Encoding Dolby Vision - Re-encoding (HDR10(+)/DV, HLG) for playback on Fire TV QLED and possibly other TVs

[noblemd00]

Note: WORK IN PROGRESS - Check back often for updates - StaxRip updates may result in changes to settings.

(Edited for my grammatical errors, poor typing, and updated information)
My solution- experimentation - Additional information or corrections from readers welcome.

Updated - 20240313 - StaxRip (v2.36.2+?) Dolby Vision/HDR compatible settings. & HDR Multi Tool update v.2.1.0 (DV Cropping)

### May work for other Dolby Vision TVs (not tested)

Dolby Vision Profile Variants:
8.1: Fallback to HDR10.
8.2: Fallback to SDR (Standard Dynamic Range).
8.4: Fallback to HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma)

1. Fire TV QLED (2023 version - 43 inch and 65 inch) apparently requires MP4 to playback in Dolby Vision (If anyone knows a way to play other containers (see num 2 below) - MKV etc. - reply with example and settings to accomplish DV playback on Fire TV).
2. I use Kodi installed on Fire TV to playback videos from my NAS.
3. When re-encoding for archiving (storage on NAS), I use NVEncC (Nvidia) - H265 (speedy encoding, small file size, and video quality is excellent on 65 inch).

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The settings I use to get Dolby Vision playback on Fire TV QLED...

Update: StaxRip v.2.33(+) should extract HDR10+ and Dolby Vision metadata automatically and insert the RPU/JSON files path/name in the input boxes.

1. Determine the quality/size you want for the re-encoded file - in StaxRip set the appropriate video/audio quality/size settings...
   NOTE: StaxRip v.2.32 (+) requires VBR to be used .

2. Drag-n-drop the file you want to re-encode into the main StaxRip Window and remember to change VUI TRANSFER back to "UNDEFINED" - for a Dolby Vision only and DV/HDR compatible file.

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Updated 20240530
SETTINGS for RE_ENCODING (DoVi, HDR, DV-HDR compatible, and HLG encoded videos).
NOTE: HLG settings can be used to re-encode SDR videos as HLG
BT 2020-12 entries can also be BT 2020-10 and vise-versa

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**** Dolby Vision only
Profile 5 (Green/Purple tint) video,
Video must be re-encoded as MP4 for Dolby Vision to work on Fire TV QLED.
NOTE 1: After Source loaded (if altered) change TRANSFER back to UNDETERMINED.
NOTE 2: NVEncC - VUI Dolby Vision RPU PATH/FILENAME (if blank) may have to be selected manually (click ... ).
NOTE 3: v.2.36+ Options-Video-RPU Conversion Mode should be 0: Parses RPU, rewrites it untouched or Untouched.

Update: StaxRip v.2.36 - Tested several different settings (see picture below) playback in Dolby Vision works properly. v.2.36 (+) StaxRip either ignores the settings or properly uses the settings.

NOTE 4: HDR10 Info File entry should be blank.
NOTE 5: VUI TRANSFER may need changing back to UNDEFINED after Source loaded.

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**** Dolby Vision/HDR compatible (Updated 20240313)
NOTE 1: VUI Transfer must be UNDEFINED for DoVi playback on Fire TV QLED
NOTE 2: Video must be re-encoded as MP4 for Dolby Vision to work on Fire TV QLED.
NOTE 3: Instead of "copy" you can use the HDR10(+) info .json metafile if available (StaxRip v2.32+ should auto-extract .json file).
NOTE 4: After Source loaded VUI TRANSFER (if reset to SMPTE 2084) must be changed to UNDEFINED.

UPDATE: The below settings are the only ones that yield proper brightness with both Dolby Vision playback and HDR(10+) playback Settings other than below result in HDR playback too bright.

Some DV/HDR videos require this change:

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***** HDR10(+) only
These settings give HDR10+ (if the original was HDR10+) - Extract HDR10 metedata.json (or use "copy") and re-encode using these settings (StaxRip v2.32+ should auto-extract .json file).
NOTE 1: HDR10(+) only files can be MKV or MP4.
NOTE 2: Note the Colorrange "Limited" setting.

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All other StaxRip settings are default or as pictured below...

HDR-Multi-Tool-GUI can still be used to manually extract Dolby Vision RPU BIN and HDR JSON file metadata. Parse the Dolby Vision RPU (and HDR Metatdata) files. Save the RPU (and Metadata) files to the StaxRip Source file temp folder.
https://github.com/jlw4049/HDR-Multi-Tool

NOTE 1: Some files require "CROPPED ENCODE" to be checked to get proper size video playback. Always check playback for proper cropping on the Media Server/video program (Kodi, Plex, etc.).
NOTE 2: HDR Multi Toll update 2.1.0 - DV Cropping also requires cropping values to be entered.
NOTE 3: CHECK MARK "CROPPED ENCODE" to ensure aberrant Dolby Vision cropping does not occur.

v.2.1.0

[jessielw]

I'm the author of the UI for the hdr tools. Note there is a newer version written in a completely modern framework here.

https://github.com/jlw4049/HDR-Multi-Tool

Additionally while some of the information is correct above you should be extracting the rpu as profile 8.1. This is the only valid profile to be injected into for playback in mkv/mp4 containers.

[subnrg]

Thanks @jessielw this was super helpful and works well for me except on DV 7.6 profile. I am normally taking a 4K DV remux down to 1080p nvenc 6MB VBR 10bit 4.1 AAC DV 8.1. I can't seem to figure out the magic formula when the source is DV 7.6 however. Any ideas?

[jessielw]

Should still just be 8.1 for the output. Use the tool and it'll work just fine.