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 displayed 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 surroundings. 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, a set of features supported by artificial intelligence. Dolby promises that thanks to these features, the image will always be clear and readable, whether we are watching a film in a dark room or in a sunlit living room.
The system will utilise light sensors in the television, which will adjust the presentation of the image according to the surrounding conditions. This aims to address the long-standing complaints from viewers that some productions are "too dark" and unreadable on average screens. Just remember Silo on Apple TV+ or the infamous "Battle of Winterfell" in the final season of Game of Thrones.
Dolby assures that Content Intelligence "will enhance clarity in all conditions without compromising the creator's vision." It is an incredibly tempting promise – but the question is whether it will actually be possible to maintain a balance between the director's intent and the reality of everyday viewing.
Authentic Motion – a new way to move or yet another form of the "soap opera effect"?
The second, even more controversial feature of Dolby Vision 2 is Authentic Motion. Dolby advertises it as "the world's first creative motion control tool," which allows creators to decide scene by scene how the dynamics of the image should look.
Why is this important? For years, most televisions have offered so-called motion smoothing – an artificial smoothing of the image that turns films recorded at 24 fps into something that looks more like 60 fps video. 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 character and adding artifacts.
Dolby claims to have a solution: Authentic Motion is designed 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 preserve the distinctive "stutters" of 24 fps film.
Does it actually work? It's hard to say at this point. Dolby has not yet shown public demonstrations. It's also unknown whether the issue of artifacts, which has plagued all forms of motion smoothing for years, has been eliminated.
What next for Dolby Vision 2 and who will be the first to introduce it?
For now, two things are certain. Firstly, Hisense has announced that it will be the first manufacturer to support Dolby Vision 2 in its new televisions. Secondly, CANAL+ has joined as a content creator, declaring support for the new format in the production process.
Dolby has also announced two variants of the standard:
Dolby Vision 2 – aimed at lower and mid-range televisions,
Dolby Vision 2 Max – for premium models, where differences may include better motion reproduction, higher AI precision, or more advanced image adaptation.
However, technical details remain unclear. Dolby has not yet provided any release dates or full specifications. It is only known that initial 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 the new motion technology is finally expected to resolve the dispute over motion smoothing.
However, what will be a breakthrough for some may be seen as an interference in the art of filmmaking by others. If Dolby truly allows directors to decide on 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.
