> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.beeble.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# SDR to HDR

> Reconstruct 8-bit SDR footage into 16-bit HDR EXRs with SwitchHDR

<iframe width="100%" style={{ aspectRatio: "16/9" }} src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3vRjthaASCk" title="SDR to HDR" frameBorder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowFullScreen />

<Note>
  SDR to HDR is available exclusively on **Beeble (Cloud app)**. It is not
  available in Beeble Studio.
</Note>

**SDR to HDR** is a professional reconstruction tool for filmmakers, colorists, and VFX artists, powered by our [**SwitchHDR**](https://beeble.ai/research/switchhdr) model. It turns standard 8-bit SDR footage into true 16-bit HDR masters built for production pipelines.

Unlike tone mapping, SwitchHDR rebuilds the detail SDR threw away. It recovers information behind blown windows and crushed blacks, while keeping well-exposed areas faithful to the source.

**Key features:**

* **True 16-bit EXR output** with a full ACES workflow (ACES2065-1, **AP0**)
* **Expanded depth and range** for smoother grading with less banding
* **Precise control** via highlight and shadow masks, with optional text prompts
* **Powered by SwitchHDR**, our foundational model trained specifically for accurate SDR-to-HDR reconstruction

***

## Quick start

<Steps>
  <Step title="Upload your source">
    Upload an image or a video (**1-240 frames**). For longer clips, trim before uploading.

    <video autoPlay loop muted playsInline style={{ width: "100%", borderRadius: "8px" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/beebleai/on8GTWtmaLx8XTK_/images/sdr-to-hdr-upload.mp4?fit=max&auto=format&n=on8GTWtmaLx8XTK_&q=85&s=7513decdc7fb39ba8fad62a122406c75" data-path="images/sdr-to-hdr-upload.mp4" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the masks">
    Use **Highlight** and **Shadow** thresholds to define which regions the model reconstructs. The overlay and histogram show exactly which pixels are affected.

    <video autoPlay loop muted playsInline style={{ maxWidth: "360px", width: "100%", borderRadius: "8px" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/beebleai/on8GTWtmaLx8XTK_/images/sdr-to-hdr-mask.mp4?fit=max&auto=format&n=on8GTWtmaLx8XTK_&q=85&s=9f94452783f29139a5e573c610e628c4" data-path="images/sdr-to-hdr-mask.mp4" />

    <Tip>
      **Video:** Use **Change Frame** to verify the mask on a different frame.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set options and generate">
    Optionally describe the recovered highlights and shadows (or click
    **Suggest**), pick **1080p** or **720p**, and generate. Set a fixed **Seed**
    under **Advanced** for reproducible results.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Preview and download">
    Check the result with the **EV slider**, then download the outputs: the **EXR** sequence and the **HLG** `.mov`.

    <video autoPlay loop muted playsInline style={{ width: "100%", borderRadius: "8px" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/beebleai/ALuzVqe6t6uEeBPl/images/sdr-to-hdr-preview.mp4?fit=max&auto=format&n=ALuzVqe6t6uEeBPl&q=85&s=366d716aafe34005839c2e85ccd0b49f" data-path="images/sdr-to-hdr-preview.mp4" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Specs

| Item             | Details                                                         |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Resolution**   | 1080p or 720p (short edge is scaled to the selected resolution) |
| **Aspect Ratio** | Always preserved                                                |
| **Frame Rate**   | Always preserved                                                |

***

## Export

<div className="sdr2hdr-export-table">
  | File                                     | What it is                                                                                                                    |
  | ---------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
  | `{name}_ACES2065-1.exr` / `.zip`         | Finishing master EXR in **ACES2065-1 (AP0)**, **16-bit half-float**. Video jobs download as a numbered EXR sequence in a ZIP. |
  | `{name}_HLG.mov`                         | For video jobs, a Rec.2020 / **HLG** QuickTime for playback and review.                                                       |
  | `{name}_mask_highlight` / `_mask_shadow` | Reconstruction mattes (PNG for images, MP4 for video) for comp and selective grading.                                         |
</div>

***

## Load in DaVinci Resolve & Nuke

Unzip `{name}_ACES2065-1.zip` and import the EXRs, then follow the setup below so they are read as ACES, not as Rec.709 / sRGB.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="DaVinci Resolve">
    ### 1. Frame rate (video jobs)

    * Before importing, set **Project Settings → Master Settings → Timeline frame rate** to your source clip's rate.
    * Already imported? Right-click the sequence → **Clip Attributes → Video Frame rate**.

    ### 2. Color space

    Pick **one**. Combining both can cause a double transform.

    **Option A: Project-wide ACES**

    1. **Project Settings → Color Management**: Color science **ACEScct**, ACES version **1.3**
    2. Set the **Output / Display Transform** for your monitor (e.g. Rec.709)

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/beebleai/ALuzVqe6t6uEeBPl/images/sdr2hdr-resolve-color-management-aces.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=ALuzVqe6t6uEeBPl&q=85&s=19dc21858226bb37ba279d4cdaeb021f" alt="Project Settings → Color Management ACES setup in DaVinci Resolve" width="560" data-path="images/sdr2hdr-resolve-color-management-aces.webp" />

    **Option B: Per-shot Color Space Transform node**

    We recommend using the **default project setting** (DaVinci YRGB, Rec.709 Gamma 2.4).

    1. **Color page → add a node → Effects → Color Space Transform**
    2. Input: **ACES (AP0)** / **Linear** → Output: your timeline space (e.g. **Rec.709 / Gamma 2.4**)

           <img src="https://mintcdn.com/beebleai/ALuzVqe6t6uEeBPl/images/sdr2hdr-resolve-color-space-transform.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=ALuzVqe6t6uEeBPl&q=85&s=1c18cd2c3ecb81788a1576ec55e83378" alt="Color Space Transform node in DaVinci Resolve" width="2000" height="1385" data-path="images/sdr2hdr-resolve-color-space-transform.webp" />
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Nuke (OCIO / ACES)">
    ### 1. Enable ACES OCIO

    Set your Nuke OCIO config to ACES (commonly `aces_1.2` or `aces_1.3` depending on your pipeline).

    ### 2. Read node

    For `{name}_ACES2065-1.exr`, set **colorspace** to **ACES - ACES2065-1** (or the equivalent label in your config).

    ### 3. Viewer

    Set the viewer / monitor transform to your target display (e.g. **Rec.709**).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>