This article covers the following frequently asked questions:
 

• What is Dolby Vision?
• What are the Dolby Vision trim controls?
• Can I create content in Dolby Vision without a license?
• How to obtain a Dolby Vision license to unlock the trim controls?
• How much is the Dolby Vision license?
• Where can I get the Dolby Vision Professional Tools?

 

What is Dolby Vision?

Dolby Vision combines high-dynamic-range (HDR) with dynamic metadata to optimize content to any playback device, enabling creators to deliver their creative ideas without compromise - with incredible brightness, contrast, color, and detail. 

With Dolby Vision, creators can take advantage of everything that HDR has to offer – stunning brightness, wider depth of color, improved contrast, and rich details – but with the confidence that what they create on their screen is what will be seen on the screens of their viewers on Dolby Vision enabled devices. 
 

 

What are the Dolby Vision trim controls?

The Dolby Vision trim controls are a set of controls that lets users modify the mapping to other HDR targets as well as an SDR target. This is most commonly used by colorists to create shows for top studios. To unlock the trim controls, you will require a license from Dolby.
Read more about the trim controls here .

 

Can I create content in Dolby Vision without a license?

Absolutely!
Dolby Vision is an integral part of many color grading, editing, mastering and packaging tools. What can you do without a license?*
 

• Add shot-by-shot Dolby Vision automatic metadata to your HDR projects. These three analysis values define how each shot should be tone-mapped based on the device capabilities or target output.
• Internal Content Mapping (iCMU) support with the iCMU for real-time, tone-mapped playback of the automatic dynamic metadata to a specific target like SDR Rec. 709 100 nits or HDR PQ P3/Rec 2020 600 nits. This process emulates mapping on the consumer TV or device.
• Export Dolby Vision XML.
• Export Dolby Vision mezzanine or IMF package.
• Import a Dolby Vision mezzanine or IMF package and map to a target and playback for QC.
• Render out specific deliverables from the Dolby Vision master – like an SDR Rec. 709 file derived from the process.
• Add per frame Dolby Vision metadata to easily convert HDR10 files into Dolby Vision.
• Export a Dolby Vision Profile 8.4 file

*Support may vary per partner tool. Consult with each partner as to the specific features supported and any potential additional costs that may occur. "No license" indicates no additional charge from Dolby.

Some content owners want to make adjustments to the metadata on a shot-by-shot basis using additional "artistic trim controls". Dolby Vision trim controls are available in many systems and requires a license from Dolby.

Get more info on tools supporting Dolby Vision here.

 

How to obtain a Dolby Vision license to unlock the trim controls?

 
The Dolby Vision license unlocks the full artistic trim controls to create an additional layer of metadata in a fast and easy way. The $1,000 perpetual license works on multiple machines in your facility and it activates the full shot-by-shot artistic trims to adjust the mapping. This is most commonly used by colorists to create shows for top studios.
 

You can get a license through the Dolby Professional Store.

 

How much is the Dolby Vision license?

The Dolby Vision mastering and playback perpetual license is $1,000 and works on multiple machines in your facility. A single license will activate the trim controls on all Dolby Vision compatible Color Grading & Packaging Systems in your facility.

If you want to test the Dolby Vision workflow using the trim controls, you can sign up for our Dolby Vision Certified Professional program and receive a temporary evaluation license on request.


 

Where can I get the Dolby Vision Professional Tools?

The Dolby Vision Professional Tools are available on customer.dolby.com at no charge.