Dolby Vision 2: AI-Powered HDR with Authentic Motion
▼ Summary
– Dolby Vision 2 introduces AI-powered “Content Intelligence” tools that automatically optimize TV settings based on viewing content, location, and device.
– New features include Precision Black for improved dark scene clarity and an updated Light Sense that adjusts picture quality using ambient light and source material data.
– The format includes “Authentic Motion” to reduce unwanted judder and the soap opera effect while maintaining a cinematic look on a shot-by-shot basis.
– Hisense will be the first brand to launch TVs with Dolby Vision 2, powered by a MediaTek Pentonic 800 chip, with other brands likely to follow.
– Dolby Vision 2 splits into two tiers: Max for premium features on high-performance TVs and a standard label for mainstream TVs with improved picture quality.
A decade after its initial debut, Dolby Vision 2 has arrived, bringing a new era of AI-driven high dynamic range technology designed to intelligently adapt to your viewing environment and content. This next-generation format goes beyond traditional tone mapping, introducing advanced features that promise a more personalized and cinematic experience right in your living room.
Central to this upgrade is Content Intelligence, a suite of AI-powered tools that automatically fine-tunes your television based on the specific content you’re watching, the device you’re using, and the lighting conditions in your room. Building on the foundation of Dolby Vision IQ, this system aims to deliver optimal picture quality without requiring manual adjustments from the viewer.
Among the standout features is Precision Black, engineered to enhance detail in shadowy scenes while staying true to the director’s original vision. The updated Light Sense feature combines ambient light detection with reference lighting data from the source material, ensuring consistent image quality regardless of room brightness. Additionally, bi-directional tone mapping allows content creators to make more precise use of a display’s capabilities, enabling higher peak brightness, sharper contrast, and richer color saturation on compatible high-performance TVs.
One of the most talked-about additions is Authentic Motion, a creative-driven tool designed to tackle the longstanding issue of motion smoothing, often criticized for creating an artificial “soap opera effect.” By enabling shot-by-shot control, Dolby claims this feature reduces unwanted judder while preserving the authentic cinematic look filmmakers intend. While the promise is significant, real-world performance will ultimately determine its success.
Hisense is set to be the first manufacturer to release televisions equipped with Dolby Vision 2, powered by the MediaTek Pentonic 800 chip. With nearly 350 models from brands like LG, TCL, Sony, Vizio, and Roku already supporting the current Dolby Vision standard, industry watchers expect more brands to adopt this enhanced version in the near future.
According to Dolby spokesperson Cairon Armstrong, existing Dolby Vision content will remain compatible with TVs supporting either specification. However, only displays with Dolby Vision 2 capabilities will be able to recognize and utilize the new metadata when available.
To simplify consumer choices, the new specification introduces a two-tier system. Dolby Vision 2 Max denotes premium features available on the highest-performing televisions, while the standard Dolby Vision 2 label indicates improved picture quality on mainstream models. This clearer labeling aims to help shoppers identify which TVs offer the full suite of next-generation enhancements.
(Source: The Verge)
