How to Change Project from HDR to SDR?

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Level 1

8 points

How to Change Project from HDR to SDR?

I want to edit a video shot in HLG in rec.709 for SDR delivery. I create a library, event and project and import my clips. I select the project and hit Control, Command, J and choose Standard Gamut in the pop-up window. In the Inspector, the project shows up as rec.709. So far, so good. But... the clips in the browser and timeline still show up as rec.2020. And because the clips in the timeline are too bright, I go into effects and apply HDR Tools. But the clips are still far too bright. In previous versions of FCP, the app applied tone mapping so I could view clips normally (when converted to rec.709 the HLG clips would take on a milky greyish appearance, after which I applied a LUT). In v.10.4, the clips are blown out, their appearance doesn't change, and I get a warning saying I need to connect an HDR monitor. Isn't there a way to view and edit the clips in the timeline as rec.709 without the correctly exposed clips showing up as two stops overexposed? Why are they still showing up as 2020? Thanks!

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017), macOS High Sierra (10.13.2)

Posted on Dec 25, 2017 6:44 AM

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Answer 1

jonpais Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 25, 2017 8:33 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

One screen shot shows how the clip in the browser appears in the viewer with 'Show HDR as raw values' selected in preferences. I chose SDR for the project. The other screen shot shows how the clip appears in the timeline. Even though I've selected rec.709 for the project settings, the clip is still rec.2020.

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Answer 2

jonpais Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 25, 2017 9:02 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

No, I don't. In the previous version of FCP X, I was able to select rec.709 in the Inspector, everything worked fine. 🙂 The clips would take on a grayish greenish appearance. I'd apply a LUT from Paul Leeming and the colors would go back to normal. There were never these excessively dark or light images. The image you're looking at has been properly exposed. Feeling bad I updated...

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Answer 3

jonpais Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 25, 2017 9:26 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

It's common practice to make both an HDR pass and an SDR pass, but I don't see how that's possible if I change the project to rec709 yet the clips are still rec2020. I shouldn't need an HDR monitor to grade SDR. Anyhow, thanks for your help, Tom. You know it's funny, Apple offers support for FCPX in China, but not Vietnam, where I live.

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Answer 4

jonpais Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 25, 2017 9:52 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

An entire day wasted, but I finally found it! First, hit the tab marked Basics at the bottom of Inspector. Then, hit 'Settings'. Then in color space, change it from HLG to rec.709. shazaam!

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Answer 5

jonpais Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 25, 2017 3:59 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

And here's what the scopes look like.

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Answer 6

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,095 points

Dec 25, 2017 4:08 PM in response to jonpais

That's non-HDR 2020 with HDR to 709 applied.

https://ssl.apple.com/ca/fr/final-cut-pro/docs/Working_with_Wide_Color_Gamut_and _High_Dynamic_Range_in_Final_Cut_Pro_X.p…

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Answer 7

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,095 points

Dec 25, 2017 6:52 AM in response to jonpais

Just curious how it looks if you check on the HDR conversion preference, though you shouldn't have to. Can you post a screenshot with waveform set to IRE after the HLG to 709 conversion.

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Answer 8

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,095 points

Dec 25, 2017 8:51 AM in response to jonpais

Interesting. They both look wrong. The first doesn't show the white T-short correctly, the scope looks wrong, and the second is over the top. Do you have a camera LUT for this?

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