General

• What Dolby Vision support is available on Social Media platforms?
• What is HDR?
• What is Dolby Vision profile 8.4?
• What is Hybrid Log-Gamma or HLG?
• I've read that Dolby Vision is PQ based. Do I need to work in PQ and then convert to HLG?
• What is a color space or color gamut?
• Does Dolby Vision 8.4 also have dynamic metadata? If so, where/how is it created?
• I’ve already created a range of HDR videos which are on Vimeo.  How do I convert them to Dolby Vision?
• Where can I go for further information?

Capture

• Do I need to capture in Dolby Vision in order to deliver Dolby Vision to Social Media?
• Which iPhone models can capture straight to Dolby Vision?
• Which iOS apps can I use to capture to Dolby Vision?
• How can I be sure I'm capturing Dolby Vision on my iPhone?
• Some of my applications require an SDR version from my iPhone 12 captures.  How do I create this?

Edit

• How do I connect my HDR monitor to Final Cut Pro for a better HDR reference preview?
• Do I still need a BMD/AJA transmitter to connect an Apple Pro Display XDR to Final Cut Pro if my computer has a USB-C/Thunderbolt port?
• Do I have to set my timeline/project settings to HLG when creating content for Social Media?
• How do I convert finished PQ footage to HLG within an NLE such as Apple Final Cut Pro?
• How do I convert camera log media (C-Log, V-log, S-log, Log-C, DJI Log, etc.) to Rec 2020 HLG in Final Cut Pro?
• How do I create a Dolby Vision project in Final Cut Pro?
• How do I create a Dolby Vision project in Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve?
• How do I create a Dolby Vision project end-to-end on a mobile device?

Encode & Share

• How do I create a Dolby Vision Profile 8.4 deliverable based on my finished project in Final Cut Pro?
• Encoding Dolby Vision seems to take a long time on my Mac.  Can I speed this up?
• How do I create an HDR10 or SDR deliverable based on my finished Dolby Vision project in Apple Final Cut Pro?
• What type of media file format is accepted by Social Media?
• What will happen if I upload Dolby Vision video onto other video sharing platforms (like YouTube)?
• I'm used to creating Dolby Vision mezzanine files for delivery to an OTT service such as Netflix, can I use the same workflow?

Playback

• What devices support the playback of Dolby Vision content from Vimeo?
• How do I know if I’m viewing content in Dolby Vision?

 

General

What Dolby Vision support is available on Social Media platforms?

Dolby Vision profile 8.4 is the "social media" profile that has been widely used across the globe. Such as Vimeo, Moj in India. Bilibili and Weibo in China.

What is HDR?

While HDR can incorporate a range of enhancements, for Dolby Vision and within these FAQs we are primarily referring to the ability for content to represent a much richer range of colors and much more lifelike contrast, through the use of a color gamut that is wider than Rec. 709 (used for SDR content production) and a transfer function that yields a wider dynamic range than the standard gamma curve (2.4) usually used for SDR production.


 

What is Dolby Vision profile 8.4?

Dolby Vision profiles describe the video codec and set of coding techniques used to encode a Dolby Vision video. Profile 8.4 is a Dolby Vision profile where the 10-bit HDR video essence is encoded using HEVC with a Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) transfer function and is accompanied by dynamic Dolby Vision metadata. This is the format that is used when capturing HDR video on iPhone 12 or when exporting Dolby Vision video from Final Cut Pro or Compressor.

Profile 8.4 is designed for direct distribution and playback on consumer devices (rather than, say, a mezzanine format optimized for OTT encoding). While there's a growing range of consumer devices that support Dolby Vision playback, Profile 8.4 encodes are also built with a cross-compatible HLG base layer, so that if a device does not support Dolby Vision decoding, it can often decode just the HLG base layer, which will present a viewable picture, although decoding just the base layer—without any Dolby Vision metadata—does not take advantage of the sophisticated display mapping available in Dolby Vision displays.

When Dolby Vision profile 8.4 files are played on Vimeo and on a Dolby Vision-capable device, the video player uses the Dolby Vision metadata to ensure that the content is mapped for the current display conditions.

 

 

What is Hybrid Log-Gamma or HLG?

HLG or Hybrid Log-Gamma is an electro-optical transfer function (EOTF) commonly used for HDR video. An EOTF defines the relationship between the specific code values in a video file or bitstream and the brightness/luminance that data value represents on a display. In HLG these values are relative to that of the overall scene whereas with some other transfer functions, such as the Perceptual Quantizer (PQ) they may be absolute to a calibrated display. It is also common to see the terms OETF and EOTF when talking about transfer functions. An Opto-Electronic Transfer Function (OETF) refers to the conversion in a capture device from light on the sensor to a specific data value in the digital video signal, and the reverse process from data value to display is referred to as an Electro-Optical Transfer Function (EOTF). It is also worth noting that in some software and other tools, settings related to the transfer functions may be referred to simply as 'Gamma', given that many transfer functions, especially for SDR video, are based on the gamma curve.

 

 

I've read that Dolby Vision is PQ based. Do I need to work in PQ and then convert to HLG?

Both PQ and HLG are different transfer functions used with HDR video content and Dolby Vision supports both PQ and HLG based transfer functions. Many services that deliver post-produced Dolby Vision content, such as Netflix, Disney Plus and Blu-Ray have chosen to use Dolby Vision formats built around the PQ transfer function. So, it is common to see information that talks about Dolby Vision being PQ-based, as much of the existing documentation and information about creating Dolby Vision content refers to creating for these services, and this information has accrued for a number of years, whereas the first services that deliver HLG-based Dolby Vision launched in 2021.

 

 

What is a color space or color gamut? 

While both refer to a range of colors and are closely related, color space and color gamut refer to different things. Color gamut usually refers to the range of colors that are contained in a piece of content, or the range of colors that a particular device can display, whereas color space refers to the range of colors that a particular video signal or file can support, although the video data within the files usually does not use the complete range that is available. So, when talking about editing or delivering a Dolby Vision video, we are usually talking about the color space and in most cases this color space will be based on ITU-R Recommendation BT.2020 (or Rec. 2020 for short). It is common to see specifications for monitors and other display devices that indicate how much of a particular color space they can display, for example 'supports 99% of DCI-P3' where DCI-P3 is another color space commonly used in HDR video production. This particular sentence would indicate that a monitor is capable of faithfully representing a color gamut that amounts to 99% of what the DCI-P3 color space can contain.


 

Does Dolby Vision 8.4 also have dynamic metadata? If so, where/how is it created?

Yes, like all Dolby Vision profiles dynamic metadata is embedded in every Dolby Vision 8.4 encoded media file. In the main workflows for creating or distributing content for Vimeo, this metadata is automatically computed during the video capture process (for example, in iPhone 12) or by automatically analyzing the video frames prior to the encoding process (for example, in FCP or Compressor). For these common workflows, there are currently no additional user controls for the creation of this metadata, with the exception of the initial choice to include Dolby Vision metadata.


 

I’ve already created a range of HDR videos which are on Vimeo.  How do I convert them to Dolby Vision?

If you’ve got completed HDR videos already then it’s simple to convert these to Dolby Vision. You can load up you project into Apple Final Cut Pro or your HDR master into Apple Compressor and follow the steps covered later in this FAQ to create Dolby Vision versions of your videos.


 

Where can I go for further information?

For more information on why consumers are choosing Dolby Vision and on other services and devices that support Dolby Vision that aren’t covered in this FAQ see Dolby Vision on dolby.com


 

Capture

Do I need to capture in Dolby Vision in order to deliver Dolby Vision to Social Media?

No, it is not required to capture directly in Dolby Vision in the camera, but it is essential to capture good quality HDR footage to be able to create Dolby Vision later in the process. If you are not capturing in HLG and are using another HDR suitable format where a different transfer function or color space is used, such as a camera manufacturer-specific log profile and gamut, then you will need to perform color correction / grading as part of your post-production. 
Capturing in Dolby Vision has a number of benefits, such as an immediate preview of your HDR footage that is optimized for the playback device. However, capturing in any HDR format will mean you have better looking content to work with, and more flexibility for adjustment. You can always export the final content to Dolby Vision, which will leverage the automatic analysis and generation of dynamic metadata. 


 

Which iPhone models can capture straight to Dolby Vision?

All iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models support HDR video capture in Dolby Vision.


 

Which iOS apps can I use to capture to Dolby Vision?

The native iOS Camera app supports Dolby Vision capture and the Dolby Vision capture functionality is also available in iOS APIs, for integration into 3rd-party camera apps. Several third-party apps are available on the App Store (e.g. FiLMiC Pro and ProCam) that now support Dolby Vision capture and offer more manual control of the camera settings.

For more details on how to capture content in Dolby Vision using an Apple iPhone, see this article.


 

How can I be sure I'm capturing Dolby Vision on my iPhone?

If using the native iOS camera app, go to Settings > Camera > Record Video, and make sure 'HDR Video' is toggled on. For third party apps, please refer to their own documentation.


 

Some of my applications require an SDR version from my iPhone 12 captures.  How do I create this?

This functionality is built into iOS on devices that support Dolby Vision capture. An SDR version will usually be created automatically when required or you can use an app such as LumaFusion to create this.


 

Edit

How do I connect my HDR monitor to Final Cut Pro for a better HDR reference preview?

For accurate HDR preview in most workflows it is recommended that external 3rd party hardware be used. AJA, Blackmagic Design and other manufactures have developed a range of commonly used devices that support connecting various monitors to a Final Cut Pro workstation. When using a 3rd-party I/O device, this bypasses the OS color settings and allows direct output from your editing software. As part of the installation it's important to make sure your monitor is set to match the signal that is sent by the editing software or I/O device. For example, make sure the monitor is set to receive Rec. 2020 HLG with the correct white point (D65) and system gamma (1.2 for 1000nit). As with all color critical applications it is important to calibrate your monitor before you start editing or grading your content.


 

Do I still need a BMD/AJA transmitter to connect an Apple Pro Display XDR to Final Cut Pro if my computer has a USB-C/Thunderbolt port?

No, you can connect the Apple Pro Display XDR directly to your Mac in this case. For more information see View HDR video in the Final Cut Pro viewer on the Apple Support website


 

Do I have to set my timeline/project settings to HLG when creating content for Social Media?

No, you can use other options for the timeline/project color space and transfer function. However, if you are not familiar with color management, then setting your working environment to Rec.2020 and HLG is recommended since it will likely match the properties of the footage that you import and/or export. This is particularly recommended if your captures are also in Rec.2020 HLG such as those made on an Apple iPhone 12. If you are already familiar with different project settings and have experience setting up color management for your workflow (e.g., using a color-managed workflow such as ACES) then you can continue to work in that way and convert to Rec.2020 HLG as part of your output settings. But you will also need to consider different monitor settings to those recommended above in order to match your timeline and/or output settings.


 

How do I convert finished PQ footage to HLG within an NLE such as Apple Final Cut Pro?

There are various ways you can achieve this. You can convert your PQ footage to HLG either by using the HDR Tools or the Custom LUT effect in Apple Final Cut Pro. Or, if you are more familiar with color grading apps like Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve, it can be done in Resolve using Resolve Color Management, ACES, a LUT or Color Space Transform.


 

How do I convert camera log media (C-Log, V-log, S-log, Log-C, DJI Log, etc.) to Rec 2020 HLG in Final Cut Pro?

First, make sure the Library is set to 'Wide Gamut HDR', and the project setting is 'Rec. 2020 HDR - HLG'. Then select the log footage you want to manage, go to 'Info > General > Camera LUT', choose an integrated LUT, or import an external LUT that matches to your footage. By doing so, the footage will be converted to Rec. 2020 HLG. 


 

How do I create a Dolby Vision project in Final Cut Pro?

There are various steps to creating a Dolby Vision project in Final Cut Pro, although most of the editing process and options work in the same way as your existing projects.  The key steps to creating in Dolby Vision are

• Set your Library to ‘Rec. 2020 HDR – PQ’
• Import HDR source material, such as Dolby Vision captures from an iPhone 12
• Edit as usual
• Share using a setting that supports Dolby Vision, such as ‘Apple Devices 4K’
  • If using Apple Compressor, ensure that you check the box “Include Dolby Vision 8.4 Metadata” in your video encode settings.

For more details see this article.


 

How do I create a Dolby Vision project in Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve?

From an HDR sequence in Blackmagic Design Resolve, export to a mezzanine format (such as Apple ProRes 422HQ) that supports PQ or HLG based HDR. Import this file into Apple Compressor and use a Dolby Vision 8.4 preset to transcode.


 

How do I create a Dolby Vision project end-to-end on a mobile device?

As well as Dolby Vision capture, iPhone 12 devices can also support Dolby Vision editing. This functionality is also available on recent iPad Pro devices running recent versions of iPadOS.
To edit end-end on an iPhone or iPad you can use iMovie or other selected 3^rd party apps that have added Dolby Vision support such as LumaFusion.


 

Encode & Share

How do I create a Dolby Vision Profile 8.4 deliverable based on my finished project in Final Cut Pro?

Apple macOS Big Sur (11.1) added support for Dolby Vision Profile 8.4 encoding within the OS and this functionality has been added to Apple Final Cut Pro and Apple Compressor. Today these tools are the easiest way to simply encode files for delivery to Vimeo. While there are other ways of encoding Dolby Vision Profile 8.4 files, such as encoding on Amazon Web Services or other selected video transcoding platforms, those services are more complex to set up are mainly targeted for high-volume mass transcoding applications such as those required by video streaming service operators.
To encode within Apple Final Cut Pro, with the project open, choose 'File > Share > Apple Devices 4K'.  Then, in 'Settings > Video Codec' select 'HEVC 10-bit (HLG with Dolby Vision)'.  This is the simplest way to encode a Dolby Vision Profile 8.4 file but for more options and configurability you may want to use Apple Compressor.
For more details on using Apple Compressor with Dolby Vision profile 8.4 files see article.


 

Encoding Dolby Vision seems to take a long time on my Mac.  Can I speed this up?

Yes. Dolby Vision profile 8.4 is encoded using the HEVC codec which while very efficient in terms of data rate is very computationally complex to encode. In order to speed this up you can create custom settings in Apple Compressor. Make sure you have 'Faster (standard quality)' selected as the 'Encoder type' in your Apple Compressor settings. This will use hardware accelerated encoding when available, which is many times faster than the default software encoding. 


 

How do I create an HDR10 or SDR deliverable based on my finished Dolby Vision project in Apple Final Cut Pro?

The easiest way to do this is to send the finished project to Apple Compressor and change the output color space setting. Choose 'File > Send to Compressor > New Batch' and then once Compressor has opened, select the project and open the Settings sidebar. While there are other options, one simple method is to create custom settings within Compressor and in those settings select either Rec. 2020 PQ (for HDR10) or Rec. 709 (for SDR) for the output color space. When preforming these conversions, it is recommended to first check the Job Inspector to verify that the source material has been correctly identified as 'Rec. 2020 HLG'.  


 

What type of media file format is accepted by Social Media platforms?

Taking Vimeo as an example, it accepts .mov .mp4 and .m4v Dolby Vision profile 8.4 files. Further details include:-

• Maximum resolution & frame rate - 3840*2160 60fps
• Bit depth - 10bit
• Encoding - HEVC (a.k.a. H.265)
• HDR format - Dolby Vision profile 8.4
• File format - mp4, mov, m4v

See the Video and audio compression guidelines on the Vimeo Help Center. For the other social media platforms, Please refer to the respective specs of the platform.


 

What will happen if I upload Dolby Vision video onto other video sharing platforms (like YouTube)? 

For platforms that don't support Dolby Vision, a conversion will be conducted in the background either prior to upload or after the uploading process. Some platforms will convert Dolby Vision profile 8.4 to HDR10, others convert to SDR. For more information, please refer to the service provider. 


 

I'm used to creating Dolby Vision mezzanine files for delivery to an OTT service such as Netflix, can I use the same workflow?

The workflows established for delivering content to services such as Apple TV+, Disney+ and Netflix are quite different from those focused on delivering content in Dolby Vision for Vimeo. For most use cases when delivery of a profile 8.4 file is required it is simpler to go back to the HDR master grade, export this to an HLG master, then encode using Apple Final Cut Pro or Apple Compressor directly to Dolby Vision profile 8.4. However, it should be noted that this workflow does not currently support any trim metadata for specific target displays. Any existing trim metadata (as well as shot based analysis metadata) in a project would not be included in the encoded Dolby Vision file.


 

Playback

What devices support the playback of Dolby Vision content from Vimeo?

Playback of Dolby Vision content on Vimeo is supported on the following devices:

• iPhone (iPhone 8 and above),
• iPad (2nd generation iPad Pro 2^nd-generation and later, iPad Air 3^rd-generation, iPad mini 5^th-generation and above)
• Apple TV 4K
• Mac (Mac portables released in 2018 or later, iMac models released in 2019 or later, and Mac desktops with Pro Display XDR.) 

You also need to be running an up-to-date OS such as macOS Big Sur (11.1)


 

How do I know if I’m viewing content in Dolby Vision?

1. Select content that has the Dolby Vision badge to indicate that it has been created in Dolby Vision.
2. Ensure that you are viewing on a Dolby Vision enabled device updated to the latest OS
   1. iPhone 8 and newer
   2. Compatible Mac, using the Safari browser and when viewed on the native display or compatible external HDR monitor
   3. Apple TV 4K
      1. Ensure Apple TV 4K is connected to a television that supports Dolby Vision
      2. Ensure Apple TV 4K video settings are set correctly:

If any of these criteria are not met, content on Vimeo will be viewed in the formats you are receiving today.