you can import your HDR footage. Final Cut Pro automatically recognizes HDR media and will handle it correctly. You can then edit and color grade your footage as you normally would. When you're ready to export, make sure to select an HDR format in the export settings. This will ensure that your final video retains the wide color gamut and high dynamic range of the original footage.

How to edit HDR footage in Final Cut Pro?

Editing HDR footage in Final Cut Pro involves a few steps. First, you need to import your HDR footage into the software. To do this, go to the "File" menu, select "Import" and then "Media". In the window that opens, navigate to the location of your HDR footage, select it and click "Import Selected".

Once your footage is imported, you can start editing. To do this, you need to create a new project and set it to HDR. Go to the "File" menu, select "New" and then "Project". In the window that opens, set the "Video" setting to "Wide Gamut HDR". Now, you can drag your HDR footage into the timeline and start editing. Use the color correction tools to adjust the look of your footage. When you're done, you can export your project by going to the "File" menu, selecting "Share" and then "Master File". In the settings, make sure to set the "Video Codec" to "Apple ProRes 422".

How does HDR work in Final Cut Pro?

HDR, or High Dynamic Range, in Final Cut Pro works by enhancing the color and brightness range of your video to make it more vibrant and realistic. It allows for a greater range between the lightest and darkest parts of an image, so you can retain detail in both. This is particularly useful in scenes with high contrast, such as bright outdoor scenes or indoor scenes with harsh lighting.

When you import HDR footage into Final Cut Pro, the software automatically recognizes the format. You can then use the HDR tools in the software to adjust and fine-tune the color grading and brightness levels. Final Cut Pro supports both HDR10 and Dolby Vision, two of the most popular HDR formats. It also allows you to output and share your HDR video to various platforms, maintaining the high-quality imagery.

If you use Final Cut Pro...

You should try Tella.tv - a screen recorder that doesn't compromise on speed or creativity.

Tella simplifies video creation: record, customize, and share in one place; combine separate clips and quickly remove mistakes; apply beautiful backgrounds, layouts, and effects with just a few clicks; share the video link or export in 4K.

With Tella, create product demos, tutorial videos, and online courses that look amazing in minutes, not hours!

Tella screen recorder

< Back to Final Cut Pro glossary

Try Tella today!

Screen recording for creators — simple and powerful.

7-day free trial — no credit card required