How do I convert a project from Rec. 709 to Rec. 2020 in Premiere Pro?

March 11, 2026 · caitlin

Converting a project from Rec. 709 to Rec. 2020 in Premiere Pro involves adjusting your project’s color space settings and potentially re-grading your footage. This process ensures your video content accurately displays its intended colors on wider gamut displays.

Understanding Color Spaces: Rec. 709 vs. Rec. 2020

Before diving into Premiere Pro, it’s crucial to grasp the fundamental differences between these two color spaces. Rec. 709 is the standard for HDTV, offering a relatively limited range of colors. Rec. 2020, on the other hand, is designed for Ultra HD (UHD) and HDR content, encompassing a much broader spectrum of colors, including vibrant blues and greens.

Why Convert to Rec. 2020?

The primary reason for converting is to future-proof your content and ensure it looks its best on modern displays. As more viewers adopt HDR-capable TVs and monitors, content mastered in Rec. 2020 will offer a more immersive and visually stunning experience. This is especially important for filmmakers and content creators aiming for the highest visual fidelity.

Step-by-Step Guide: Converting Your Project in Premiere Pro

Converting your project in Adobe Premiere Pro requires careful attention to sequence settings and color management. This isn’t a simple one-click solution, but rather a process that involves understanding your footage and desired output.

1. Setting Up Your Sequence for Rec. 2020

The first and most critical step is to ensure your Premiere Pro sequence is configured correctly.

Create a New Sequence: Go to File > New > Sequence.
Select a Preset: Under the Digital SLR or ARRI tabs, you might find presets that align with wider color gamuts. However, it’s often best to customize.
Custom Settings: Navigate to the Tracks tab. Under Video, ensure your Color Space is set to Rec. 2020. For HDR workflows, you’ll also want to set your Working Color Space to Rec. 2020 and your Display Color Space to Rec. 2020 (PQ) or Rec. 2020 (HLG), depending on your target delivery.
Match Footage: Ensure your Editing Mode and Frame Size match your source footage.

2. Importing and Interpreting Footage

How you import your footage can significantly impact the conversion.

Log Footage: If your footage was shot in a log format (like S-Log, C-Log, V-Log), it’s often already capable of a wider color gamut. You’ll need to apply the appropriate LUT (Look-Up Table) to convert it to Rec. 709 or directly to Rec. 2020.
Interpret Footage: Right-click on your footage in the Project panel and select Modify > Interpret Footage. Here, you can set the Color Space Override. If your footage was shot in a wide gamut and you want to treat it as such from the start, you can set this to Rec. 2020.

3. Re-grading Your Footage for Rec. 2020

Simply changing the sequence settings won’t magically make your Rec. 709 footage look like Rec. 2020. You’ll likely need to adjust your color grading.

Lumetri Color Panel: This is your primary tool. Use the Basic Correction and Creative tabs to make initial adjustments.
Curves: The Curves tab is essential for fine-tuning your colors and contrast within the wider Rec. 2020 gamut. You can push colors further than you could in Rec. 709.
HSL Secondary: For targeted color adjustments, the HSL Secondary section allows you to isolate specific color ranges.
HDR Adjustments: If you’re working with HDR footage and targeting Rec. 2020 PQ or HLG, you’ll utilize specific HDR controls within Lumetri. This includes adjusting Max Luminance and Min Luminance.

4. Exporting Your Rec. 2020 Project

The final step is exporting your project with the correct settings.

Go to File > Export > Media.
Format: Choose a format that supports wide color gamuts, such as H.265 (HEVC) or ProRes.
Preset: Select a preset that aligns with your target delivery. You may need to customize.
Video Tab: Under the Video tab, ensure Color Space is set to Rec. 2020. For HDR, select the appropriate HDR Standard (e.g., HDR10, HLG).
Bitrate: Use a sufficient bitrate to preserve the quality of your wider color gamut.

Practical Considerations and Tips

Converting to Rec. 2020 isn’t always straightforward. Here are some practical tips to help you navigate the process.

Matching Your Display

Your monitor’s capabilities are crucial. If your monitor cannot display the full Rec. 2020 color space, you won’t be able to accurately judge your grading. Consider using an external HDR reference monitor for critical color work.

Source Footage Matters

The quality and color space of your original footage are paramount. If you shot in Rec. 709, converting to Rec. 2020 won’t add colors that weren’t captured. However, it allows you to push the existing colors further and prepare for future display technologies. Footage shot in wider gamuts like Log formats will benefit most from a Rec. 2020 conversion.

Understanding LUTs

Look-Up Tables are essential for color transformations. When converting from a log profile to Rec. 2020, you’ll use specific LUTs. Many camera manufacturers provide official LUTs, or you can find third-party options. Always test LUTs to ensure they achieve the desired look.

When to Convert

New Projects: If you’re starting a new project and aiming for the highest visual quality, set up your sequence in Rec. 2020 from the outset.
Existing Projects: Converting an existing Rec. 709 project requires careful re-evaluation. You might need to re-grade significant portions to take advantage of the wider gamut.