Preserve HDR when copying video from iPhone 12 pro to Pc or Mac?

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Level 1

8 points

Preserve HDR when copying video from iPhone 12 pro to Pc or Mac?

I don't know where iphone 12 pro keeps the HDR metadata, but doesn't seem to be embedded on the videos because when I copy it to pc (using windows explorer) or mac (using Image Capture) and play it with VLC, it is not as "bright" as when played on the iphone.

I also notice, on iphone photos app, that the thumbnails of HDR videos are darker than the actual videos when they start playing. When I play the copied video on VLC, I see the same low non-hdr brightness as the thumbnail.

Attaching ffmpeg-i output as well as VLC's codec media info screenshot

Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'IMG_5689.MOV':
  Metadata:
    major_brand     : qt
    minor_version   : 0
    compatible_brands: qt
    creation_time   : 2021-01-04T15:01:47.000000Z
    com.apple.quicktime.make: Apple
    com.apple.quicktime.model: iPhone 12 Pro
    com.apple.quicktime.software: 14.3
    com.apple.quicktime.creationdate: 2021-01-01T19:17:18-0500
    com.apple.photos.originating.signature: AZkL9PzNyNVOoXs99l5l7YUzXjKdDuration: 00:01:37.27, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 50810 kb/s
    Stream #0:0(und): Video: h264 (High) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p(tv, bt709), 1920x1080, 47612 kb/s, 59.95 fps, 59.94 tbr, 600 tbn, 1200 tbc (default)
    Metadata:
      creation_time   : 2021-01-04T15:01:47.000000Z
      handler_name    : Core Media Video
      encoder         : H.264Stream #0:1(und): Audio: aac (LC) (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 44100 Hz, stereo, fltp, 165 kb/s (default)
    Metadata:
      creation_time   : 2021-01-04T15:01:47.000000Z
      handler_name    : Core Media AudioStream #0:2(und): Data: none (mebx / 0x7862656D) (default)
    Metadata:
      creation_time   : 2021-01-04T15:01:47.000000Z
      handler_name    : Core Media MetadataStream #0:3(und): Data: none (mebx / 0x7862656D), 9 kb/s (default)
    Metadata:
      creation_time   : 2021-01-04T15:01:47.000000Z
      handler_name    : Core Media MetadataStream #0:4(und): Data: none (mebx / 0x7862656D), 74 kb/s (default)
    Metadata:
      creation_time   : 2021-01-04T15:01:47.000000Z
      handler_name    : Core Media Metadata

Posted on Jan 4, 2021 7:21 AM

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Answer 1

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anothertrad Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 10, 2021 9:26 AM in response to MichelleT18

Thank you. Photos app's file is much smaller and image is brighter with HDR. So it works from Photos.

I noticed that the file from Photos is H265 and Image Capture converts its copy to H264. If I check "Keep originals" on Image Capture before copying, then it copies the exact same file as Photos: H265 and HDR preserved, same hash. So that's the root cause and I am satisfied with either solution: use Photos or use Image Capture making sure to check "Keep originals" before copying.

I won't pursue any solution on Windows but likely windows explorer is also converting the files to H264.

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Answer 2

Jan 6, 2021 11:48 AM in response to anothertrad

Hey there anothertrad,

We understand you're experiencing an issue with preserving the HDR setting on photos and videos when importing to your computers, and we'd like to see if we can assist.

You mentioned importing with Windows Explorer and Image Capture, do you experience the same issue when importing with Photos or the Windows Photos app? Here's how: Transfer photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Also, try enabling iCloud Photos, and see if the HDR content shows on the computer with that enabled.

Cheers!

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Preserve HDR when copying video from iPhone 12 pro to Pc or Mac?

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