High resolution valence photoelectron spectra of HBr and DBr induced by an AlK-alpha X-ray source are reported. The valence electron X-ray excited spectra have been recorded in an extended energy range including the double ionization continuum up to 10 eV above the first double ionization threshold. For the outer valence A state UV excited results are also reported. Isotope effects in HBr and DBr are observed in the high energy excited spectra. Using a line profile analysis potential curves are sketched and it is concluded that in analogy with HCl most of the inner valence lines belong to the 4-sigma-1 2-SIGMA+ manifold owing to the final ionic state configuration interaction. However, as in the case of HCl one narrow line can probably be associated with a 2-PI state corresponding to a shake-up transition in the outer valence region.