What we discovered about Dolby Vision 2 at CES 2026.

What we discovered about Dolby Vision 2 at CES 2026.

      In today's episode of You Asked, we uncovered a wealth of information about Dolby Vision 2, prompting us to dedicate the entire episode to it. We'll cover TV model availability, including some models you might already own, the misconceptions we had prior to this discussion, and provide a comparison between the original Dolby Vision and the new format. You will be amazed. Additionally, I apologize in advance for how frequently I will mention the term Dolby Vision.

      My Experience with Dolby at CES 2026

      The experience with Dolby at CES 2026 was fantastic. It was my first opportunity to experience Dolby Atmos in a vehicle—specifically, several high-end vehicles—and it was truly amazing. Elton John's "Rocket Man" and Pink Floyd's "Money" showcased what immersive audio can achieve perfectly.

      Chris Hagan / Digital Trends

      However, what sparked my curiosity, as well as that of many others who had the chance to interact with Dolby's engineers and the innovators behind the technology, was Dolby Vision 2 and what additional insights we could gain as it approaches its rollout in 2026.

      Initially, we learned a bit more about it upon its announcement, but, naturally, we wanted to delve deeper, especially regarding its functionality and how it would improve upon an already impressive HDR format.

      How much better is Dolby Vision 2?

      In a word, significantly. During our meeting with Dolby, we witnessed this difference across various TV quality levels. While we weren't provided with specific model names, the first TV was a 100-inch premium model with approximately 5,000 dimming zones and, if I recall correctly, around 5,000 nits of brightness. It was stunning, making it no surprise that Dolby Vision 2 appeared remarkable.

      Chris Hagan / Digital Trends

      Next, we were shown two identical models priced around $700, which places them in the mid to high range of TVs. The display on the left featured Dolby Vision while the one on the right displayed the same content in Dolby Vision 2. It was easy to see the difference in person. The color had more vibrancy and depth. I hesitate to use the term saturation because it suggests over-processing; this was not that. It simply appeared more realistic, especially when watching sports. Greens and skin tones were particularly striking.

      Chris Hagan / Digital Trends

      Even gaming experienced marked improvements.

      The Surprising Impact on Budget TVs

      What truly amazed me was the contrast between Dolby Vision and Dolby Vision 2 on budget TVs. These were televisions costing two to three hundred dollars that typically lack full-array local dimming and are often overlooked as they don't seem to compete with Mini LED models in specifications or performance.

      With Dolby Vision 2, if I hadn't specified that these were budget TVs, you likely wouldn't be able to tell the difference. When placed side by side with a TV showcasing standard Dolby Vision content, the distinction was impressive.

      A lower-tier TV that can support Dolby Vision 2 content suddenly becomes a much more appealing option for consumers seeking great picture quality on a budget. Although access to Dolby Vision 2 might require subscribing to specific streaming services or premium tiers, the outcome is that high-quality HDR content becomes more accessible. This is a significant advantage for consumers.

      Understanding Content Intelligence

      The next topic is Content Intelligence. What does it actually mean, and is it a form of AI?

      The straightforward answer is no. In fact, it's somewhat the opposite of artificial intelligence, which is something I initially misunderstood. As a creator, my instincts trigger whenever I encounter anything that resembles AI, and I need to temper that reaction.

      Content Intelligence seems more like a collaboration with the creator. Dolby defines their work as an ecosystem, rather than merely output formats for audio and video. They collaborate with studios, filmmakers, editors, and creators spanning film, TV, and music.

      Chris Hagan / Digital Trends

      Dolby Vision 2 allows for the use of much greater metadata with content. I prefer to view this as an improved means for the director, cinematographer, and editor to convey their intentions. The creator has a clear vision of how the final product should appear, while viewers may be experiencing it on a wide variety of TV models.

      With Dolby Vision 2, creators can transmit additional details such as highlight and shadow detail alongside the content. On the TV side, this data can be interpreted and adapted based on the specific model and panel. The creator defines the desired appearance of the film, and the TV can more effectively translate it while preserving that look.

      Motion, Judder, and Creator Intent

      This same concept applies to motion smoothing and judder reduction, which Dolby refers to as Authentic Motion. Scenes are evaluated to determine what may induce unwanted judder, and the amount of correction can vary in real-time. From what we observed, this avoids the soap opera effect and unnecessary smoothing, applying corrections solely when necessary.

      This naturally raises a question: if Dolby Vision 2 and the creator are in charge of these adjustments,

What we discovered about Dolby Vision 2 at CES 2026. What we discovered about Dolby Vision 2 at CES 2026. What we discovered about Dolby Vision 2 at CES 2026. What we discovered about Dolby Vision 2 at CES 2026. What we discovered about Dolby Vision 2 at CES 2026.

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What we discovered about Dolby Vision 2 at CES 2026.

Dolby Vision 2 provides a considerable improvement in picture quality, offering more realistic colors, enhanced motion handling, and visuals as intended by creators across a range of televisions, from high-end models to unexpectedly budget-friendly options.