Dolby Vision or PQ10 FTW? Very Unexpected Findings!

When toggling between reference mode HDR Video (P3-ST2084) and Apple XDR Display (P3-1600 nits) with brightness set midway on the MacBook Pro M1 Max (2021), we prefer the latter (Dolby Vision) with the few Apple TV+ shows we watched: Ted Lasso (2020-2023), Black Bird (2022) and Bad Sisters (2022-) – improved contrast, a touch brighter, more intense colors – whereas when watching Netflix Sky Rojo (2021-2023), Lupin (2021- ) and A True Gentleman (2024), the differences were more subtle, but we preferred reference mode (no Dolby Vision) to Apple XDR Display (P3-1600 nits). We watched all the programs with our usual man cave setup. We only spent a few minutes comparing, but those are our initial impressions: Dolby Vision looked better for Apple TV+, PQ10 (no static or dynamic metadata) looked best for Netflix.

Concerning using the iPad Pro as a consumer reference display for client review, Dolby writes:

Dolby Vision Playback with Reference Mode
“It’s important to note that Reference Mode disables all Dolby Vision content mapping when enabled. This may lead to inconsistent results when reviewing Dolby Vision encoded streams or files on the iPad Pro compared against other Dolby Vision-enabled devices like TVs (that are actively performing tone mapping). If you’d like to review Dolby Vision tone mapping on your iPad Pro, you should disable reference mode. When reviewing content in a non-reference state, it’s recommended to perceptually match the iPad Pro’s brightness to the reference display used by the colorist via the Brightness slider. For the most accurate results, it’s recommended to perform this adjustment with the colorist in the room. This will help eliminate variations in display backlight technology and screen size, as well as ensuring that the brightness setting on the review device relatively matches the look of the overall project during its creation. It’s important to note that the brightness slider on the iPad Pro does not show a concrete numerical percentage and therefore is a fairly subjective adjustment.”

For remote color grading and reviews, Netflix recommends Dolby Vision over HDR10, writing:

Dolby Vision vs. HDR10:

“Some remote review solutions support HDR10 and some support Dolby Vision. When a consumer device/display is being used for color review and Dolby Vision is an option,  it is recommended to use Dolby Vision. This is because the color accuracy of Dolby Vision will usually be higher (particularly on devices like the iPad Pro), but HDR10 can also provide an approximate HDR experience to continue making progress on an HDR grade.”

iPad Pro and MacBook Pro Reference Modes

Metadata is ignored in reference modes on the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro and there is no tone mapping. In HDR, highlights above 1,000 nits will clip, whereas Apple’s default display mode will apply tone mapping and gamut mapping where necessary.

“Some of the rows in the table above include multiple formats. That’s because the formats listed in the same row should result in the same rendering on a reference display. For example, HDR10 and BT.2100 PQ both use the BT 2020 color primaries, the PQ transfer function, and the BT 2020 YCC matrix as described by the code points 9-16- 9. But HDR10 also includes HDR metadata that can be used to inform tone-mapping. In the iPad’s default display mode, this could result in different renditions of the same content depending on the format. But since Reference Mode does not tone-map, any HDR metadata is ignored and both formats are rendered identically.” – Apple Developer

Netflix in HDR

Netflix published the following for viewing HDR content at home. They make no mention of HDR Video (P3 ST2084).

Netflix supports two High Dynamic Range (HDR) video formats, Dolby Vision and HDR10. If your Mac meets the requirements below, TV shows and movies available in HDR will display the HDR or DV icon next to their description.

To play HDR content on your Mac computer, you need:

• The latest version of the Safari browser
• A compatible Mac model with an HDR-capable display
• macOS Catalina 10.15.4 or later
• If using a cable or adapter, it must support HDR
• The Apple XDR Display preset or High Dynamic Range checkbox turned on in System Preferences > Display 
• The Optimize video streaming while on battery option turned off in System Preferences > Battery