Generate Dolby Vision™ Deliverables

A standard Dolby Vision deliverable is the Dolby Vision Metadata delivered as an XML file alongside the HDR graded master.

To export Dolby Vision L2 Metadata (CMv2.9) with an HDR master:

Right-click the sequence and select Export.

The sequence must have an HDR track set as the Primary track, with the Dolby Vision analysis performed on every shot.
In the Export window, navigate to the destination folder.
Select Export > Distribution Package.
Select Format Preset > Autodesk > Dolby Vision > Dolby Vision 2.9 Master (12-bit Apple ProRes 4444).
Click Export.

Once the export is done, you have a package that includes a MOV master and a Dolby Vision XML file.

What you deliver depends on the requirements from your customer (director, producer, studio...). The Distribution Package presets should cover most cases, but as always, you can always amend and create new export presets.

Overall, you can create the following deliverables when working in the context of a Dolby Vision pipeline:

Mezzanine Master
- This is your HDR master used to create derivatives and can be used for archival purposes.
- This deliverable is generated from the PQ Video Track as a 16-bit TIFF or OpenEXR file sequence. Apple ProRes 4444 / XQ (12-bit) format can also be used as a deliverable.
- The accompanying Dolby Vision XML file is also be required to generate low-nit derivatives.
- Use the Autodesk > Dolby Vision Master presets to export this set of deliverables.
HDR/SDR Preview
- This deliverable, often generated as QuickTime ProRes (422/4444), contains the Dolby Vision rendered version of your mastering from your HDR FX track. It can be used without any special hardware and if often used for Preview and Audio finishing work.
- Ensures the exported media file contains the right Colour Space tagging to match the currently selected Target Display.
- Use the Autodesk > Dolby Vision XML presets to export this set of deliverables.
A Dolby Vision XML file
- The XML contains all the Dolby Vision metadata.
- Use the Autodesk > Dolby Vision XML presets to export this set of deliverables.
- You can also export the XML from:
  - The HDR FX, in the Setup menu
  - The HDR Track contextual menu
  - The HDR Batch node, in the Setup menu
Note: A CMv4.0 XML also includes the CMv2.9 converted data. This ensures that applications and services that do not support CMv4.0 can still use the output of your work by falling back on the CMv2.9 data.

Dolby Vision™ XML Export

You export the result of your HDR work in the form of an XML file from:

The HDR FX, in the Setup menu
The HDR Track contextual menu
The HDR Batch node, in the Setup menu

The Dolby Vision XML file contains all the sequence-based data required for final delivery with Dolby PQ master.

Note: To export a valid Dolby Vision XML, there must be HDR FX for every segment in the sequence. If segments do not have matching HDR FX, you get an export error.

The XML contains the following data:

Application and Version
Creation Date
User-defined comment
Sequence Aspect Ratio
Colour Encoding
Dolby Vision version (2.9 or 4.0)
Mastering and Target Displays (Level 0)
Shot-based Image Characteristic (analysis) (Level 1)
Target Display Specific Trims (Level 2)
Offset to Level 1 (Level 3)
Aspect Ratio (Level 5)
Advanced Target Display Specific Trims (Level 8)
Source Content Primaries (Level 9)
Frame based trims animation
Frame-based animation for dissolve transitions
Autodesk products proprietary data (which could be read by Autodesk Flame products only)
- This data in the XML file is written as comments and is ignored by other products.
- Original animated trims keyframes and curve.
- Apply HDR state
- Lock state

Tip: You can export between In/Out marks, like with any other sequence. This is useful when your sequence contains slates and countdowns that do not have an HDR FX applied.

When exporting a Dolby Vision XML file:

The export dialog box provides the ability to export the Dolby Vision of the current shot (HDR FX and Batch node) or all shots of the HDR track (HDR FX and HDR Track contextual menu)
You can add a comment to the XML file, comment that should be visible in third-party applications when they import the XML file.

Warning: If Apply is disabled, exporting a Dolby Vision XML shows the default values and not the defined trims.

Dolby Vision™ XML file Export Warnings and Issues

Invalidated HDR FX: If the HDR segment is yellow, the HDR FX has been invalidated. Warning and location of the problematic segments are seen in the warning dialog box. Fix this by performing a Dolby Vision analysis from the HDR FX.
Content without analysis: An HDR FX requires a valid analysis. Warning and location of the problematic segments are seen in the warning dialog box. Fix this by performing a Dolby Vision analysis from the HDR FX.
Muted and disabled HDR FX: Warning and location of the problematic segments are seen in the warning dialog box. Fix this by unmuting the HDR FX: every segment in the sequence must have an active HDR FX.

Exporting with MediaHub

Use MediaHub to export both media and Dolby Vision XML file using the Distribution Package export type.

The following presets are available for both Dolby Vision 2.9 and 4.0 formats:

Dolby Vision Master (16-bit OpenEXR (Uncompressed) and 24-bit WAVE: Creates Dolby Vision XML and 16-bit OpenEXR (Uncompressed) package of the PQ track with 24-bit multitracks WAVE file.
Dolby Vision Master (16-bit TIFF (Uncompressed) and 24-bit WAVE: Creates Dolby Vision XML and 16-bit Tiff (Uncompressed) package of the PQ track with 24-bit multitracks WAVE file.
Dolby Vision Master (12-bit Apple ProRes 4444): Creates Dolby Vision XML and 12-bit Apple ProRes (4444) package of the PQ track with 24-bit PCM multitracks audio.
Dolby Vision Master (12-bit Apple ProRes 4444XQ): Creates Dolby Vision XML and 12-bit Apple ProRes (4444XQ) package of the PQ track with 24-bit PCM multitracks audio.
Dolby Vision XML: Creates Dolby Vision XML only.
Dolby Vision Preview (12-bit Apple ProRes 4444): Creates Dolby Vision XML and 12-bit Apple ProRes (4444) package of the HDR track with 24-bit PCM multitracks audio.
Dolby Vision Preview (10-bit Apple ProRes 422): Creates Dolby Vision XML and 10-bit Apple ProRes (422) package of the HDR track with 24-bit PCM multitracks audio.

Creating Custom Export Presets

As always, you can create your own export presets if those included with the product do not match your needs.

Note: If you use the Export Between Marks option, make sure the HDR FX data covers to whole span of the sequence between the In/Out marks or you'll get an error message.

Some options are specific to the Dolby Vision distribution package deliverables.

Sequences Options

Format: Set to Dolby Vision XML
Mode: Select the Dolby Vision version of the Content Mapping to use. Note that version 4.0 includes the version 2.9 for backward compatibility. Same as Source uses the version defined in the HDR track.
Composition: The name of the title of the program, which might be different from the actual package name. Tokens can be used to define the composition name.
Comment: Text included in the Dolby Vision XML file in the comment field.
Filename: Use the Pattern Field to define the name of the package. Tokens can be used to define the composition name and folders can be created using the / character.
Export Video Media: Enable to export video media.
- Video Format: Movie or File Sequence
- Media: The source of the media to use for the media export:
- Use HDR Track: Use this option to encode media and render the Dolby Vision tone mapping and trims.
- Use PQ Track: Use this option to encode media without the source media of the HDR FX.
Export Audio Media: Enable to export audio media.
- Audio Format: Movie (only available if Video Format was set to Movie) and audio file
- Media: Use Media With FX: If your sequence contains audio Timeline FX, encoded audio is generated from these FX. If no FX, original media is used.

Movie Options

These options are the same as Movie Export mode.

Video Options

These options are the same as File Sequence mode.

Audio Options

These options are the same as Audio File Export

Clip Options

You can ignore these options for Distribution Package Export formats.

Exporting Movie or File Sequence with HDR FX

You can always export your content as a regular movie or file sequence.

In this case, make sure the Primary track is set on the HDR track, and the HDR FX is set to iCMU. This ensures the exported media files are encoded using the output of the iCMU.

About the Warning: 100-nits Target Display Does Not Exist

If you export a Dolby Vision XML file from a sequence without including a 100-nits target display, you get an error message.

This error message appears because Dolby requires data for an 100-nits Target Display, in addition to other Target Displays.

To fix this, go back to the sequence an perform a Dolby Vision analysis with the 100-nit Target Display selected in the HDR effect. You can then export the Dolby Vision XML file again.

About the Warning: Two Target Displays Have the Same Luminance Value

You cannot export a Dolby Vision XML from a sequence where two Target displays share identical luminance (nit) values. This can happen if you're using custom Target displays. If this happens, you must reset the Dolby Vision Trims for one of these displays, such as example 600-nit, P3-D65 and 600-nit, BT.2020.