Dolby has unveiled its latest innovation, Dolby Vision 2, during the IFA 2025 technology show in Berlin. This comprehensive upgrade to the existing Dolby Vision HDR format aims to enhance the viewing experience by addressing common issues associated with HDR, such as overly dark images. The new technology also improves ambient light detection, allowing for better picture quality across various lighting conditions.
Dolby Vision 2 will feature two versions: a standard edition and a Max edition tailored for high-end televisions. A notable component of the Max version is a feature called Authentic Motion, designed to create a more cinematic feel by controlling motion on a shot-by-shot basis, thus minimizing unwanted judder. This feature was demonstrated at IFA, generating significant interest among industry professionals.
Enhancing Motion Quality in Home Entertainment
The introduction of Authentic Motion is particularly significant due to its focus on improving motion artifacts, a persistent issue even in top-tier televisions. Matt Bolton, a colleague who attended the IFA demonstration, reported that Authentic Motion could effectively reduce motion blur, a frequent complaint among viewers, especially during high-action scenes.
Authentic Motion draws parallels with a similar technology known as TrueCut Motion, developed by Pixelworks. This tool allows filmmakers to adjust frame rates on a scene-by-scene basis, enhancing motion clarity in theaters. TrueCut Motion has been utilized in acclaimed films such as Avatar: The Way of Water, providing a high frame rate experience that reduces judder, particularly in bright projection environments like IMAX theaters.
While TrueCut Motion uses additional frames to achieve its effects, Authentic Motion employs advanced motion processing techniques to achieve similar results. This innovation provides filmmakers with control over motion processing on televisions, enabling them to fine-tune the experience for viewers.
A Bright Future for Dolby Vision 2
Dolby’s long-term vision includes widespread adoption of these technologies in consumer electronics. Currently, Hisense is the only television manufacturer to announce a partnership to integrate Dolby Vision 2 into its upcoming models, expected to launch as early as 2026. Other manufacturers have yet to confirm their support, although discussions are ongoing.
The advancements in brightness, local dimming, and color reproduction in recent televisions have set a high standard for picture quality. As motion handling emerges as the next frontier in television technology, the release of Dolby Vision 2 could pave the way for a new standard in home viewing.
With this latest development, Dolby aims to transform how audiences experience films in their living rooms, potentially eliminating motion artifacts that detract from the cinematic experience. As more manufacturers explore the possibilities of Dolby Vision 2, viewers may soon enjoy a significantly enhanced visual experience in their homes.
