Over a decade after the introduction of Dolby Vision technology, this High Dynamic Range (HDR) format has received a significant upgrade. The new Dolby Vision 2 goes beyond the previous version's ability to simply optimize tone and brightness for different scenes. It now includes an innovative "Content Intelligence" tool, which uses AI to automatically enhance a TV's picture based on the content being watched, the user's viewing environment, and the specific device being used.
The new version features "Precision Black," a function that improves the clarity of dark scenes without drastically altering the creator's original artistic intent. It also includes "Light Sense," which detects ambient light and uses a reference light data stream from the content source to adjust picture quality in real time. Additionally, Dolby Vision 2 supports bi-directional tone mapping, a technology that Dolby says gives content creators better control over display performance, allowing high-performance TVs to showcase greater brightness, more vivid contrast, and richer colors.
Dolby Vision 2 also features an optimized "motion smoothing" function. Previously, motion smoothing, which creates an overly smooth "soap opera effect," has been a major point of criticism from creators and celebrities like Tom Cruise. The new "Authentic Motion" feature, which Dolby calls the first "creator-led motion control tool," adjusts motion smoothing on a frame-by-frame basis to reduce unwanted judder while preserving the original cinematic feel of the content. However, the actual effectiveness of this claim will require hands-on experience to fully assess.
In terms of brand partnerships, Hisense will be the first company to launch a TV equipped with Dolby Vision 2, utilizing MediaTek's Pentonic 800 chip. Currently, nearly 350 TVs from brands like LG, TCL, Sony, Vizio, and Roku support the original Dolby Vision format, and it is expected that more brands will soon announce their adoption of Dolby Vision 2.
In an email to The Verge, Dolby spokesperson Cairon Armstrong stated that content supporting the Dolby Vision format will play normally on TVs compatible with either the original Dolby Vision or Dolby Vision 2. However, only TVs with Dolby Vision 2 decoding capabilities can recognize and utilize the additional metadata included in the content to achieve the new format’s exclusive optimizations.
Compared to the original technology, Dolby Vision 2 also introduces a tiered system to make it easier for consumers to identify which features their TV supports. "Dolby Vision 2 Max" is designed for "high-performance TVs," offering additional premium features. The standard "Dolby Vision 2" label is for "mainstream TVs," which, while not having all the premium features of the Max version, still provide a significant improvement in picture quality.
The new version features "Precision Black," a function that improves the clarity of dark scenes without drastically altering the creator's original artistic intent. It also includes "Light Sense," which detects ambient light and uses a reference light data stream from the content source to adjust picture quality in real time. Additionally, Dolby Vision 2 supports bi-directional tone mapping, a technology that Dolby says gives content creators better control over display performance, allowing high-performance TVs to showcase greater brightness, more vivid contrast, and richer colors.
Optimized Motion and Expanded Ecosystem
Dolby Vision 2 also features an optimized "motion smoothing" function. Previously, motion smoothing, which creates an overly smooth "soap opera effect," has been a major point of criticism from creators and celebrities like Tom Cruise. The new "Authentic Motion" feature, which Dolby calls the first "creator-led motion control tool," adjusts motion smoothing on a frame-by-frame basis to reduce unwanted judder while preserving the original cinematic feel of the content. However, the actual effectiveness of this claim will require hands-on experience to fully assess.
In terms of brand partnerships, Hisense will be the first company to launch a TV equipped with Dolby Vision 2, utilizing MediaTek's Pentonic 800 chip. Currently, nearly 350 TVs from brands like LG, TCL, Sony, Vizio, and Roku support the original Dolby Vision format, and it is expected that more brands will soon announce their adoption of Dolby Vision 2.
In an email to The Verge, Dolby spokesperson Cairon Armstrong stated that content supporting the Dolby Vision format will play normally on TVs compatible with either the original Dolby Vision or Dolby Vision 2. However, only TVs with Dolby Vision 2 decoding capabilities can recognize and utilize the additional metadata included in the content to achieve the new format’s exclusive optimizations.
New Tiered System for Consumers
Compared to the original technology, Dolby Vision 2 also introduces a tiered system to make it easier for consumers to identify which features their TV supports. "Dolby Vision 2 Max" is designed for "high-performance TVs," offering additional premium features. The standard "Dolby Vision 2" label is for "mainstream TVs," which, while not having all the premium features of the Max version, still provide a significant improvement in picture quality.