Uploading HDR Videos for Instagram Stories

If your Instagram Stories appear like a blank screen or do not play when published, it's likely your video is in HDR format. While Instagram supports a wide range of video formats and quality settings, High Dynamic Range (HDR) videos are not publishing correctly due to an Instagram bug.

When attempting to upload HDR videos to Instagram, the platform's compression algorithms will try to convert them to SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) but fails to do so. Many other social networks display HDR correctly, so Gain maintains HDR for all your videos. We recommend you convert your videos from HDR to SDR or configure your iOS device to capture SDR videos.

What's an HDR video?

HDR, or High Dynamic Range, refers to a video technology that enhances the visual experience by expanding the range of colors, contrast, and brightness. HDR videos provide a more vibrant and lifelike representation of the real world by preserving details in both bright and dark areas of the footage. This technology has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its ability to create stunning visual content.

Configuring Your iOS Device to Capture SDR Videos

If you wish to share videos on Instagram without encountering compatibility issues, you can configure your iOS device (iPhone or iPad) to capture SDR videos instead of HDR. Follow these steps:

Open the "Settings" app on your iOS device.
Scroll down and tap on "Camera."
Under the "Record Video" section, select "Formats."
Choose "High Efficiency" if it's not already selected.
Toggle off the "HDR Video" option.
Exit the Settings app.

By disabling the HDR video option, your iOS device will capture videos in the SDR format, ensuring compatibility when you upload them to Instagram.

Convert HDR to SDR Videos

Here's a list of HDR converters that can help you retain the 4K quality of the original video: