When creating Dolby Vision content for distribution on social media platforms, like Vimeo, there are a range of easy workflows you can use to quickly capture, edit and share spectacular videos. In this series of articles we provide an introduction to the main steps and options available.   

 

However, there are two high-level workflows to consider as a good starting point when looking to create Dolby Vision content. Which of these two workflows to start with will depend on who is commissioning the content you are creating and which platform it will be distributed on. The information on this support site covers both applications so it’s important to understand the difference in the types of files that different distribution platforms require.   

 

Distribution on a major OTT service 

If you’re creating for distribution on a major OTT service like Netflix, Apple TV+ or Disney+ it’s likely that you will be required to deliver a mezzanine file in a format such as IMF. These mezzanine files are generally high-data rate files with little video compression. They are designed to be edited, transcoded and/or processed as part of the delivery process and will not playback directly on consumer devices. However, this series is focused on other applications so if you are being commissioned to create for an OTT service please see Dolby Vision for Movies & Television.

 

Distribution on a social media platform 

However, if you’re creating for distribution on a social media platform such as Vimeo or Bilibili then this series is for you. In this case it’s likely you’ll be delivering an HEVC-encoded Dolby Vision file, such as a Dolby Vision Profile 8.4 file. These files are encoded with substantially more compression than mezzanine formats such as IMF, and they are designed to be played back directly on consumer equipment although they can be further processed if required. 

 

The main steps for creating Dolby Vision for social media 

As you are working in Dolby Vision, there are two key parts you need to create 
 

• An HDR master – this is your hero video that can include a very wide dynamic range and expansive range of colors  

• Dolby Vision metadata – this controls how your HDR master image is adapted to other display devices that potentially have lower peak brightness or different color gamut to that of your HDR master image 

 

When creating Dolby Vision for social media, then the important Dolby Vision metadata is usually created automatically so you can focus on creating the best HDR video. There are three key steps which you will need to change if you usually create content in SDR 

 

• Capture – you need to capture high dynamic range video (e.g. in a log or RAW camera format) or directly in Dolby Vision 

• Edit – you need an editing, and potentially color grading software that supports HDR or Dolby Vision 

• Package, export or share – You’ll need to have an editing, mastering and/or encoding that supports Dolby Vision   

 

When creating Dolby Vision for social media, this can be as simple as capturing, editing and sharing all directly on an iPhone 12, or for more advanced editing, this could be enhanced by using Apple Final Cut Pro and optionally Compressor.

 

Introduction to Dolby Vision for social media

The videos in this series have been created using the workflows described here and are hosted on Vimeo. In order to view these videos in Dolby Vision you will need to be viewing this site using the latest Safari browser and with an up to date operating system on  

• iPhone - iPhone 8 and above 

• iPad - 2nd generation iPad Pro, iPad Air 3rd-generation, iPad mini 5th-generation, and above 

• Mac - Mac portables released in 2018 or later, iMac models released in 2019 or later, and Mac desktops with Pro Display XDR 

 

On other browsers or platforms you will see these videos converted to SDR. Please note also that the screen captures in this video are SDR as the screen capture software does not currently support HDR.   

 

Other articles in this series 

The other articles in this series are focused on the different steps in the workflow.  We’ll be continuing to expand this series so do check back for the latest information. 

 

Capture 

• Capturing Dolby Vision with an Apple iPhone 

• Exporting Dolby Vision videos from an Apple iPhone 
   

Edit 

• Editing Dolby Vision with Apple Final Cut Pro 
   

Package & Share 

• Dolby Vision encoding with Apple Compressor 

• Review and QC a Dolby Vision file  

 

Further Information 

• There’s also lots more information on this site in the Dolby Vision Post-Production section including the Dolby Vision on Vimeo FAQs or you can visit the Forums  

 

• For more information on why consumers are choosing Dolby Vision and on other services and devices that support Dolby Vision see Dolby Vision on dolby.com