HDR10 vs Dolby Vision: what the extra data does
By TechCompare · Updated · How we check
Dolby Vision can tone map each scene for your screen, where HDR10 uses one set of metadata for the whole video. On a bright screen with good contrast the gap is often small. On a dimmer screen the dynamic data helps more.
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HDR10
- What the logo tells you
- Nothing about quality. It's the base signal nearly every HDR screen accepts, so a cheap monitor and a top TV both list it.
- Metadata
- Static: one set for the whole video (SMPTE ST 2086 mastering data, plus MaxCLL and MaxFALL).
- Signal curve
- PQ (SMPTE ST 2084). Each code value stands for a set brightness in nits.
- Bit depth
- 10 bits
- Color primaries
- BT.2020
- Without support
- Not backward compatible with SDR. An SDR screen needs the player to convert it.
- License
- Free to use.
- Who made it
- Announced by the Consumer Technology Association (then the CEA) in August 2015.
- What the screen still needs
- Enough brightness and contrast to show the range the video was mastered for. The screen tone maps whatever it can't reach.
Source: Wikipedia, HDR10
Dolby Vision
- What the logo tells you
- The screen can decode Dolby Vision. Dolby doesn't publish brightness tiers for it.
- Metadata
- Dynamic: per scene or per frame (SMPTE ST 2094-10).
- Signal curve
- PQ (SMPTE ST 2084), with a signal range up to 10,000 nits.
- Bit depth
- Up to 12 bits, depending on the profile
- Color primaries
- BT.2020
- Without support
- Depends on the profile. Some carry an HDR10, SDR or HLG base that other screens can play.
- License
- Licensed by Dolby. Screen and player makers pay to use it.
- Who made it
- Dolby's own format. Dolby announced Dolby Vision 2 on September 2, 2025.
- What the screen still needs
- The same brightness and contrast as any HDR format. A dim screen with Dolby Vision is still a dim screen.
Source: Wikipedia, Dolby Vision
HDR10 and Dolby Vision both use the PQ curve and BT.2020 color, so much of what you see comes from the same kind of signal. Dolby Vision adds dynamic metadata, more bit depth in some profiles and Dolby's own licensing. Here's what each one brings to a monitor or TV.
How this is calculated
The two share a base. Both use PQ (SMPTE ST 2084), with a signal range up to 10,000 nits, and BT.2020 primaries. HDR10 is 10-bit. Dolby Vision goes up to 12 bits in some profiles, which gives finer steps between shades.
The metadata is where they part. HDR10's static metadata describes the whole video once. Dolby Vision adds dynamic metadata per scene or per frame, defined in SMPTE ST 2094-10, so a screen can tone map each scene to its own limits. HDR10+ does the same job with its own metadata.
Dolby Vision comes in profiles, and what happens on a screen without it depends on the profile. Some carry an HDR10, SDR or HLG base that other screens can play. It's licensed: screen and player makers pay Dolby to use it. HDR10 is free. Dolby announced Dolby Vision 2 on September 2, 2025.
Dolby Vision only does anything when the source sends it, like a streaming app or a player, and the screen can decode it. A screen that lists Dolby Vision still needs the brightness and contrast to show HDR well.
Verdict
Pick a screen for its brightness, contrast and dimming first. Dolby Vision on top of a good panel is a plus for movies and shows that use it. Dolby Vision on a dim panel is still a dim panel.
More HDR Label Decoder scenarios
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Can an HDR10 screen play Dolby Vision?
Is 12-bit Dolby Vision visible on a 10-bit monitor?
What is Dolby Vision 2?
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