Topics covered in this article:
- Common Dolby Vision Master delivery formats
- Exporting Dolby Vision metadata XML
- Exporting TIFFs and Prores
- Exporting IMF Mezzanines
Dolby Vision content can be delivered in a few different ways and this is usually dependent on the request from the studio that owns or commissions the project.
The most popular ways to deliver a Dolby Vision Master are as follows:
- 16-bit Tiff image Sequence + Dolby Vision XML
- ProRes 4444 XQ (.mov) + Dolby Vision XML
- Dolby Vision MXF mezzanine
- Dolby Vision IMF mezzanine
In each case, there will be an HDR PQ image component (Tiff, ProRes, Jpeg2000, etc.) and accompanying Dolby Vision metadata that may be embedded (mxf, etc.) or a sidecar XML.
The Dolby Vision Metadata XML
The Dolby Vision metadata can be exported as an XML file from the color correction system for delivery and downstream processing. On Resolve, there are a few ways to export the XML.
- Export XML from EDIT page
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On the EDIT page, go to the File pull-down menu and select Export AAF, XML. In the browser window that opens, select the destination location where the file should be saved to, name the file, and make sure to select the Dolby Vision XML in the file format options menu. Click Save and the XML will be saved with the selected options.
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- Export XML from Timeline menu on EDIT page
On the EDIT page, right click on the timeline icon that represents the current/working timeline and go to Timelines > Export > Dolby Vision XML.
In the browser window that opens, select the destination location where the file should be saved to, name the file, and make sure to select the Dolby Vision XML in the file format options menu. Click Save and the XML will be saved with the selected options.
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When using Dolby Vision 4.0, Resolve can export both a CMv4.0 XML as well as a CMv2.9 XML. The choice of delivering Dolby Vision metadata rests entirely on the studio or client. Hence although a CMv4.0 XML contains CMv2.9 metadata, a studio may request for a separate CMv2.9 XML as well.
16bit Tiff Image Sequence + Dolby Vision XML
Studios may request for the Dolby Vision Master to be delivered as a 16bit Tiff image sequence along with an XML (metadata). The 16bit Tiff files can be rendered out from the Deliver page in Resolve using the appropriate settings.
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Prores 4444 XQ QuickTime + Dolby Vision XML
Studios may request for the Dolby Vision Master to be delivered as a ProRes file along with a sidecar XML (metadata). The ProRes file can be rendered out from the Deliver page in Resolve using the appropriate settings. It recommended to deliver an HDR Master as a Prores 4444 XQ file.
While setting up the ProRes render, be sure to select the appropriate options and settings as per the requirements of the studio or client.
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Dolby Vision IMF Mezzanine
Many studios request for the Dolby Vision Master to be delivered as an IMF package. An IMF package can be rendered out from the Deliver page in Resolve using the appropriate settings. There are a few presets that can be used to create the IMF. The Generic preset allows the user to customize the IMF creation parameters to meet the requirements of a specific studio or client. One of the other presets like Netflix automatically loads all the required settings and allows the user to generate an IMF that conforms to the Netflix IMF delivery spec.
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