Dolby Vision 2 has arrived! List of TVs getting the new HDR standard today
Hisense is first out the blocks with Dolby Vision 2's first arrival
Quick Summary
Dolby Vision 2 will roll out to select Hisense TVs starting today, 6 August 2026, via an over-the-air (OTA) update.
The new HDR (high dynamic range) format will bring immediate benefits to all viewers, including a new 'intensity slider' for universal adjustment.
However, higher-level Dolby Vision 2 Max-authored content – which requires a TV with a light sensor and ample brightness threshold to qualify – isn't expected until the end of the year.
In a sudden and unexpected announcement last September, Dolby revealed that its next-generation HDR (high dynamic range) format, Dolby Vision 2, would be introduced.
I got to check out the new format – which arrives in Dolby Vision 2 and Dolby Vision 2 Max with added benefits for even higher-spec TVs – back in March of this year, courtesy of Philips' TP Vision 'Unboxed' event, where side-by-side demonstrations were presented.
Now, however, Dolby Vision 2 is here for real – and will begin rolling out via an over-the-air (OTA) update to a select handful of TVs. Hisense is first out of the blocks, beating TCL and others to the punch, but it won't be long before other brands also get a Dolby-certified pass.
That said, Dolby Vision 2 Max-authored content – which can take fuller advantage of scene-by-scene metadata for 'Authentic Motion' control – won't be available until sometime towards the end of this year.
Which TVs get Dolby Vision 2 first?
- Hisense UX
- Hisense UR9
- Hisense UR8
- Hisense U7 [USA]
- Hisense U7 Pro [UK/EU]
Interestingly, the Hisense TVs set to receive this update (as listed above) are all of its higher-end models – all of which will deliver Dolby Vision 2 Max, as and when the relevant content arrives.
No additional TV update will be required for Max compatibility, though, as the Dolby Vision 2 'wrapper' will determine which metadata is relevant to any presentation.
What's the immediate benefit of DV2?
- New Imagine Engine
- Content Intelligence
- Intensity control
Amazon)
You needn't worry whether you're watching 'original' Dolby Vision content or 'new' Dolby Vision 2-authored content.
This Dolby Vision 2 update will bring an immediate benefit to all Dolby Vision content, though, with a new imaging engine that delivers "enhanced" experience to visuals.
From contextual understanding of scenes, to punchier colours and greater visible detail, Dolby Vision 2 recalibrates the format.
Yet, for the first time, it puts simple control in users' hands – via the intensity slider feature. You can pick how intense the HDR effect is in real-time, using a software-based control.
What about Dolby Vision 2 Max content?
- Light Sense 2
- Authentic Motion
- Pro Reference Mode
Dolby Vision content doesn't change, per se, rather what your TV can do with it does.
Dolby Vision 2 Max brings everything mentioned above in Dolby Vision 2, but adds three key additional features.
Light Sense 2 handles real-time ambient light feedback for auto-adjusting of what you're watching.
Authentic Motion provides content creators with the ability to apply per-scene motion control into the metadata, preventing unwanted judder for specific moments. Brighter TVs highlight motion issues more keenly than dark ones, hence it being part of the Max feature set.
Lastly there's Pro Reference Mode, which is for high-end users only. This switches off Light Sense and fixed picture quality to match studio-accurate display presentation. It's not something that most will use.
The Hisense TVs listed above are all Dolby Vision 2 Max certified, so will benefit from these features – as and when the relevant content arrives. Just something else to look forward to, late in 2026 through into 2027 and beyond.
