Importing an iOS HDR iMovie project into iMovie in macOS Sequoia (15.1.1)?

See below for one option. Is there a way to export HDR from iMovie (MacOS Sequoia) without using FCP?

- Pie Lover

Edit HDR video with iMovie on Mac

In iMovie version 10.2 or later on Mac, you can import HDR video into an iMovie project. For HDR video imported in an earlier version of iMovie, you'll need to reimport it so it displays properly. You can share from iMovie in SDR.

To share an iMovie for macOS project in HDR, you need to export your iMovie project to Final Cut Pro, then share using Final Cut Pro. When you send a movie to Final Cut Pro, the project file and the media used in the project are copied to your Final Cut Pro library. Make sure to install Final Cut Pro or the Final Cut Pro trial on your Mac. Then, in iMovie, choose File > Send Movie to Final Cut Pro. To share your project from Final Cut Pro, follow the steps in the Final Cut Pro section below.

Learn more about sending iMovie projects to Final Cut Pro

Here's a workaround:

1. Upscale the HDR video to (2k or 4k)

2. Transfer from macOS to iOS (using AirDrop for example)

3. Edit using iMovie in iOS

4. Share the edited video using an HD or 4K option (make sure the HDR slider is enabled)

5. Transfer back to macOS

6. Downscale to original resolution if desired

Note that the HDR using the HLG transfer curve (rather than PQ).

Hope this helps.

- Pie Lover

P.S. Use the chart below to interpret the Code Points:

HDR video in iMovie can be exported as HDR on my iPhone XS Max but only up to 720p with iOS 18.1.1. Interestingly, the HDR format has been converted from HDR PQ to Dolby Vision HLG. Also, despite the lower resolution, the bitrate has been increased from 1.78 Mbit/s to 4.41 Mbit/s. See below for details.

- Pie Lover