HDR to SDR tonemapping profile/setup (gpu-next)

[geextahslex]

Hi, I worked long on that HDR profile. Actually it was the reason how I got to mpv in the first place (since v.36) and finally I am satisfied. I made many comparisons in dark, bright, midtone scenes. Also over multiple productions, not only one sample. In very saturated once also. I wouldn't call it perfect as there are always compromises with tonemapping, but it is better than the default mpv settings. You can set it up and enjoy your content.
The strong side of this project is the customizability, you can go to every shader and tune it how you want, turn it on or off and see what suits you best. It's not limited like the most build in once, where you have one setting for nits and the other one for gammut-mapping.
It is a combination of mpv, hdr-toys and a few custom-made shaders

honorable mentions: @natural-harmonia-gropius from hdr-toys, @butterw from bShaders, folk from discord, reddit and even chatgpt.

download:
mpv HDR build 2025.zip (new latest August 2025)

portable_config.zip (old) (2024)

update (August 2025):

1. the new script will automatically boost gamma in dark scenes and reduce brightness in very bright scenes
2. I added af=lavfi=[dynaudnorm=p=0.65:m=2:f=100:g=15:s=30] to normalize audio (control peaks, better dialogue/speech), you can disable it for sound systems etc. m=2 (max gain) boosts quiet parts and p=0.65 limits max peak to 65%

[HDR]
profile-cond=get("video-params/primaries") == "bt.2020" and get("video-params/gamma") == "pq"
profile-restore=copy
hwdec=no
vo=gpu-next
profile=fast
dither-depth=8
dither=fruit
deband=no

af=lavfi=[dynaudnorm=p=0.65:m=2:f=100:g=15:s=30]

target-colorspace-hint=no
gamut-mapping-mode=clip
vf=format:dolbyvision=no:hdr10plus=no
tone-mapping=st2094-10
target-peak=100
hdr-compute-peak=yes
allow-delayed-peak-detect=yes
hdr-peak-percentile=99.9
target-prim=bt.2020
target-trc=pq
saturation=-20

glsl-shader=~~/shaders/pq_inv.glsl
glsl-shader-opts=L_hdr=1000,L_sdr=100
glsl-shader=~~/shaders/black_point_compensation.glsl
glsl-shader=~~/shaders/jedypod.glsl
glsl-shader=~~/shaders/bt1886.glsl

glsl-shader=~~/shaders/desatHDR.glsl
glsl-shader=~~/shaders/vibrance.glsl

difference between this and default mpv:
default mpv will desaturate dark scenes almost to black and white while my profile keeps the saturation normal
I opened issues for that here haasn/libplacebo#304 and here #15340

this profile:

default mpv:

[Vantskruv]

Thank you! I am using settings and I am very satisfied.
I am running a HTPC with Kodi as browser and MPV as player (overriding the Kodi player).
The HTPC is connected to a RX-A8A reciever and a Sony HW65ES projector.

[kasper93]

here is an updated version #15340 (comment) just add to that hdr-peak-percentile=99.8 is much better know

You should consider profile=high-quality

[geextahslex]

You should consider profile=high-quality

In the future I will, but not on my current potato PC. It's a wonder that HDR tonemapping even functions ^^'

[Vantskruv]

I wonder if this would give a better image-quality, if running on a HDR projector, hence ignoring the projector "HDR capabilites", as projectors is known to not work well with HDR and Dolby Vision?

I am on the razors edge of buying a 4k projector (which often do have HDR support). I am not sure if it is worth it, I am currently satisfied with the image quality from my 10 year old Sony HW65ES (I never seen a 4k projector in action).

[geextahslex]

I have no experiences with projectors, but when you consider that many HDR TV's have issues with displaying proper HDR I would think twice about that. HDR tonemapping makes a good job, when the picture is bright enough for you I would wait with any purchase. Only my opinion.

[danbezerra]

I have a JVC projector and use MPV to tone mapping HDR to SDR gamma, but configured to use my max nits output (~100 nits, to add some extra highlights) and BT.2020. So better than regular SDR.

There are some newer projectors with good HDR/DV tone mapping built in as well.

[Canowyrms]

Nice, looking forward to trying this.

Have you given any thought to setting up a repo with releases? Might be a little easier for users to receive updates 🤔

Regardless, thanks for this!

[geextahslex]

Honestly I don't know how all fo this repo/github stuff works, so it's hard to say. I'm just a casual user.
No problem, I hope it works nice for you :)

[glpc-blaze]

can these shaders and scripts work on android mpv i'm amazed by this work and works finely on windows

[geextahslex]

I don't know, I never tried it on android