MakeHDR vs HandBrake for HDR video
HandBrake and FFmpeg are great transcoders, and FFmpeg can even do inverse tone mapping if you know the filters and settings. MakeHDR does the SDR-to-HDR conversion for you: it applies a true HDR gain curve and exports genuine BT.2020 HDR (10-bit in the MakeHDR app) — drop a file, no flags.
See real HDR video
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This display isn't HDR — content shows at standard (SDR) brightness
| MakeHDR | HandBrake / FFmpeg | |
|---|---|---|
| Adds real HDR brightness | Yes (gain curve) | HandBrake tags; FFmpeg needs manual filters |
| Setup | Drop a file | Command line / presets |
| Real HDR output | PQ or HLG | Manual config |
| Hardware encode (Mac) | Built in | Manual config |
| Price | $39.99 once | Free |
HandBrake and FFmpeg are great transcoders. When the goal is turning an SDR clip into true HDR — not just tagging it — MakeHDR does the real conversion with one tested curve, no command line.