"I've tried using DVDFab to convert a rip of a 4K Blu-ray in MKV format with Dolby Vision. I converted it to UHD Blu-ray, but the Blu-ray player only detects HDR10. Is there another program that can convert the file and keep the Dolby Vision data?"

This is a common issue when dealing with Dolby Vision content, as many Blu-ray authoring tools fail to retain Dolby Vision metadata correctly. In this guide, we'll explore how Dolby Vision works in different file formats and the best tools available for creating a 4K UHD Blu-ray while preserving Dolby Vision.

Part 1. Introduction to Dolby Vision and Its Profiles

Dolby Vision is a high dynamic range (HDR) format that enhances video content with superior brightness, contrast, and color depth. It provides an immersive viewing experience, particularly in 4K UHD content. Dolby Vision comes in multiple profiles, categorized into two primary forms:

• Single-layer Dolby Vision – Typically found in MP4 and MKV files, it stores Dolby Vision metadata along with the main video stream.
• Dual-layer Dolby Vision – Utilized in UHD Blu-ray (M2TS files), featuring a base layer (BL) for backward compatibility with HDR10 and an enhancement layer (EL) for Dolby Vision-specific improvements.

Understanding the differences between these profiles is crucial when authoring 4K UHD Blu-ray discs or converting existing Dolby Vision files into a Blu-ray format.

Dolby Vision Profiles: Understanding Compatibility Issues

Dolby Vision files come in different profiles, and compatibility varies depending on the playback device and authoring software.

For UHD Blu-ray authoring, only Profile 7 (dual-layer Dolby Vision) is officially supported, while Profile 5 and 8 (single-layer Dolby Vision) require special software like Yuhan 4K UHD Creator.

Challenges in Dolby Vision Blu-ray Authoring

• Profile Conversion Issues – Single-layer Dolby Vision (P5/P8) often needs conversion to a Blu-ray-compatible format.
• Playback Limitations – Some Blu-ray players may not fully support Dolby Vision unless the disc adheres to official UHD Blu-ray standards.
• Metadata Preservation – Ensuring Dolby Vision metadata is retained correctly during conversion.

Part 2. Creating a 4K UHD Blu-ray with Dolby Vision

The process of burning dual-layer Dolby Vision (M2TS) and single-layer Dolby Vision (MKV, MP4) to 4K UHD Blu-ray differs, requiring different approaches for each format.

Creating a 4K UHD Blu-ray with Dual-layer Dolby Vision

Dual-layer Dolby Vision is commonly found in UHD Blu-ray discs. If we want to author a 4K UHD Blu-ray from a dual-layer Dolby Vision source, we need specialized software capable of preserving the dual-layer structure.

Supported Tools for Dual-layer Dolby Vision Authoring

• Yuhan 4K UHD Creator – Supports importing M2TS files containing dual-layer Dolby Vision metadata and converts them into UHD Blu-ray structure while maintaining Dolby Vision compatibility.
• TsMuxer – Can extract and remux Dolby Vision layers into M2TS format but lacks full authoring capabilities.
• DVDFab UHD Creator – Another professional tool capable of handling dual-layer Dolby Vision in UHD Blu-ray authoring.

Creating a 4K UHD Blu-ray from a Single-layer Dolby Vision File (MP4/MKV)

If we have a single-layer Dolby Vision video, typically stored in MP4 or MKV, the authoring options become more limited. Most Blu-ray authoring software does not support single-layer Dolby Vision encoding, making Yuhan 4K UHD Creator the only viable solution.

Unlike other software, Yuhan 4K UHD Creator is capable of processing single-layer Dolby Vision files while ensuring compatibility with UHD Blu-ray specifications. It allows MKV and MP4 files with Dolby Vision Profile 5 or 8 to be converted into Blu-ray structures without losing the Dolby Vision metadata.

Why is Yuhan 4K UHD Creator the Best Choice?

Unlike other software, Yuhan 4K UHD Creator not only handles single-layer Dolby Vision files but also ensures compatibility with UHD Blu-ray specifications. It allows MKV and MP4 files with Dolby Vision Profile 5 or 8 to be converted into Blu-ray structures without losing Dolby Vision metadata. Additionally, it can process dual-layer Dolby Vision (Profile 7 in M2TS format), making it the only complete solution for creating a Dolby Vision-compatible 4K UHD Blu-ray.

Beyond Dolby Vision support, Yuhan 4K UHD Creator also provides advanced features, including:

• Multi-track and multi-subtitle support – Retains multiple audio tracks and subtitle streams.
• High-quality audio preservation – Supports EAC3, TrueHD (Dolby Atmos), DTS HD Master, and Blu-ray PCM audio formats.
• Automatic chapter import – Reads and retains chapter markers from video files while allowing for custom chapter creation.
• Flexible menu design – Offers 30+ built-in 4K UHD Blu-ray menu templates and fully customizable options.
• Scene menu display modes – Supports four layout styles: File (Icon), File (Text), Chapter (Icon), Chapter (Text).
• Highlight customization – Provides three highlight styles: draw a box, draw an underline, or change text color.

Step to Create 4K UHD Blu-ray with Yuhan 4K UHD Creator:

Before we start, we need to download and install Yuhan 4K UHD Creator. If your computer is Windows, you can click the button on the left below to download it. If your computer is Mac, please click the button on the right below to download it.

Step 1: Add Video Files

After launching the software, go to the "4K UHD" tab at the top to begin creating a UHD Blu-ray. Click "Add Video" to import your video file. Yuhan 4K UHD Creator supports Dolby Vision detection, and if the video contains Dolby Vision, it will be indicated on the video entry. Additionally, you can select your preferred audio track and subtitles or add external subtitles as needed.

Step 2: Video Settings (Optional)

Click the "Edit" icon button on the right side of the loaded video to open the video settings window. Here, you can adjust the start and end time of the video and customize chapters as needed. If your video file already includes chapters, Yuhan 4K UHD Creator will automatically import them for seamless playback.

Step 3: Disk menu settings

Click the "Select Menu" button to open the Menu Settings dialog. Here, you can browse the available templates on the right and customize them to your liking. You can set unique background images and music for each menu page, as well as rearrange the layout by dragging menu items to new positions. Double-click any menu item to edit its text or appearance. Additionally, you can remove specific elements from the main menu, such as thumbnails, titles, or the Settings button, for a more tailored experience.

Yuhan 4K UHD Creator also supports four scene display modes: File (Icon), File (Text), Chapter (Icon), and Chapter (Text). Moreover, it offers three highlight modes for menu items: draw a box, underline, or change the text color.

Step 4: Advanced Settings

Yuhan 4K UHD Creator offers advanced settings accessible through the software's settings panel. If your source video contains single-layer Dolby Vision (MKV, MP4), transcoding mode is required—whereas for dual-layer Dolby Vision (M2TS Profile 7), you have the flexibility to choose either transcoding mode or pass-through mode. Additionally, you can enable the "Audio Copy" option to retain lossless audio quality, including formats such as EAC3, TrueHD (Dolby Atmos), DTS-HD Master Audio, and Blu-ray PCM.

Step 5: Output Settings

You can save your UHD Blu-ray as a BDMV folder, ISO image, or burn it directly to a disc. Additionally, you have the option to set the disc label, select the default audio track, and choose the default subtitles to enhance the viewing experience.

Step 6: Start authoring

Click the "Start" button, and Yuhan 4K UHD Creator will begin the process. Since UHD Blu-ray uses 4K HEVC 10-bit encoding, the process is resource-intensive and can take several hours to complete. However, if your computer supports GPU acceleration, the production speed can be significantly increased, reducing the time required by several times.

Part 3. Conclusion

Dolby Vision brings stunning HDR quality to 4K UHD content, but authoring a 4K UHD Blu-ray with Dolby Vision depends on the source file type. If working with a dual-layer Dolby Vision M2TS file, Yuhan 4K UHD Creator, TsMuxer, and DVDFab UHD Creator are viable choices. However, if working with single-layer Dolby Vision (MP4/MKV), only Yuhan 4K UHD Creator can preserve Dolby Vision metadata for Blu-ray authoring.

Understanding Dolby Vision profiles and selecting the right authoring tools ensures the best quality output for 4K UHD Blu-ray projects.

If you want to learn more about Yuhan 4K UHD Creator, please click: https://yuhanmedia.com/uhd-creator

If you want to download and try it for free, please click the button below to download it.

Part 4. FAQs

Is Dolby Vision for gaming better than HDR?

Dolby Vision for gaming provides dynamic metadata, allowing games to adjust brightness, contrast, and colors on a per-frame basis. This results in more accurate and vivid visuals compared to standard HDR10, which uses static metadata and applies the same tone mapping to the entire game. If your display and gaming console (such as Xbox Series X) support Dolby Vision, it can significantly enhance the gaming experience.

Does DVDFab UHD Creator support MKV with Dolby Vision?

DVDFab UHD Creator does not fully support MKV with Dolby Vision. While it can convert MKV files to UHD Blu-ray, it typically removes Dolby Vision metadata or converts the video to HDR10. If preserving Dolby Vision is essential, Yuhan 4K UHD Creator is a better alternative.

Does TsMuxer support MKV with Dolby Vision?

TsMuxer does not support MKV with Dolby Vision. While it can process M2TS files containing Dolby Vision (Profile 7), it does not recognize or retain Dolby Vision metadata from MKV files. If you need to create a Dolby Vision-compatible UHD Blu-ray from MKV, Yuhan 4K UHD Creator is the recommended tool.