Dolby Vision for content creators

HDR has quickly become the new standard for TV with streaming services and studios adopting Dolby Vision as the master deliverable and key workflow for content creation. There are now over 20,000 TV episodes or movies available in Dolby Vision and over 1.5 billion consumer devices in the market – with 99% of people worldwide having access to a service. 

The Dolby Vision® post-production tools and workflow give you everything you need to efficiently create HDR and SDR content that looks amazing and helps ensure that what you create in the color suite is more consistent when experienced across TVs, PCs, tablets and mobile devices.

Consistent across all devices

Viewers consume content across a multitude of devices — TVs, tablets, PCs, and mobile phones as well as cinema projectors — all with different brightness capabilities and color performance. To overcome the impossible challenge of mastering for all of these variables, Dolby Vision helps preserve and deliver the artist's intent, as set in the HDR reference master, through dynamic metadata and tone mapping. With Dolby Vision, the colorist is empowered to control how the content maps to the end devices by adjusting the mapping with artistic trims. This gives content creators confidence that their images are represented on all screens with ultimate consistency.

Premium color-mastering 

Using the Dolby Vision workflow inside your preferred color correction or mastering system, you can efficiently master once to create streamlined deliverables in Dolby Vision, HDR10, and SDR for home as well as standard DCI for the cinema. You simply start by creating the HDR master image, which has the most dynamic range and widest color gamut, and then perform the automatic Dolby Vision shot-by-shot analysis. Then, the Dolby Vision workflow and tools allow you to view the automatic mapping to a lesser target, typically down to SDR (maintaining the artistic intent from the HDR grade) and if desired, adjust or ‘trim’ the mapping for each shot. This process is very efficient  compared to having to create 2 or 3 separate grades and far less constricting than mapping with static LUTs or other color science.

Dolby Vision^® is supported and integrated into the top color-grading and mastering tools.

 Creating the Dolby Vision master begins with creating your master HDR grade first, using a color-grading or mastering system with your output color space using the PQ EOTF (SMPTE ST. 2084) transfer function  and  P3 or Rec 2020 color primaries.  In order to see the proper peak brightness levels, deep blacks, and wide color gamut to create an incredible-looking HDR image, Dolby has recommended guidelines which closely follow the EBU Tech 3320 specification for a grade 1 HDR mastering monitor. It should be:

• At least 1,000 nits of peak brightness
• At least a 200,000:1 contrast ratio
• A minimum black level performance of 0.005 nits
• At least 99% of the P3 Color Gamut

Note: Other aspects of the content creation pipeline like VFX creation, packaging, and QC may have less stringent guidelines. For more info about monitors, read this article on our content support web portal.

Once the master HDR grade is complete, you simply perform the automatic Dolby Vision analysis to automatically generate the core Dolby Vision metadata: three values for each shot that represent the minimum, average, and maximum luminance levels. This function is integrated into the most popular video color-grading and mastering tools. You then can see and confirm the Dolby Vision shot-by-shot metadata tone-mapping to SDR Rec. 709 100 nits in real time, through a Content Mapping Unit (CMU for short). This can be either an internal process integrated in the application you’re using (or iCMU), or via an external unit (or eCMU).

When viewing the mapped version through the CMU process, many content creators will want to make adjustments to the metadata on a shot-by-shot basis using (optional) additional "artistic trim controls." This creates an additional level of metadata in a fast and easy way. The combined automatic and artistic trim metadata travels with the HDR image to Dolby Vision TV’s and devices to help best deliver the creative intent of the HDR master by mapping each shot to the capabilities of the consumer device. Analysis metadata creation is included in many professional video tools at no charge. The artistic trims are available in color-grading systems but require a one-time license purchase from Dolby to activate.

Dolby Vision workflow and tools now also include additional Cinema targets and trims, allowing you to take your HDR master grade for ‘home’ and create great looking versions for standard DCI (SDR) cinema projectors and the Dolby Vision (HDR) laser projection system at the Dolby Cinema.

Click here to purchase a license on the Dolby Professional Store.

Once color grading is complete, you can create all your high-quality deliverables using the HDR master grade and Dolby Vision metadata. You can then export the final grade in the highest image quality – typically a 16-bit TIFF sequence, 12-bit JPEG2000, Pro Res 4444XQ or other uncompressed or lossless image container, and the accompanying Dolby Vision dynamic metadata as an XML file for the deep archive master – and/or export the final grade directly as an IMF package or J2K Mezzanine with interleaved metadata (as a service master).  

Archive masters, and/or mezzanines, can then be imported into a Dolby Vision mastering tool to create a mezzanine file (or service master), any deliverables and, if needed, perform any additional editorial functions. This file can also be used to create and deliver all other rendered versions like generic HDR10 and SDR Rec 709.

These tools are also used for QC purposes by decoding the image and metadata to a target display, like a 600-nit HDR monitor. You can also QC the Dolby Vision XML using the Dolby Metafier tool, included with the Dolby Vision Professional Tools - which is a free download on the Dolby Customer portal.

Some partner tools allow for Dolby Vision encoding which generates a Dolby Vision HEVC bitstream for remote review and approval or independent distribution. Broadcast quality encoding is usually accomplished by the studio, streaming service, or there are on-premises and or cloud encoding solutions that support Dolby Vision.

Whether you choose solution option 1 or option 2 outlined below, Dolby Vision can improve your workflow and help you create and deliver the best-looking HDR content.

There are no per title or overarching studio licensing fees to create and deliver Dolby Vision content.

Option 1: The Dolby Vision Integrated Solution (No License Required)

The top modern color correction and mastering systems listed below offer integrated Dolby Vision capabilities at no additional charge from Dolby. What can you do with this integrated “no license needed” version?*

• Add shot-by-shot or frame by frame* Dolby Vision metadata automatically to your HDR projects. These three analysis values define how your content should be tone-mapped based on the device capabilities or target output.
• Internal Content Mapping (iCMU) support for real-time, tone-mapped playback of the Dolby Vision dynamic metadata to a specific ‘home’ target like SDR Rec. 709 100 nits or HDR PQ P3/Rec 2020 600 nits. This process emulates mapping on the consumer TV or device.
• Internal Content Mapping (iCMU) support with the iCMU for real-time, HDR tone-mapped playback of the Dolby Vision dynamic metadata to a specific ‘cinema’ target like SDR Gamma P3 48 nits or Dolby Cinema HDR PQ P3 108 nits.*
• Export (or import and apply) a Dolby Vision XML
• Export a Dolby Vision mezzanine or IMF package
• Import a Dolby Vision mezzanine or IMF package and map to a target and playback for QC
• Render out specific deliverables from a Dolby Vision master – like an SDR Rec. 709 file derived from the process
• Render a Dolby Vision encoded file for client review or sharing on Dolby Vision-enabled devices.*

*Support may vary per partner tool. Consult with each partner as to the specific features supported and any potential additional costs that may occur. "No license needed" indicates there is no additional charge from Dolby.

The Dolby Vision Professional Tools

The Dolby Vision Professional Tools are a suite of free command line software tools for various important processing and QC functionality and are free to download on Dolby Customer portal. They include:

• Metafier: a software tool for managing, editing and verifying XML metadata

• CM Offline: a software tool for rendering Rec. 709 and other deliverables

• Mezzinator: a software tool for creating Dolby Vision mezzanines

• CM Analyze: a software tool that can create Dolby Vision shot or frame-based (aka "long play") analysis metadata from an HDR10 file. Also can create MaxFLL and MaxCLL values for a Dolby Vision XML.

Option 2: The Dolby Vision Trims License

This paid license includes all the items listed in option 1 above and unlocks the full Dolby Vision artistic trim controls to create an additional layer of metadata which is most commonly used by colorists to deliver shows and movies to the top studios and streaming services. The 21 primary and (six-vector color) secondary trim controls can adjust the mapping for both ‘home’ and ‘cinema’ targets unleashing the most powerful, comprehensive HDR mastering tools in your professional color-grading system allowing you to customize and shape your artistic intent to a wide range of consumer devices and deliverables. The license is a $1,000 (USD) one-time purchase which can work on multiple machines in your facility.

Click here for ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ about purchasing the Dolby Vision Trims License on the Dolby Store.

Click here to purchase a license on the Dolby Professional Store.

Note:

• Please allow for 7 business days for order processing
• The Dolby Store accepts credit card purchases only.

Are you a Studio or Production Company interested in creating and delivering your owned content in Dolby Vision to Netflix and other streaming services? Contact us here for special pricing and more information.

Are you a Studio or Production Company interested in creating and delivering your owned content in Dolby Vision to Netflix and other streaming services? Contact us here for special pricing and more information.

Supported Third-Party Systems

Dolby Vision compatible color-grading systems:

• Autodesk Flame 2021
• Blackmagic Design
• DaVinci Resolve
• Digital Vision Nucoda
• Filmlight Baselight
• Grass Valley RIO
• SGO Mistika

Dolby Vision compatible mastering & QC systems:

• Colorfront Transkoder
• Fraunhofer EasyDCP Creator+
• Greymeta IRIS
• Interra Baton
• Marquise Technologies MIST
• MTI Film Cortex
• Rhode & Schwarz Clipster
• Venera Pulsar

To learn more about what these tools support, read this article, on our professional support website.

With the growing demand for Dolby Vision content worldwide, gaining a deep understanding of the Dolby Vision tools and workflow has never been more important. There are several options and resources for you to learn how to create your content in Dolby Vision.

Dolby Creator Lab Self-Guided Online Training (Free)

Dolby Vision Individual Certification

Whether you are a colorist or engineer, finish off your Dolby Vision training experience by becoming a Dolby Vision certified individual for $250. This involves passing both an online multiple-choice test and a practical test where you download a color-graded HDR file/EDL, add titles, dissolves/fades and create the Dolby Vision metadata, as well as create a Dolby Vision IMF package to submit to a Dolby instructor (much like the QC process for a streaming show). Once passing both portions, certified individuals will be allowed to use a Dolby Vision Certified logo on their website or email signature and be listed below on Professional.Dolby.com.

Note: Certification is designed for professional colorists, engineers, etc creating content for streaming services, networks, and movie studios. It requires a standard level of color correction and color science experience to deliver those shows in SDR. The test requires a clear understanding of the detailed process, and it is therefore strongly recommended to take the training first with only two attempts to pass before a repurchase is required.

Click here to purchase the Dolby Vision individual certification application.

The Dolby Vision Facility Certification program has closed for new applications in most countries as we have transitioned to the new individual training and certification.

See all Dolby Vision Certified Professionals here.

The best resource for Dolby Vision content creation guidance, documentation, FAQs, and self-help is  The Dolby Professional Support Help Center. It contains these key sections (as active links):

• Best practices guide
• Knowledge base articles and FAQs
• DaVinci Resolve Tutorials YouTube Playlist
• Documentation: user guides and best practices guides
• Past webinars on Dolby Vision

Sign up to receive updates on Dolby Vision Technical Webinars

Videos

• Conversations with Colorists podcast series

• Dolby Vision (Derived) SDR Survey