Dolby Vision VS HDR10, Which is Better?

Have you ever wondered why some videos look so much more vibrant and realistic than others? Those stunning effects often come down to the technology called High Dynamic Range (HDR). This innovation has changed how we experience visuals. It makes movies and home videos more immersive. 

In this article, we'll dive into the world of HDR. And compare two popular HDR formats: Dolby Vision VS HDR10. Finally, recommend a tool to easily upgrade videos from SDR to HDR.

What is HDR?

High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology is utilized in video and photography for enhancing brightness levels and color contrast in images by broadening the spectrum, between dark areas effectively improving the visibility of details, in shadows and highlights well as enhancing color vibrancy resulting in a more realistic and vibrant image compared to Standard Dynamic Range (SDR).

Key Features of HDR

• Extended Brightness Range

HDR content is created with a wider brightness range, often up to 1,000 nits or higher. SDR generally peaks at around 100 nits, which is lower than HDR. The brightness range of HDR adds depth and realism, especially in scenes with high contrast.

• Higher Bit Depth

HDR usually has a 10-bit color depth or more, so it can display over a billion colors. In contrast, SDR's standard 8-bit color depth can only show 16.7 million colors. This gives smoother gradients and richer colors without banding.

• Enhanced Color Gamut

HDR can display a wider color spectrum. Thus, its colors appear more realistic and vibrant. It offers richer reds, deeper blues, and more lifelike greens.

Different HDR Formats

Several HDR formats are in use today, each with unique specifications:

• HDR 10: The most common, open standard. It uses static metadata to set a fixed brightness and contrast level for the entire video.
• HDR 10+: It is similar to HDR10, but includes dynamic metadata. HDR10+ can adjust brightness and contrast for each scene.
• Dolby Vision: A proprietary format by Dolby. Dolby Vision supports dynamic metadata and up to 12-bit color depth.
• HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma): HLG is an HDR standard designed for broadcast. It works with both SDR and HDR displays without using metadata.

What is Dolby Vision?

Dolby Vision is a premium HDR format that uses dynamic metadata to adjust brightness, contrast, and color frame by frame for optimal quality. It supports 12-bit color depth (68 billion colors) and peak brightness up to 10,000 nits. Widely supported by high-end TVs, smartphones, streaming platforms, and devices like Apple TV and Xbox, Dolby Vision delivers a vivid, cinematic experience.

What is HDR10?

HDR10 is an open-standard HDR format using static metadata to apply consistent brightness and color settings throughout a video. It supports 10-bit color depth (1 billion colors) and peak brightness up to 1,000 nits. Compatible with most devices and platforms, HDR10 is widely adopted but lacks the frame-by-frame optimization of Dolby Vision.

Dolby Vision vs. HDR10: Key Differences

Dolby Vision vs. HDR10 Comparison Table

Dolby Vision is a high-end HDR format, while HDR10 is a basic, open-source HDR format. When we compare Dolby Vision and HDR10, we typically look at three main things: visual quality, compatibility, and flexibility. Also, you may want to learn the difference between 4k and 8k, have a check.

1. Dynamic Metadata

• Dolby Vision: Uses dynamic metadata, which allows adjustments in brightness and contrast on a frame-by-frame or scene-by-scene basis. This allows for better control over how each scene looks, resulting in more consistent and improved picture quality.
• HDR10: Relies on static metadata, setting brightness and color levels for the entire video, which can sometimes result in less consistent image quality across various scenes, especially in high-contrast content.

2. Color Depth

• Dolby Vision: It supports up to 12-bit color depth, displaying a stunning 68 billion colors for smoother gradients and minimal banding, so transitions between colors look seamless and lifelike. This wider color range gives more life to scenes, especially in content with subtle color transitions.
• HDR10: It’s limited to 10-bit color depth, which still offers over a billion colors and decent gradients. However, it doesn't quite match the smoothness and richness that Dolby Vision provides.

3. Brightness

• Dolby Vision: Can support brightness up to 10,000 nits, though most consumer displays handle around 1,000-4,000 nits. This allows for high peak brightness with greater contrast in capable displays.
• HDR10: Designed for peak brightness up to 1,000 nits. While this still offers strong contrast and brightness over SDR, it may not reach the same highlights and depth as Dolby Vision.

4. Compatibility and Accessibility

• HDR10: Widely adopted and compatible with almost all HDR-capable TVs, Blu-ray players, and streaming devices. As an open standard, it doesn’t require licensing fees, making it accessible across a broad range of devices.
• Dolby Vision: Proprietary format requiring licensing and specific hardware support. Many premium TVs, streaming services, and 4K Blu-rays support it, but it’s not as universally compatible as HDR10.

5. Content Availability

• Dolby Vision: Increasingly popular on streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+ and available in 4K UHD Blu-rays, but fewer titles are available in Dolby Vision than in HDR10.
• HDR10: Since HDR10 is the standard HDR format, almost all HDR content is available in this format, making it compatible with all HDR-capable displays.

Dolby Vision vs. HDR10: Which is Better for You?

• Dolby Vision provides a better picture, especially for high-end content and devices that can fully support it. It delivers more realistic colors, contrast, and depth through adjustments made for each scene.
• HDR10 is a better choice for wider compatibility and works well with most HDR content, especially on devices that don’t support Dolby Vision.

Each item is scored out of five points. The following is a bar chart comparing Dolby Vision VS. HDR10

For professionals, Dolby Vision's dynamic metadata and greater color accuracy are very helpful. If you want maximum compatibility across devices, HDR10 might be a more flexible standard. If possible, providing both formats offers the best of both worlds. Also, recommend you some methods to download HDR video, maybe you're interested in.

Convert Videos to HDR10 and Dolby Vision with AI

UniFab HDR Upconverter AI offers a user-friendly solution for upgrading your videos to HDR10 or Dolby Vision. Leveraging advanced AI technology, it enhances brightness, contrast, and color range to deliver vibrant visuals optimized for HDR-compatible displays. Effortlessly transform SDR videos into stunning HDR quality, ensuring a more immersive viewing experience with just a few clicks.

Key Features of UniFab HDR Upconverter AI

• Pioneering AI Conversion: Seamlessly convert SDR videos into HDR formats with exceptional precision and quality.
• HDR10 & Dolby Vision Support: Unlock top-tier HDR standards for stunningly lifelike visuals.
• Dual Color Space Compatibility: Supports both DCI-P3 and Rec.2020, catering to diverse cinematic and broadcast needs.
• 200% Faster Processing: Optimized for modern hardware, ensuring faster video enhancement without compromising quality.

How to Convert SDR to HDR with UniFab

Conclusion

Dolby Vision offers superior picture quality with dynamic metadata and 12-bit color depth, while HDR10 is widely compatible and provides great visuals with static metadata and 10-bit color depth. For an easy way to upgrade your SDR videos to stunning HDR quality, UniFab HDR Upconverter AI is the ideal solution, enhancing your content to HDR10 or Dolby Vision with just a few clicks.

FAQs

Is Dolby Vision better than 4K Ultra HD?

Dolby Vision enhances color and contrast, while 4K Ultra HD focuses on resolution. They complement each other, but Dolby Vision provides superior visual quality, while 4K improves image clarity. For even better results, you can use UniFab AI Video Enhancer to upscale your content to higher resolutions like 4K or 8K, while enhancing color and contrast, making your videos look stunning on any HDR-compatible display.

Are Dolby Vision and HDR10 backward compatible with non-HDR devices?

Yes, both formats can play on non-HDR devices, but you won't experience the enhanced HDR quality.

Do I need special hardware for Dolby Vision?

Yes, Dolby Vision requires compatible devices, such as TVs, monitors, or streaming devices that support Dolby Vision.

Which format is more commonly used?

HDR10 is more widely supported due to its open standard and lack of licensing fees, whereas Dolby Vision is less common but provides higher-quality visuals.