Dolby Vision IQ offers new intelligent features that are designed to extend the value of Dolby Vision in all ambient light environments (Light Sense) and Dolby Vision content genres (Automatic Playback Optimization).

This article covers:

• Light Sense and Automatic Playback Optimization
• Content type – L11 metadata
• White point setting
• Dolby Vision IQ content creation
  • L11 metadata in XML version 5.1.0
  • Adding content type metadata
  • Updating existing 4.0.2 XMLs with content type metadata (L11)
  • L11 – backward compatibility
  • Preview the effect of Level 11
• Dolby Vision IQ devices

Light Sense and Automatic Playback Optimization

Dolby Vision IQ introduces new intelligent features for TVs to deliver optimal picture quality, no matter the ambient light environment or content genre. These features are enabled by Dolby Vision dynamic metadata. 

Dolby Vision IQ offers two new features: Light Sense and Automatic Playback Optimization.
 

 

Dolby Vision IQ is not a new version of Dolby Vision, but it is a new set of premium features that enable TV OEMs (original equipment manufacturer) to tier and differentiate their offering. Dolby Vision IQ is a set of new intelligent features that use the TV hardware capabilities to deliver creative intent even with changing lighting conditions of the room and different types of content being played back.  
Dolby Vision IQ serves as a superset of the UHD Alliance’s Film Maker Mode (FMM) which turns off post-processing on the device. By comparison, with Dolby Vision IQ, post-processing and white point levels are controlled if Dolby Vision Level 11 (L11) Metadata is set.
 

Content type – L11 metadata

The content type is selected by creatives to now have more control of the playback settings. The new content type metadata (L11) controls factors such as white point, frame rate, noise reduction and sharpness.
As per December 2020, there are the following content types available:
 

Each of these content types has associated values for frame rate conversion, noise reduction and sharpness.  A brief summary of each of these content type settings follows:

• 0 (“Default”) results in a “legacy” consumer experience on the default picture mode for Dolby Vision or Dolby Vision IQ TVs where a limited amount of post-processing is permitted. If you wish to control the consumer experience you should set a different content type.
• 1 (“Movies”) minimizes post-processing and is recommended for content creators who wish to deliver a consumer experience closest to their original artistic intent. 
• 2 (“Game”) minimizes video gaming latency (input lag). 
• 3 (“Sport”) enables frame rate conversion to reduce consumer artifacts with high motion sports. 
• 4 (“UGC”) enables a range of post-processing which can compensate for content shot using consumer phones which likely do not have the capabilities of commercial cameras. 

White point setting

The white point setting specifies the desired configuration of the display white point. If content was mastered on a D93 set mastering display, the metadata indicates that it should also be viewed on a D93 set display as the content only looks as intended if the consumer TV is also set to D93. The metadata will automatically set the TV to D93 when instructed and revert to D65 otherwise. Dolby provides content creators with a range of intended White Points. These white points will either be directly supported in Dolby Vision IQ TVs – or mapped to commonly supported white point values for TVs. The most typical intended white point values are 0 (D65) and 8 (D93) 

By default, L11 intended white point and content type is set to 0. The ‘default’ setting is the same behavior if L11 metadata is not present.

 

Dolby Vision IQ content creation

Dolby Vision IQ is not a content label. Instead, Dolby Vision IQ represents a new set of features on devices and it will be clearly indicated on devices (usually on the packaging or other marketing materials) that have been tested and confirmed to support Automatic Playback Optimization, Light Sense and other required features.  

The Automatic Playback Optimization (APO) of Dolby Vision IQ mandates Dolby Vision CMv4.0 and at a minimum XML version 5.1.0 that allows the studio to define L11 metadata.

Content type metadata (L11) is added as a flag during the content creation or distribution encoding process by the content originator or distributor. 

The Dolby Vision IQ Light Sense feature will work on all Dolby Vision IQ labeled devices irrespective of the Dolby Vision CM version used. Dolby Vision IQ assumes a mastering surround illumination of 5nits.
 

L11 metadata in XML version 5.1.0

Automatic Picture Optimization (APO) is controlled by L11 metadata, which is supported in v5.1.0 XML. XML version 5.1.0 is supported in the Dolby Vision Professional Tools from version 5.2. upwards.

Adding content type metadata

To set or modify content type metadata (L11), use Metafier from the Dolby Vision Professional Tools from version 5.2 or an updated partner tool that supports L11. See Dolby Vision compatible Color Grading & Packaging Systems for a list of certified partner tools.

To update the content type information using Metafier, run the following command:

./metafier --set-apo <arg1> <arg2> <input.xml>

where,

Updating existing 4.0.2 XMLs with content type metadata (L11)

Version 4.0.2 XMLs will first need to be converted to version 5.1.0 XML. This will automatically add the default (0;0) L11 metadata values in the new XML.

Users can then modify the content type metadata as described above.
Check the Dolby Vision Professional Tools User Manual for more information on how to set and modify L11 metadata.

L11 – backward compatibility

If a device does not have Dolby Vision IQ technology, with the exception of Dolby Vision Gaming, the new L11 content type and intended white point metadata (L11) will be disregarded. The consumer will still get the Dolby Vision experience.  Note that Dolby Vision Gaming is an exception as use of Content Type 2 (“Gaming”) is critical to enable switching to picture settings which minimize video game latency – in a similar manner to that done with Auto Low-Latency Mode (“ALLM”).

Preview the effect of Level 11

A Dolby Vision IQ branded television is required to preview the effect of LEVEL 11 metadata. This can be previewed through the use of HDMI Tunneling in a supporting 3rd party Dolby Vision partner product connected to a Dolby Vision IQ TV or by encoding the mezzanine using an encoder that has updated to version 6.0 of the Dolby Vision Pro Encoder SIDK and playing it back on a Dolby Vision IQ TV.

Partner tools that do not support native HDMI Tunneling but does support L11 metadata will be able to connect to an eCMU running eCMU software version 5.1.0 and preview APO on a Dolby Vision IQ TV.

**The Dolby eCMU was discontinued in early 2024, and there will be no further updates provided for this product.
 

Dolby Vision IQ devices

Dolby Vision IQ is supported in available TV models from LG and Panasonic in their 2020 and newer models with more TV manufacturers and models to come.