SDR

SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) is the conventional video range that most screens, streaming clips, and broadcasts still use, typically built on Rec. 709 with a peak white around 100 nits. It has served as the baseline for decades, so any project meant for general audiences without an HDR pipeline is graded in SDR. For an editor or colorist, working in SDR means keeping highlights from clipping at the top of a compressed range and protecting shadow detail at the bottom, since there is far less headroom than HDR. Even when a show masters in HDR, an SDR trim pass is almost always required because the majority of viewers watch on SDR phones and laptops. SDR remains the dependable, universally compatible default.