Why Samsung TVs Don‘t Have Dolby Vision: Unraveling the HDR Mystery</h1>

Dolby Vision is a popular HDR (High Dynamic Range) format that offers exceptional image quality with expanded color depth and brightness levels. However, despite being a widely adopted standard, Samsung TVs notably lack support for Dolby Vision. This has left many consumers puzzled, wondering why their Samsung TVs don’t have Dolby Vision. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the reasons behind Samsung’s decision to exclude Dolby Vision from its TV lineup.

The HDR Landscape: A Battle of Standards

The HDR landscape is a competitive one, with multiple HDR formats vying for dominance. Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10+ are the three most prominent contenders, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

• Dolby Vision: Dolby Vision supports 12-bit color depth, allowing for a wider range of colors and smoother transitions. It also utilizes dynamic metadata, which optimizes the image quality scene by scene.
• HDR10: HDR10 is the most basic HDR format, with 10-bit color depth and static metadata. It is widely supported by various devices and content providers.
• HDR10+: HDR10+ is a newer HDR format that combines the advantages of both Dolby Vision and HDR10. It supports 10-bit color depth with dynamic metadata, offering a balance between image quality and compatibility.

Samsung’s Choice: HDR10+ Over Dolby Vision

In 2017, Samsung announced its support for HDR10+ over Dolby Vision. This decision was primarily driven by two factors:

• Licensing Fees: Dolby Vision requires device manufacturers to pay a licensing fee, which can increase the cost of TVs. HDR10+, on the other hand, is royalty-free, making it more cost-effective for Samsung to implement.
• Control Over HDR Ecosystem: By opting for HDR10+, Samsung gained greater control over the HDR ecosystem. The company could develop and implement its own HDR technologies without the need for external licensing.

Technical Differences: HDR10+ vs. Dolby Vision

While both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision offer similar image quality enhancements, there are some technical differences between the two formats:

• Color Depth: Dolby Vision supports 12-bit color depth, while HDR10+ supports 10-bit color depth. This means that Dolby Vision can display a wider range of colors.
• Dynamic Metadata: Dolby Vision uses dynamic metadata, which adjusts the image quality on a scene-by-scene basis. HDR10+ also supports dynamic metadata, but it is not as widely implemented as Dolby Vision’s dynamic metadata.
• Peak Brightness: Dolby Vision supports higher peak brightness levels than HDR10+, resulting in more vivid and lifelike images.

Compatibility Considerations

One of the key factors to consider when choosing an HDR format is compatibility. Dolby Vision has a wider range of content support than HDR10+, including popular streaming services like Netflix and Disney+. However, HDR10+ is supported by a growing number of devices and content providers, including Amazon Prime Video and Samsung’s own TV Plus service.

Which Format is Better?

The choice between HDR10+ and Dolby Vision ultimately depends on individual preferences and priorities. If you prioritize image quality and compatibility with a wide range of content, Dolby Vision is the superior choice. However, if you are looking for a more cost-effective option with greater control over the HDR ecosystem, HDR10+ is a solid alternative.

Samsung’s Commitment to HDR

Despite not supporting Dolby Vision, Samsung remains committed to delivering exceptional HDR experiences through HDR10+. The company has invested heavily in developing its own HDR technologies, such as Quantum HDR and Dynamic HDR10+, which offer impressive image quality enhancements.

The Future of HDR

The HDR landscape is constantly evolving, with new technologies and standards emerging. It is possible that in the future, Samsung may consider adding Dolby Vision support to its TVs. However, for now, the company remains focused on HDR10+ as its primary HDR format.

Common Questions and Answers

1. Why don’t Samsung TVs have Dolby Vision?
Samsung does not have Dolby Vision because it opted for HDR10+ instead. HDR10+ is a royalty-free HDR format that gives Samsung greater control over the HDR ecosystem.

2. Is HDR10+ better than Dolby Vision?
HDR10+ and Dolby Vision offer comparable image quality, with Dolby Vision having a slight edge in color depth and dynamic metadata. However, HDR10+ is more widely supported on Samsung devices and content providers.

3. Can I get Dolby Vision on a Samsung TV?
Currently, Samsung TVs do not support Dolby Vision. However, Samsung may consider adding Dolby Vision support in the future.