VSDC adds full HDR support and pro editing tools

VSDC Free Video Editor said its version 10.1 now supports full HDR workflows, along with pro-grade color tools, tracking, masking and export to formats including 4K, 8K and H.266. The update is aimed at creators who want advanced editing features without watermarks on the free version.

Why it matters: - VSDC is targeting creators who want advanced video tools without paying for a subscription or dealing with export watermarks. - Full HDR support matters for footage shot on iPhones, GoPros, DJI cameras and other devices that capture high-contrast video. - The software is designed to handle both beginner edits and professional post-production on modest hardware.

What happened: - VSDC Free Video Editor introduced comprehensive HDR support starting with version 10.1. - The editor also offers advanced color grading, object tracking, masking, chroma key, multi-layer color correction and export to multiple formats. - The company highlighted support for 4K and 8K workflows, plus no watermarks on the free version.

The details: - VSDC works natively with the wide-gamut BT.2020 color space used in HDR10, HDR10+, Apple Dolby Vision, iPhone HEIC and ProRes RAW, GoPro 10-bit HEVC, Sony cameras and DJI HLG footage. - Users can choose among three HDR modes in the properties window: Auto detect, Force SDR and Force HDR. - Auto detect compresses HDR for a regular SDR monitor. - Force SDR uses only the standard SDR data inside the file for rough cuts. - Force HDR preserves the full dynamic range and color accuracy, though non-HDR displays may require manual adjustment. - The Color Profile option adds two choices after Auto-detect or Force HDR: Standard and Enhanced. - The Standard profile works across different displays but can run slower and may create slight color deviations. - The Enhanced profile uses the GPU to convert HDR to SDR and benefits from hardware acceleration added in version 11.2. - Users can adjust Nominal Peak Brightness to match a monitor and apply tone mapping for more precise calibration. - VSDC’s professional color grading tools remain available for frame-level adjustments. - The editing toolkit includes curves, wheels, LUTs, background removal, keyframes, layer blending, transitions and stabilization. - The software also supports screen or webcam recording and DVD burning. - Users can import GPS data from GoPro, Garmin, Insta360, Suunto or smartphone tracking apps. - GPS data can be used to overlay speedometers, altitude graphs, G-force meters, compasses and other racing-style widgets. - Version 11.2 adds fast synchronization of separately recorded video and telemetry. - All widgets are available in the VSDC Store. - The editor supports proxy editing for 4K and 8K projects. - Export is available to any format, including H.266, with improved hardware acceleration in version 11.2. - The VSDC website includes how-to articles, and the software can be downloaded from the official site. - VSDC also offers support at support@videosoftdev.com and maintains social media communities. - More information is available in the how-to articles section. - The editor can be downloaded from the official VSDC download page.

Between the lines: - The HDR workflow and GPU-assisted conversion suggest VSDC is trying to close the gap between free editors and paid professional tools. - Support for telemetry overlays and proxy editing points to users working with action-cam, racing and long-form high-resolution footage. - The version 11.2 references indicate the company is layering new performance features on top of the core HDR release.

What's next: - VSDC is likely to keep expanding hardware acceleration and workflow tools for higher-resolution projects. - Users can expect continued updates tied to the software’s HDR, color and export pipeline. - The company is directing users to its website, support channels and community pages for tutorials and product updates.