Katarzyna Petru
Dolby has officially presented Dolby Vision 2 – the successor to one of the most popular HDR standards. The previous version gave creators control over colours, contrast, and brightness in such a way that their works were presented on screens exactly as they intended. However, Dolby Vision 2 goes much further – it encompasses not only colour reproduction but also motion and adaptation of the image to the viewer's environment. This is a step that could change the way we watch films and series – and at the same time divide the industry.
Content Intelligence – AI is set to brighten even the darkest scenes
One of the pillars of Dolby Vision 2 is Content Intelligence, which is a set of functions supported by artificial intelligence. Dolby promises that thanks to these features, the picture will always be clear and readable, whether we are watching a movie in a dark room or in a sunlit lounge.
The system will utilise light sensors in the television, which will adjust the image presentation to the surrounding conditions. This is meant to address the long-standing complaints from viewers that some productions are "too dark" and unreadable on average screens. Just think of Silo on Apple TV+ or the famous "Battle of Winterfell" in the final season of Game of Thrones.
Dolby assures that Content Intelligence "will improve clarity in any conditions without compromising the creator's vision." It’s an incredibly tempting promise – but the question is whether it will actually be possible to strike a balance between the director's intent and the practice of everyday viewing.
Authentic Motion – a new way to move or another form of "soap opera effect"?
The second, even more controversial feature of Dolby Vision 2 is Authentic Motion. Dolby promotes this as "the world's first creative motion control tool," allowing creators to decide scene by scene how the dynamics of the image should look.
Why is this important? For years, most televisions have offered what is known as motion smoothing – artificially smoothing the image, which transforms films recorded at 24 fps into something that looks more like video at 60 fps. Some viewers enjoy this effect because the image appears smoother. However, most film enthusiasts and nearly all directors criticise it for stripping films of their cinematic quality and adding artifacts.
Dolby claims to have a solution: Authentic Motion aims to reduce judder and blurring, while not turning the film into a "home video recording." Furthermore, scene-by-scene control will allow the director to decide where the motion should be smooth and where to maintain the distinctive "jitter" of 24 fps film.
Does it actually work? It's hard to say at this point. Dolby has yet to show public demonstrations. It's also uncertain whether they have managed to eliminate the artifact issue that has plagued all forms of motion smoothing for years.
What’s next for Dolby Vision 2 and who will be the first to introduce it?
For now, two things are certain. Firstly, Hisense is the first manufacturer to announce that their new TVs will support Dolby Vision 2. Secondly, CANAL+ has joined the content creators' side, declaring support for the new format in the production process.
Dolby has also announced two variants of the standard:
Dolby Vision 2 – intended for mid-range and lower-end TVs,
Dolby Vision 2 Max – for premium models, where differences may include better motion reproduction, higher AI precision, or more advanced image adaptation.
Technical details, however, remain unclear. Dolby has not yet provided any release dates or detailed specifications. It is only known that the first presentations are expected at CES in January.
Will Dolby Vision 2 change the way we watch films?
On paper, the new standard looks like a compromise between artistic vision and the convenience of everyday viewing. AI is set to ensure that films are never "too dark", and new motion technology is finally supposed to resolve the debate around motion smoothing.
However, what some may see as a breakthrough, others may view as an infringement on the art of film. If Dolby truly allows directors to determine the appearance of motion scene by scene, it may calm the critics. But if it turns out to be just a new form of artificial smoothing – the discussion around Dolby Vision 2 will last for years.
