Dolby Vision is an HDR framework that helps maintain creative intent from the image seen in the color grading suite all the way to the consumer devices being used to watch Netflix.
In order to be able to achieve this all Netflix Originals delivering in HDR must be mastered in Dolby Vision, and delivered according to our IMF delivery specifications for Dolby Vision packages. From the Dolby Vision IMF package, we derive Dolby Vision, HDR10, and SDR streams for Netflix members to enjoy.
UPDATE: Dolby Vision 4.0 is now supported for delivery to Netflix. Please note that Dolby Vision 4.0 deliveries are not required. Netflix continues to support Dolby Vision 2.9 deliveries.
Dolby Vision 4.0 is widely supported by software applications, including:
Color Grading
- Blackmagic Resolve Studio
- Filmlight Baselight
- Digital Vision World Nucoda
Packaging
- Colorfront Transkoder
- Rohde & Schwarz Clipster
- Blackmagic Resolve Studio
- MTI Film Cortex Enterprise Edition
A complete list of Dolby Vision compatible color grading & packaging systems is available here.
Blackmagic supported the creation of these tutorials to offer guidance in the area of HDR Mastering.
All Dolby Vision 4.0 deliveries require CMVersion [4 1] and Dolby Vision Metadata embedded in the IMF Picture Trackfile.
What is needed:
- Professional HDR monitor
- Meets minimum Dolby Vision specifications
- P3 D65, PQ / ST.2084, ≥1000 cd/m2
- Professional SDR monitor
- Rec.709, BT.1886 / Gamma 2.4, 100 cd/m2
- Color grading software with Dolby Vision support
- A complete list of compatible color grading systems is available here.
- Dolby Vision license, enabling either:
- External Content Mapping Unit (eCMU) hardware (per Dolby specification)
- Internal Content Mapping Unit (iCMU) in software
What to deliver:
- Dolby Vision IMF with embedded metadata
- For a full specification of this delivery, please refer to the Netflix Originals Delivery Specifications article.
- Please ensure that all metadata is accurate, including Color Encoding, Mastering Display, and Aspect Ratio. Please use Dolby's metafier validation to ensure that there are no errors in the metadata prior to delivery.
Who to contact:
- For Dolby Vision licensing, certification, and training, contact Dolby:
- Thomas Graham <tom.graham@dolby.com>
- Ian Lowe <ian.lowe@dolby.com>
- For Netflix workflow and delivery support <pto-tech@netflix.com>
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I get Dolby training and certification?
Yes, Dolby offers worldwide Dolby Vision training for operators including colorists, facility engineers and post houses’ staff. For more information about training and certification please contact Dolby or visit the Dolby website.
Do I grade HDR first? SDR first? Or do both at the same time?
The HDR should be graded first, followed by a Dolby Vision analysis of the HDR image and a shot-by-shot trim pass of the entire program. It is our experience that - generally speaking - you will get the best results out of both the HDR and the SDR grade if you grade the HDR version first and approach that as the 'hero grade’. The end result is a single HDR master with a sidecar metadata file (XML) that includes the analysis and trim pass information.
How should I calibrate my monitor?
It depends on the device and technology of the device. Find here some Color Critical Display Calibration Guidelines. Find here the image calibration configuration for the two main standards used for monitoring digital images.
| HDR Monitoring | SDR Monitoring | |
| Color Gamut | P3 | Rec.709 |
| White Point | D65 | D65 |
| EOTF | PQ / ST.2084 | BT.1886 (2.4 Gamma) |
| Peak white | 1000 / 2000 / 4000 nits (model-dependent) | 100 cd/m2 |
I’m using ACES. Which Output Transform should I use?
Depending on the monitor used, the following ODTs should be used:
- P3-D65 ST.2084 (1,000 nits)
- P3-D65 ST.2084 (4,000 nits)
Can I work in Rec.2020?
We ask that monitors are calibrated to P3-D65 color space, rather than Rec.2020. We understand that monitors can be set to Rec.2020, but this requires a mapping to the monitor’s native primaries, which can vary the results depending on the monitor used. For this reason, we find it most consistent and efficient to calibrate and deliver using the P3-D65 color space, since P3 is currently the largest color gamut that can be reproduced by mastering reference monitors.
CHANGE LOG
11/30/2021
- Added link to Blackmagic tutorial video for setting up a Dolby Vision project.
7/6/2021
- Added link to Dolby support website for a full list of certified software applications
- Aligned section on training and certification with Dolby’s current offerings
TRANSLATIONS