HDR Limit
BETA - This feature is available in beta releases (1.11.x). Install the beta version from the downloads page to access it.
HDR Limit QC provides comprehensive High Dynamic Range content validation, ensuring your HDR material meets delivery specifications for various HDR formats and platforms.
Overview
The HDR Limit tool monitors:
Peak brightness levels (nits)
Average brightness (MaxFALL compliance)
Color volume boundaries
PQ/HLG encoding compliance
This is essential for:
HDR10 and HDR10+ mastering
Dolby Vision deliverables
HLG broadcast content
Streaming platform requirements
Enabling the Tool
Open the QC panel (View > QC Panel or use the toolbar button)
Enable HDR Limit checkbox
Select your target HDR format
Configure threshold settings
How It Works
HDR Limit performs per-frame analysis:
Decodes PQ or HLG signal to linear light values
Calculates peak luminance per frame
Tracks running average for MaxFALL
Compares against format-specific limits
Logs violations to QC Timeline
Settings
HDR Format
Target HDR specification
HDR10
Max Peak (nits)
Maximum peak brightness allowed
1000
Max Average (nits)
Maximum frame average (MaxFALL)
400
Error Threshold
Pixel percentage to trigger error
0.1%
HDR Format Presets
HDR10 (1000 nits)
1000
400
Standard HDR10
HDR10 (4000 nits)
4000
1000
Premium HDR10
Dolby Vision
4000
1000
Profile dependent
HLG
1000
400
Broadcast HDR
Custom
User-defined
User-defined
Manual settings
Reading the Results
In the QC Panel
Real-time display shows:
Current Peak: Maximum nits in current frame
Max Peak: Highest peak seen in session
Current Average: Frame average luminance
MaxFALL: Running content average
Status: Pass/Warning/Error indicator
In the Timeline
HDR limit violations appear as:
Yellow markers: Approaching limits (warning)
Red markers: Exceeding limits (error)
Hover for details including peak nits value
In Exports
QC reports include:
Timecode of each violation
Peak brightness value
Whether MaxCLL or MaxFALL was exceeded
Frame-by-frame statistics
Use Cases
HDR10 Mastering
Validate content for HDR10 delivery:
Select HDR10 (1000 nits) preset
Enable MaxFALL tracking
Run full content playback
Review any flagged frames
Streaming Platform QC
Different platforms have different requirements:
Netflix
1000-4000 nits
Content dependent
Amazon
1000-4000 nits
HDR10/DV supported
Apple TV+
Up to 4000 nits
Dolby Vision preferred
YouTube
1000 nits
HDR10 support
Broadcast HDR (HLG)
For HLG broadcast delivery:
Select HLG preset
Set Max Peak to broadcaster requirement
Enable average brightness monitoring
Verify against delivery specs
Understanding HDR Metrics
MaxCLL (Maximum Content Light Level)
The brightest pixel in the entire content. HDR Limit tracks this continuously and reports the highest value encountered.
MaxFALL (Maximum Frame Average Light Level)
The highest frame average luminance in the content. This affects tone mapping on consumer displays.
Why Both Matter
Displays use MaxCLL/MaxFALL metadata for tone mapping
Incorrect values cause poor playback on consumer TVs
Some platforms require specific limits for acceptance
Standards Reference
HDR10
1000-10000
400-4000
Rec.2020/PQ
HDR10+
Dynamic
Dynamic
Rec.2020/PQ
Dolby Vision
4000+
1000+
Rec.2020/PQ
HLG
~1000
~400
Rec.2020/HLG
Tips
Always verify delivery specs with your distributor
Use HDR Statistics scope for detailed MaxCLL/MaxFALL measurement
Test problematic frames in the False Color scope with HDR preset
Consider headroom - staying below 90% of limits is good practice
Related QC Tools
Luminosity Limit - General brightness limit checking
HDR Statistics - MaxCLL/MaxFALL measurement
Gamut Check - Color gamut compliance
Data Analyser - Detailed signal analysis
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