There are no hidden bulbs. All automotive HID headlights are simply a specialized version of a metal halide light such as you may see lighting up the flag at night. Metal halide bulbs are current driven not voltage driven. What this means is that the voltage varies with the temperature of the bulb but the current remains constant. The brightness is not adjustable as under/overpowering them reduces the lifespan of the bulb. The way HID equipped cars switch from low to high beam and back is that the optics that direct the light move to different positions to adjust the focus and aim of the light beam.
Just so you know:
Metal halide= bright white light usually used for illuminating flags, buildings, and billboards at night.
Mercury vapor= bluish light that makes people and red objects look strange because they don't emit any red wavelengths. Usually used as a yard light.
High pressure sodium= orangish light that is usually used to illuminate parking lots and streets because it has a higher efficiency (lumens per watt) than the other 2 types thus it costs less to operate.
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