Katarzyna Petru
At the IFA 2025 trade show, one of the hottest topics was the official announcement of the new version of Dolby's popular HDR standard. Dolby Vision 2 is set to introduce a range 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 utilize the potential of the new solution, targeting the premium segment and the most demanding users.
Content Intelligence, Precision Black, and Improved Color Mapping
Dolby has revealed that Dolby Vision 2 will feature a completely new Content Intelligence engine, based on artificial intelligence algorithms. Its task is to dynamically adjust the image to the surrounding conditions, primarily the level of lighting in the room. This means that the TV will be able to "intelligently" improve the visibility of details without viewer intervention. Another novelty is Precision Black, a feature designed for better readability of dark scenes—without losing the artistic intent of filmmakers.
There are also enhancements related to motion—scene by scene artifacts are set to be eliminated, which can significantly improve the experience of dynamic shots. Dolby also promises enhanced tone mapping, which will result in more natural colors and more precise brightness.
Hisense as a startup 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 huge 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 is silent
In contrast to the competition, LG has made its position clear. The manufacturer openly announced that it does not plan to implement Dolby Vision 2 in its televisions. Furthermore, it confirmed that the standard is not backward compatible, so updates for older models are excluded. 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 that the company would suddenly change its policy and implement Dolby Vision. Samsung has been focusing on the competing format HDR10+ for years, of which it is one of the main promoters, and is likely now concentrating on preparing an improved version of this standard in response to Dolby Vision 2.
Sony and TCL Suggest Readiness
Somewhat more hope was given 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 reading "Dolby Vision 2.0." This is a clear suggestion that the company is working on implementation.
Sony, on the other hand, confirmed that Dolby remains an "important partner," and discussions 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 a view to a premiere in 2026.
Projectors, smartphones, and physical media – what’s next?
During IFA 2025, questions also arose about other devices. 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 update to the new MediaTek chipset could therefore suffice.
However, the situation looks much worse in the physical media segment. The Blu-ray player market has stalled 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 for the new standard in players. As long as the streaming market dominates, physical hardware manufacturers will not be in a hurry to invest in Dolby Vision 2.
Source: hdtvtest
