Recreating the HDR Video Shutter Problem on Huawei P50 Pro

Introduction

Capturing high‑dynamic‑range (HDR) video on a flagship Android phone is usually a delight, but the Huawei P50 Pro has been notorious for a specific visual glitch that many users call the HDR video shutter problem. The issue shows up as a flickering or stuttering brightness pattern across the frame, often during fast motion or when the scene contains large light‑to‑dark transitions. It can ruin an otherwise beautiful footage and frustrate creators who expect a clean HDR output from a premium device.

The purpose of this article is to guide you through the process of recreating the HDR video shutter problem on a Huawei P50 Pro in a controlled environment. By reproducing the glitch step by step, you can better understand its cause, test potential fixes, and share evidence with Huawei or the community. The walkthrough covers preparation, execution, and analysis, and it is written in a way that is approachable for both casual photographers and advanced users.

What Is the HDR Video Shutter Problem?

In a normal HDR video, the camera combines multiple exposures to extend the dynamic range. The sensor captures a low‑ISO frame, a mid‑ISO frame, and a high‑ISO frame, then blends them together to produce a single image with reduced noise and better contrast. When this blending process is imperfect, the software may apply exposure changes at slightly different times for each exposure. The result is a visual artifact that looks like a thin, flickering line—often moving like a shutter—hence the name.

On the Huawei P50 Pro, the problem is most noticeable when:

• The scene contains bright lights next to dark shadows.
• There is rapid camera motion or a moving subject.
• The lighting changes quickly (e.g., entering a dim room from outdoors).

The flicker usually occurs at a frequency of 30 Hz or 60 Hz, depending on the display refresh rate, and can be mistaken for a frame‑drop or an abnormal compression artifact.

Why Recreate the Problem?

Reproducing the glitch is useful for several reasons:

1. Debugging – If you suspect a software update has fixed the issue, you can verify it by re‑creating the scenario.
2. Reporting – A documented sample is more convincing when filing a bug report or requesting a patch.
3. Testing Workarounds – If you have a workaround (e.g., disabling HDR, changing resolution), you can confirm its effectiveness by reproducing the glitch and then re‑capturing.
4. Educational – Understanding the glitch helps users decide when to use HDR or alternative recording modes.

Equipment and Tools Needed

All you really need is the phone and a way to create a bright‑to‑dark scene that changes quickly. An external camera is handy for verifying that the problem is on the phone’s video, not the playback device.

Step‑by‑Step Guide to Recreating the HDR Video Shutter Problem

1. Prepare the Scene

• Position a bright LED or a flashlight so that it illuminates a small area of a white or light‑colored wall.
• Place the Huawei P50 Pro on a tripod facing the illuminated spot. Ensure the camera is pointed directly at the light source and that the scene is within the focus distance.
• Adjust the phone’s camera angle so that the light covers roughly one‑third of the frame, leaving a dark or shadowed area in the other two‑thirds. This maximizes dynamic range.

2. Configure the Camera Settings

• Open the native camera app.
• Switch to Video mode.
• Enable HDR by tapping the HDR icon or selecting Advanced → HDR video.
• Set the resolution to 1080p and frame rate to 30fps or 60fps. The glitch is more visible at 60fps because the exposure changes happen more frequently.
• Disable HDR auto‑switch if the app offers it; force HDR on.
• Ensure that Night mode or AI stabilization is turned off, as these can interfere with the glitch.

3. Trigger the Flicker

• Turn on the light source. The LED should be bright enough to create a strong highlight on the wall.
• Start recording.
• While recording, slowly dim the light or turn it off using a remote switch or by moving a hand over it. The rapid change in luminance will force the camera to adjust exposure between the different exposure shots.
• Keep the phone still or make a gentle pan to a few degrees. Rapid motion can exaggerate the flicker.

You should see a thin, vertical or diagonal line of brightness flickering across the frame, often moving like a shutter. The line may appear to travel from the light side to the dark side or vice versa.

4. Capture a Long Clip

Record for at least 15 seconds to capture multiple occurrences of the flicker. The longer the clip, the easier it is to analyze the frequency and pattern of the artifact.

5. Stop and Save

End the recording and save the clip to the phone’s gallery. Make sure the video file is stored in its original resolution (no automatic compression).

6. Verify the Glitch

Play back the video on the phone. If you notice the flicker, you have successfully recreated the HDR video shutter problem. If the clip looks smooth, try adjusting the lighting intensity or increasing the speed of dimming.

Analyzing the Flicker

Once you have a clip that shows the glitch, it is useful to examine it in a video editor. Import the file into DaVinci Resolve, Premiere, or any editor that supports frame‑by‑frame viewing.

1. Open the Clip – Drag it onto the timeline.
2. Zoom In – Double‑click the video to open it in the viewer and use the zoom controls to inspect a single pixel column.
3. Enable Frame Stepping – Use the arrow keys to move one frame at a time. Observe how the brightness of the flickering line changes relative to the rest of the frame.
4. Extract Brightness Waveform – In Resolve, add a Waveform overlay to see the luminance over time. The flicker will appear as a rapid oscillation.
5. Compare with Reference – If you recorded with an external camera, play the reference footage side by side to confirm that the glitch exists only on the Huawei clip.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

The Glitch Does Not Appear

• Check HDR is Enabled – Some camera apps have a hidden toggle or may revert to non‑HDR if the scene is too dark.
• Update the Firmware – Older software may not reproduce the glitch. Try a factory reset or a clean ROM.
• Adjust Lighting – The LED must be bright enough. If it is too weak, the camera may not trigger HDR blending.
• Disable Image Stabilization – Certain stabilization features can mask the flicker.

The Flicker Is Too Weak

• Increase Contrast – Move the light source farther from the camera so the illuminated area is smaller and brighter.
• Use a Flash – A small external flash can provide a sharper highlight that forces the HDR algorithm to work harder.

The Video Plays Smoothly on the Phone but Not on a PC

• Check Playback Software – Some media players apply deinterlacing or smoothing that can hide artifacts. Use VLC or a professional editor to see the raw footage.

Workarounds and Fixes

If you need to record HDR video but want to avoid the shutter glitch, consider the following:

• Disable HDR – It eliminates the artifact at the cost of lower dynamic range.
• Record in 4K 30fps – The 4K sensor may handle HDR blending better, but this is not guaranteed.
• Use a Third‑Party Camera App – Apps like Open Camera or Filmic Pro may have different HDR implementations.
• Update to the Latest OTA – Huawei may have patched the issue in a recent firmware update. Always test after each OTA.

If you are comfortable with rooting, you can try to modify the camera firmware or replace the HDR processing module, but this is advanced and may void warranties.

Why This Happens From a Technical Perspective

The HDR algorithm in the Huawei P50 Pro relies on a dual‑exposure capture. The phone takes a low‑ISO frame (longer exposure), a mid‑ISO frame (standard exposure), and a high‑ISO frame (short exposure). It then merges them in real time. The merging step involves aligning the frames pixel‑by‑pixel and weighting each pixel based on its brightness.

When the scene’s lighting changes abruptly (e.g., turning a bright LED on or off), the exposure for each of the three frames changes at slightly different times because each exposure duration is different. This misalignment leads to a visible “shutter” effect: a line of pixels that is over‑exposed in one frame and under‑exposed in another, producing a flicker. Because the camera tries to keep the output at 30fps or 60fps, the artifact is synchronized with the refresh rate, making it appear as a mechanical shutter.

In the P50 Pro, the HDR algorithm is executed on a dedicated image signal processor (ISP) that does not apply temporal anti‑aliasing. Thus, the misalignment is not corrected, and the flicker remains visible. Huawei’s firmware updates occasionally tweak the exposure alignment algorithm, but many users report the problem persists in the latest builds.

Future Directions

For developers and researchers interested in camera firmware, the HDR video shutter problem is a valuable case study. It highlights the importance of:

• Temporal Alignment – Aligning frames in time, not just space, during HDR merging.
• Exposure Synchronization – Using hardware triggers to ensure exposures start simultaneously.
• Post‑Processing Filters – Applying a mild temporal smoothing filter to reduce flicker without sacrificing sharpness.

While end‑users cannot change the firmware, the knowledge can guide future camera designs and software updates.

Conclusion

Recreating the HDR video shutter problem on a Huawei P50 Pro is a straightforward but informative exercise. By setting up a high‑contrast scene, enabling HDR, and abruptly changing illumination, you can trigger the characteristic flicker that many users encounter. Once you have a sample clip, you can analyze it in detail, test fixes, and provide solid evidence when reporting the issue.

Understanding the underlying cause—misaligned exposures during HDR merging—offers insight into why the glitch occurs and how it might be mitigated. Whether you are a content creator, a tech enthusiast, or a developer, having a clear, reproducible example is invaluable for troubleshooting, communication, and improving future camera experiences.