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Module 3.3 – Dolby Vision QC – The Dolby Vision Master

  • Updated

 

Topics covered in this article: 

  • Common Dolby Vision Master delivery formats 
  • Quality Control recommendations 
  • Checking Dolby Vision Masters 

Once the Dolby Vision content has been output, rendered, or exported from the color correction system, the deliverables must be checked and validated before they can be delivered to the studio that owns or commissions the project. 

The most popular ways to deliver a Dolby Vision Master are as follows: 

  • 16bit Tiff image Sequence + Dolby Vision XML 
  • ProRes 4444 XQ QuickTime + Dolby Vision XML 
  • Dolby Vision MXF mezzanine 
  • Dolby Vision IMF mezzanine 

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Hence from a QC (Quality Check/Control) perspective, it is recommended to check all your deliverables before sending them to the studio or the client.  

With Dolby Vision deliverables it is important to check: 

  • The metadata (XML)  
  • The pairing and compatibility of the HDR Master image and the accompanying metadata
  • The mapping of the HDR Master image using the accompanying metadata 

Checking the Dolby Vision Master 

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A Dolby Vision Master can be checked for quality and integrity by using it to generate a mapped deliverable using Dolby Vision mapping and then visually checking the derived version for errors. If the visual check passes without any errors, we can confirm that the source including the image component and the metadata are matched correctly and working properly. If, on the other hand, the derived version exhibits errors or flaws, it can be deduced that one of the source components (image and/or metadata) may require checking and possible correction. 

A Dolby Vision Master can be checked using a mastering solution such as Colorfront Transkoder, MTI Cortex, Marquise MIST, etc.  

For the purposes of this training, we will use Blackmagic Resolve to demonstrate this process. 

 

16bit Tiff Image Sequence + Dolby Vision XML

  1. Create a project in Resolve. 
  2. The project settings of this project must match the source material (image + metadata) that is being tested. 
  3. Load the rendered Tiff image sequence and create a new timeline using this material. 
  4. On the Color page, switch to the Dolby Vision tab and import the XML associated with this image sequence.  

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5. Activate the iCMU mapping using either the dual SDI output from the system (Project Settings > Video Monitoring) or the Enable Tone Mapping Preview option in the Dolby Vision tab.  

6. Select the required target that the iCMU should map to. 

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When checking the Dolby Vision Master, we recommend you check the mapping to at least one target. The recommended targets are: 

100-nit, BT.709, BT.1886, Full 

[To check the SDR deliverable if it is to be derived from the Dolby Vision Master] 

600-nit, P3, D65, ST.2084, Full 

[To verify playback at an HDR/PQ target] 

600-nit, BT.2020, ST.2084, Full 

[To verify playback on a Dolby Vision consumer television which is usually around 600 nits] 

The entire timeline must be played and checked for visual flaws or errors. In the event of an error, the time code must be noted, and the source of the error traced. It is important to note that the error could be caused by the rendered images or the metadata. 

 

ProRes 4444 XQ QuickTime + Dolby Vision XML 

  1. Create a project in Resolve. 
  2. The project settings of this project must match the source material that is being tested. 
  3. Load the ProRes file and create a new timeline using this material. 

Note: For the purposes of Dolby Vision QC and testing, the ProRes file must be full range and must therefore be created specifically as ProRes 4444 XQ full range. While importing this file back into Resolve, you’ll need to go to Clip Attributes on the Media page and flag the clip as Full Range. 

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4. On the Color page, switch to the Dolby Vision tab and import the XML associated with this Prores file. 

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5. Activate the iCMU mapping using either the dual SDI output from the system (Project Settings > Video Monitoring) or the Enable Tone Mapping Preview option in the Dolby Vision tab. 

6. Select the required target that the iCMU should map to. 

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When checking the Dolby Vision Master, we recommend you check the mapping to at least one target. The recommended targets are: 

100-nit, BT.709, BT.1886, Full 

[To check the SDR deliverable if it is to be derived from the Dolby Vision Master] 

600-nit, P3, D65, ST.2084, Full 

[To verify playback at an HDR/PQ target] 

600-nit, BT.2020, ST.2084, Full 

[To verify playback on a Dolby Vision consumer television which is usually around 600 nits] 

The entire timeline must be played and checked for visual flaws or errors. In the event of an error, the time code must be noted, and the source of the error traced. 

 

Dolby Vision IMF/MXF Mezzanine 

  1. Create a project in Resolve. 
  2. The project settings of this project must match the source material that is being tested. 
  3. Load the MXF or IMF mezzanine and create a new timeline using this material.  

We recommend creating the timeline using the Create New Timeline Using Composition Playlist option. This allows more flexibility and control with regard to modifying the IMF or making supplementals. 

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4. On the Color page, the IMF may be played out right away and the HDR/PQ master image can be checked. 

5. To check the IMF with the embedded Dolby Vision metadata, activate Tone Map Using and select the Embedded Metadata option. 

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Resolve will extract the embedded metadata from the IMF and apply it to media on the timeline.  

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6. Activate the iCMU mapping using either the dual SDI output from the system (Project Settings > Video Monitoring) or the Enable Tone Mapping Preview option in the Dolby Vision tab. 

7. Select the required target that the iCMU should map to. 

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When checking the Dolby Vision Master, we recommend checking the mapping to at least one target. The recommended targets are: 

100-nit, BT.709, BT.1886, Full 

[To check the SDR deliverable if it is to be derived from the Dolby Vision Master] 

600-nit, P3, D65, ST.2084, Full 

[To verify playback at an HDR/PQ target] 

600-nit, BT.2020, ST.2084, Full 

[To verify playback on a Dolby Vision consumer television which is usually around 600 nits] 

Using the above methods, a Dolby Vision master can be checked and verified for quality and integrity. Any errors or anomalies that are spotted during the visual QC pass can be traced back to the source image/video or the metadata and rectified. Once such errors are corrected, the Dolby Vision master should be checked again before it is finally delivered to the client.  

 

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