[Feature] Support for displaying HDR images in the browser by generating an HDR video file

[leolabs]

I have searched the existing feature requests, both open and closed, to make sure this is not a duplicate request.

• Yes

The feature

Since browsers don't support displaying HDR images natively, I was wondering if it's possible to use ffmpeg on the server to convert HDR images to an HDR video containing just one frame. That way, we'd be able to view images in their true dynamic range.

I got this idea from Photomator which allows you to export HDR images as an mp4 file containing just the static image for use on the web. Here's an example photo as HDR JPEG and HDR MP4:

DSC02892.mp4

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this idea!

Platform

• Server
• Web
• Mobile

[Starbix]

I think waiting for browsers is easier: Safari 26 will support HDR images https://webkit.org/blog/16993/news-from-wwdc25-web-technology-coming-this-fall-in-safari-26-beta/

[leolabs]

That's great news! Looking forward to this 🚀

[Starbix]

AFAIK all major browsers now support HDR images:)) Now we just have to wait for better HDR support in libvips, so we also get HDR previews.

[AngelaDMerkel]

Libvips is very close to full support to HDR images, so I think probably a few more months at most. FWIW, Chrome already renders most images properly in HDR