Sparklux: HDR Video Player

SDR to HDR. Upscaled to 4K.

Only for Mac

Free · In‑App Purchases

Mac

SDR to HDR, in real time. 1080p to 4K. HDR sources pass through untouched. Sparklux is a macOS video player that converts SDR video to HDR in real time. It brings back the brightness tonality that compression took away, and raises the resolution. Nothing is converted to a new file — the processing happens as the picture is drawn. ■ What it does • Real-time SDR to HDR conversion (five presets: Subtle, Cinema, Natural, Vivid, Real) • A/B comparison — put two presets side by side • MetalFX upscaling (the sharpening stays within the local range, so edges get no halos) • Super resolution for anime. Redraws the lines of low-resolution anime, such as DVD-quality sources, crisply. The quality level is chosen automatically to match your Mac's speed (a trained model is used only when you select it) • Optional "tighten edges" and "two-pass upscaling" for low-resolution sources (both off by default — they suit some material and not others, so you can compare them side by side) • Frame interpolation to double the frame rate (sources up to 1280×720, 8-bit; off by default) • HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision Profile 8 pass through completely untouched • 10-bit SDR sources are handled as 10-bit • 5.1 and 7.1 pass through; on stereo output they are folded so dialogue is not lost • Subtitles (embedded and external .srt / .vtt) and chapters • Drag and drop video files onto the window • Direct links, HLS and network shares • Automatic power saving when the machine gets hot or runs on battery ■ Display calibration A two-step measurement (⌘K) makes the brightness correct. The result is remembered per display. The start screen tells you whether the display you are on can show HDR. ■ Please note • An HDR-capable display is required. Turn on "High Dynamic Range" in System Settings › Displays. Even with it on, some displays leave no HDR headroom at full brightness • Streaming-service URLs (YouTube and similar) play only if you have installed yt-dlp yourself. The app neither bundles nor installs it • Protected services such as Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ cannot be played • MKV plays (embedded subtitles, chapters and multiple audio tracks are not yet supported) ■ Pricing One-time purchase. After a seven-day free trial, a single purchase lets you use it forever on every Mac signed in to the same Apple ID. There is no monthly fee.

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New • Added super resolution for anime. It redraws the lines of low-resolution anime, such as DVD-quality sources, crisply. The quality level is chosen automatically to match your Mac's speed (choose “Anime super resolution” in the upscaling menu) • Picture in Picture is now supported. Keep watching in a small window while you work (⌥⌘P) • You can now switch audio tracks in MKV files, and subtitles stored inside the file (SRT and ASS) are shown • Frame interpolation now works with 1080p and 4K videos (it lowers the resolution to what your Mac can keep up with). Smoothness is chosen to match your display's refresh rate • A new look: a deep navy background with amber accents, matching Sparklux Go and Sparklux Library Fixed • Fixed portrait videos shot on iPhone and other devices playing sideways • Videos with non-square pixels (anamorphic) now play at the correct aspect ratio • Fixed “Brighter, as is” washing out the whole picture on some displays • Fixed Loop (⌘L) clipping the very start of each repeat • Pressing Play after a video has finished now starts it again from the beginning • Fixed a hang on launch when Open Recent contained files on a network drive • Opening and seeking videos on a network drive no longer freezes the app, and MKV files on a network drive no longer crash it • Fixed the next file failing to open after a network server stopped responding • The calibration screen now shows instructions for each step • Loop, Mute and Always on Top now show a checkmark in the menu when they are on • Keyboard shortcuts such as ⌘V (Paste) now work in text fields such as Open URL… • Improved Traditional Chinese text. On systems set to an unsupported language, the app now appears in English • Improved stability after waking from sleep and over long sessions. Fixed a crash when switching to a video of a different resolution while “Super resolution + sharper” was in use • Fixed memory handling on macOS 27

Version 1.3

The developer, Fumiaki Monma, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

  • Data Not Collected

    The developer does not collect any data from this app.

    Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

    Accessibility

    The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More

    Information

    Seller
    Fumiaki Monma
    Size
    7.4 MB
    Category
    Photo & Video
    Compatibility
    Requires macOS 14.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
    • Mac
      Requires macOS 14.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
    Languages
    English and 8 more
    • English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese
    Age Rating
    4+
    In-App Purchases
    Yes
    Copyright
    © monneural.dev
  • Developer Website
  • Privacy Policy

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