Dolby Vision is a set of technologies developed by Dolby Laboratories for high dynamic range (HDR) video.[1][2][3] It covers content creation, distribution, and playback.[1][4][5][6] It includes dynamic metadata that define the aspect ratio and adjust the picture based on a display's capabilities on a per-shot or even per-frame basis, optimizing the presentation.
Dolby Vision was introduced in 2014,[1][7] making it the first available HDR format. HDR10+ is a competitor HDR format that also uses dynamic metadata.[8]
Dolby Vision IQ is an update designed to optimize Dolby Vision content according to the ambient light.[9]
Dolby Cinema also uses Dolby Vision in conjunction with Dolby Atmos sound systems, though because of the use of 2.6 gamma and thus 48 nits in SDR theaters, the 108 nits used in Dolby Cinema is already HDR.[10]
Description
Dolby Vision allows for a maximum resolution of 8K, up to 12-bit color depth, and maximum peak brightness of 10,000 nits.[11] However, according to the Dolby Vision white paper, as of 2018 professional reference monitors, such as the Dolby Vision HDR reference monitor, are currently limited to 4,000 nits of peak brightness.[12]
Dolby Vision includes the PQ transfer function, a wide-gamut color space (ITU-R Rec. BT.2020 in YCBCR or IPTPQc2), up to 8K resolution, and for some profiles (FEL) up to 12-bit. It can encode mastering display colorimetry information using static metadata (SMPTE ST 2086) and also provide dynamic metadata (SMPTE ST 2094-10, Dolby format) for each scene or frame.[13]
This dynamic metadata allows adjusting of the image on a scene-by-scene or even frame-by-frame basis.[14] These adjustments, called "trims" in Dolby's support documents, include parameters such as Lift, Gamma, Gain, Saturation, Chroma Weight, and so on. Each set of trims is specific to its respective target displays defined by nits and colorspace. Image aspect ratios can also be defined on a per-shot basis.[15]
In addition to films and television, Dolby Vision is also used for concert films and live entertainment streaming. Services like On Air offer high-quality concert experiences in Dolby Vision, providing viewers with a cinematic at-home concert experience.[17]
Technical details
The Dolby Vision format is capable of representing videos with a peak brightness up to 10,000 cd/m2 and a color gamut up to Rec. 2020.[18] Current displays cannot reproduce the full Dolby Vision brightness and gamut capability. There are no brightness and color gamut capability requirements for consumer displays. When the consumer display has lower color volume than the mastering display, the content is adjusted to the consumer display capability based on the dynamic metadata.
Some Dolby Vision profiles are dual-layer (for example: the profile 7 used for Ultra HD Blu-ray).[22] The base layer (BL) and the enhancement layer (EL) are combined to produce a 12-bit video stream.[4]
The enhancement layer can be a full enhancement layer (FEL) or a minimum enhancement layer (MEL).[22]
Dolby Vision is a proprietary solution by Dolby.[29]
In 2021, compatible color grading systems can create Dolby Vision automatic metadata with no additional cost for content creators.[29] A $2,500 annual license is required to activate the trims, allowing content creators to manually adjust the video.[29] OEM and manufacturer of a grading, mastering, editorial, or other professional application or device need to apply for a license.[29]
Dolby SVP of Business Giles Baker has stated that the royalty cost for Dolby Vision is less than $3 per TV.[30]
Despite the proprietary nature, several free software implementations of Dolby Vision exist (see §Software).
Libplacebo (part of the VideoLAN project) has support for Dolby Vision Profile 5's IPTPQc2 color space, MMR and reshaping, but no current support for dynamic metadata or NLQ[43]
MPC-HC has partial support (profiles 5, 8.1, 8.4)[44][45] through MPC Video Renderer
On September 2, 2025 Dolby announced their successors to Dolby Vision and Dolby Vision IQ, as well as the first manufacturers to support the new standards. Dolby Vision 2 adds support for "Precision Black", a feature designed to make content easier to watch in extremely dark scenes. It also adds "Light Sense" which utilizes an ambient light sensor to dynamically adjust content display settings to account for the viewing environment. Dolby Vision 2 Max will include extra features beyond the base Vision 2. The first manufacturer to release a Dolby Vision 2 capable display is Hisense.[47]
Notes
↑ iPhone 8/8 Plus, XR, 11, and SE (2nd generation) can play Dolby Vision content despite not having an HDR-ready display, done by down-converting the HDR content to fit the display while still having some enhancements to dynamic range, contrast, and wide color gamut compared to standard content.[33]
↑ "【全球首家】杜比视界用户投稿功能上线啦！"[[The World's First] Dolby Vision User Contribution Function Is Online!]. Bilibili.com (in Chinese). August 18, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
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