Katarzyna Petru
At the IFA 2025 trade fair, one of the hottest topics was the official announcement of a new version of the popular HDR standard from Dolby. Dolby Vision 2 is set to introduce a number of technological enhancements that – at least in theory – could elevate image quality to an even higher level than before. Importantly, Dolby has prepared two versions of the standard: Dolby Vision 2 and Dolby Vision 2 Max. The latter variant will fully utilise the potential of the new solution, targeting the premium segment and the most demanding users.
Content Intelligence, Precision Black and Better Colour Mapping
Dolby has revealed that Dolby Vision 2 will receive a completely new Content Intelligence engine, based on artificial intelligence algorithms. Its task is to dynamically adjust the image to the surrounding conditions, primarily to the level of lighting in the room. This means that the television will be able to "intelligently" enhance the visibility of details without the need for viewer intervention. Another new feature is Precision Black, designed for better readability of dark scenes – without the effect of losing the artistic intent of filmmakers.
There are also improvements related to motion – scene by scene artefacts are to be eliminated, which could significantly enhance the reception of dynamic shots. Dolby also promises enhanced tone mapping, which will lead to more natural colours and more precise brightness.
Hisense as a launch partner
The official partner for the launch of Dolby Vision 2 is the company Hisense. The first models supporting the new standard will include a massive 116-inch RGB-MiniLED television and the upcoming U9 series with RGB LED technology. However, Dolby did not reveal whether other manufacturers plan to quickly implement the format.
LG says "no", Samsung remains silent
Against the backdrop of competition, LG has made its stance quite clear. The manufacturer has openly stated that it does not plan to implement Dolby Vision 2 in its televisions. Moreover, it confirmed that the standard is not backward compatible, making updates for older models impossible. The reason is straightforward – Dolby Vision 2 requires the new MediaTek Pentonic 800 chip, which LG does not use in its designs. As a result, the company would have to completely redesign its chipsets, which seems unprofitable given the lack of native content in DV2.
Samsung has traditionally stuck to its position – the manufacturer declined to comment, but it is hard to expect the company to suddenly change its policy and implement Dolby Vision. For years, Samsung has been backing the competing format HDR10+, of which it is one of the main promoters, and it will likely now focus on preparing an enhanced version of this standard in response to Dolby Vision 2.
Sony and TCL suggest readiness
A bit more hope was provided by Sony and TCL. Although TCL did not officially respond to journalists' questions, a prototype television appeared at the company's booth with a large banner stating "Dolby Vision 2.0". This is a clear suggestion that the company is working on implementation.
On the other hand, Sony confirmed that Dolby remains an "important partner" for them, and talks about Dolby Vision 2 are already underway. At the same time, the lack of definitive statements suggests that the company is still exploring implementation possibilities, most likely with the aim of a premiere in 2026.
Projectors, smartphones and physical media – what’s next?
During IFA 2025, the question about other devices also arose. Dolby admitted that the current priority is televisions, but in the future, the topic of support for projectors, smartphones and Blu-ray players will also be addressed.
In the case of projectors, the prospects are good – many modern models use the same processors as televisions. An upgrade to the new MediaTek chip could therefore suffice.
However, the situation in the physical media segment looks much worse. The Blu-ray player market has stagnated for several years. Panasonic has not released a new device since 2021, and Sony this year only showcased a slightly refreshed model from 2019. Even Magnetar, a brand associated with exclusive players, took four years to refresh its flagship models – and the latest UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII do not support Dolby Vision 2.
This means that we will have to wait a really long time for support of the new standard in players. As long as the streaming market continues to dominate, physical hardware manufacturers will not rush to invest in Dolby Vision 2.
Source: hdtvtest
