The next build will add a first settings panel, so a few comments on some of those, specifically HDR tonemapping settings.
There are two tonemapping algorithms you can currently choose between, BT.2390 and Hable.
Both of these work much better with proper peak information, so either your file provides good metadata, or you use the Peak Detection option (although disabling that will offer good performance benefits on low-end systems).
And you can configure the target peak in nits to achieve a more appropriate tonemapping, although reducing the target from the default will amplify any short-comings in the tonemapping, so its not necessarily recommended. But ultimately this option should be set to taste, not some theoretical value.
Additionally, parameters for Desaturation are available. I won't go into the deep math about how they work, but here are two sets you can try:
- Default: 0.9 Strength, 0.2 Exponent.
- Alternative: 0.75 Strength, 1.5 Exponent
Of course you are free to try other numbers as well.
Depending on the content, a mixture of different desaturation settings and the algorithm choice can definitely help with tonemapping results that are too bright.
Other then tonemapping, scaling algorithms are selectable so far. More settings to come.
On a more general note on the settings, the dialog has an "Apply" button which should apply the settings to the active video, so you can pause it, change settings, and hit Apply to see the changes. This works as long as the video is being shown in the active zone.