Exporting HEVC Without Color Shift?

[JessicaR]

I really need some help!

I am hoping to use Shotcut to export some HEVC files from my iphone to my Dell Windows desktop for viewing/backup. The videos are recorded on my iphone 13 in HEVC, and once on my computer I am trying to export them to really any Windows compatible format without completely destroying the coloration of the videos.

I have figured out how to load the videos into the editor and export them to a variety of formats (mp4, avi, etc), but every single one comes out terribly washed out and dull. I will attach a link to a photo showing what the original video looked like, then what it looks like when I try to view it on my computer in any way. The left side is the original, and the right is the ruined/washed out version. D5CD50BE-0F28-48A5-B984-D5994BCD0F5C.jpg - Google Drive

Is there a setting I can apply or something I can do? If anyone can help me, I would be so grateful!

[brian]

@JessicaR

The videos are recorded on my iphone 13 in HEVC, and once on my computer I am trying to export them to really any Windows compatible format without completely destroying the coloration of the videos.

HEVC is Windows compatible. You might need to install the plugin:

HEVC Video Extensions - Official app in the Microsoft Store

Maybe the files are HDR. After you open an original file in Shotcut, can you take a screenshot of the properties panel and share it here for us to see?

[JessicaR]

Yes, thank you so much for responding. The attached image shows the information that displays in Shotcut when I load the original video. I can also click “more information” and the below long list of information is displayed.
The video very well could be HDR- I looked in my settings and HDR is enabled for video recordings. I’ve always thought that would be a good thing since it does help with quality, but does that mean I’m stuck with these videos on my phone and can never view/safely store them on my computer?

Information

ffprobe output

[streams.stream.0]
index=0
codec_name=hevc
codec_long_name=H.265 / HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding)
profile=Main 10
codec_type=video
codec_time_base=1/60
codec_tag_string=hvc1
codec_tag=0x31637668
width=1920
height=1080
coded_width=1920
coded_height=1088

has_b_frames=2
sample_aspect_ratio=N/A
display_aspect_ratio=N/A
pix_fmt=yuv420p10le
level=123

color_range=tv
color_space=bt2020nc
color_transfer=arib-std-b67
color_primaries=bt2020
chroma_location=unspecified
field_order=unknown
timecode=N/A
refs=1
id=N/A

r_frame_rate=60/1
avg_frame_rate=60/1
time_base=1/600
start_pts=0
start_time=0:00:00.000000
duration_ts=480
duration=0:00:00.800000
bit_rate=14.641810 Mbit/s
max_bit_rate=N/A
bits_per_raw_sample=N/A

nb_frames=48
nb_read_frames=N/A
nb_read_packets=N/A
[streams.stream.0.disposition]
default=1
dub=0
original=0
comment=0
lyrics=0
karaoke=0
forced=0
hearing_impaired=0
visual_impaired=0
clean_effects=0
attached_pic=0
timed_thumbnails=0
[streams.stream.0.tags]
rotate=90
creation_time=2023-08-03T11:43:05.000000Z
language=und
handler_name=Core Media Video
encoder=HEVC

(There is more, but I think this is the relevant bit)

[brian]

From your screenshot, I can see that you are using a fairly old version of Shotcut. But the FFProbe output indicates that your file is using HDR. Shotcut does not operate on HDR natively (even the latest version). But newer versions have a conversion feature that can convert the HDR to SDR for editing in Shotcut.

If you want to use Shotcut to edit these files, here are some steps.

1. Get a newer version of Shotcut
2. Open your file
3. Click on the “Convert…” button in the properties panel
4. Choose Advanced
5. Click “Convert to BT.709 Colorspace”
6. Click “OK”
7. Wait for the conversion to complete
8. Edit and export as usual

If your only goal is to convert these files to use AVC instead of HEVC, then Shotcut is probably not a great tool for this since there are many steps.

Have you tried Handbrake?

[JessicaR]

I can’t thank you enough! It looks like Handbrake was just the tool I needed. You are right- I usually use Shotcut to make edits to videos that are a bit more complex than what other open source/free programs like Movie Maker would allow, it was only out of desperation that I turned there for this task because nothing else seemed to work.
Again, I appreciate your help, looks like it was the HDR that was the problem after all!