Dolby Vision 2 works on 4K Blu-ray players, but Sony won’t update them

Dolby Vision 2 can technically run on existing 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players, but activation requires a firmware update. Sony has already confirmed it won’t provide one for its current models, blocking users from accessing this upgrade.

Technical compatibility, but not automatic

Unlike TVs, which require a dedicated chip to process Dolby Vision 2, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players simply transmit HDR metadata via HDMI. A firmware update is therefore sufficient to enable compatibility, provided the manufacturer develops it.

Dolby Laboratories confirmed this possibility during an interview with company executives. Chris Turkstra and Jonas Klittmark explained that the heavy image processing remains the TV’s responsibility, while the player only needs to correctly route the formatted data.

Sony shuts the door, others stay silent

When asked by the press, Sony responded bluntly: "We do not plan to provide a firmware update to support Dolby Vision 2 on our current range of Blu-ray players." Panasonic and Magnetar, the other major players in the market, have yet to officially respond.

The physical player market has shrunk significantly in recent years, with companies like Oppo exiting the sector as early as 2018. In this context, manufacturers may prioritize new models over investing in updates for already released devices.

What impact for users?

Even without a player update, Dolby Vision 2-compatible TVs can still use the metadata from existing discs, thanks to their improved processing engine. However, native Dolby Vision 2 content (such as that using the Precision Black feature for dark detail) will only be accessible via streaming or future discs, if publishers offer them.

• Current players won’t become obsolete, but their compatibility will depend on manufacturers’ choices.
• Existing 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs will not be retroactively updated to Dolby Vision 2.
• Only new content (streaming or future discs) will fully leverage Dolby Vision 2.

"We do not plan to provide a firmware update to support Dolby Vision 2 on our current range of Blu-ray players." — SonyTranslated from French

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A declining market, strategic choices

Sony hasn’t released a new 4K Blu-ray player in years, and rumors persist that the upcoming PlayStation 6 won’t include a 4K Blu-ray drive. This gradual disengagement could accelerate the end of physical media in favor of streaming, where Dolby Vision 2 is already available on some TVs (such as those from Hisense).

For cinephiles, the choice comes down to an unenviable trade-off: either prioritize Blu-ray’s bitrate quality without Dolby Vision 2, or opt for streaming to enjoy the latest HDR advancements. The ball is now in the manufacturers’ court, but Sony has already made its decision.