Dolby Vision 2 has started rolling out to its first TVs, and now it could be coming to a 4K Blu-ray player near you. Possibly. Because while the tech can be enabled to work on disc players via a firmware update, it’s up to each individual manufacturer to enact it. And some have already said they won’t.
This emerged from an interview that TechRadar conducted with top bods from Dolby Laboratories.
Once Dolby revealed that its next-gen HDR tech can work on existing players, TechRadar contacted some manufacturers to see if they would be bringing the tech to their players. So far only Sony responded, and that was to say that it wouldn’t play ball.
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A statement from the company reads: “We do not plan to provide a software/firmware update to support Dolby Vision 2 on the current Blu-ray player lineup.”
Given that Sony hasn’t put out a bona fide new Blu-ray player in years (bar a minor update to an existing model last year), and that it’s all but confirmed that the PS6 will lack a 4K Blu-ray drive, effectively killing the 4K Blu-ray format, this doesn’t bode well.
Panasonic and Magnetar hadn’t responded to TechRadar‘s questions.
Dolby Vision 2 only runs on select TVs because it requires certain processors only found in more recent models. But given that a 4K Blu-ray player just has to pass on the encoded data to the TV (which then does the heavy lifting), most players can be made compatible via a firmware update that tells them how to pass the data on. But that’s only if the player’s maker works with Dolby to release said firmware update.
The Dolby Vision 2 data would also have to be encoded on the 4K Blu-ray disc itself, so would only come on new releases. So even if all 4K Blu-ray player manufacturers released firmware updates today, your existing discs wouldn’t suddenly feel the full benefit.
However, providing you’re watching on a Dolby Vision 2-compatible TV, you should still see some improvements from the newer HDR tech, even if your Blu-ray player doesn’t have a firmware update. So Dolby says, anyway.
Dolby Vision 2 brings a new image engine which promises to enhance visual content, a new content recognition system that promises a more authentic image closer to the creator’s intent, and an intensity slider which compensates for contrast lost to viewing angles and reflections.
At the moment, only select Hisense TVs are compatible with the tech, but we would expect it to become more widespread soon. Samsung‘s rival tech, HDR10+ Advanced, is also set to land this month, but only through select Samsung TVs streaming Amazon Prime Video.
MORE:
Dolby Vision 2 vs Dolby Vision 2 Max: what you need to know about Dolby’s next-gen HDR format
Hisense TV owners, listen up! You’re about to get a major Dolby Vision upgrade
HDR10+ Advanced lands this month – here’s how to watch the next-gen HDR standard
