Max Offers NBA & NHL In Dolby Vision – But What Is Dolby Vision?

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow on X.
Former editor of 4 TV magazines. Author of TV Dot Com.

TV Answer Man, I am confused. Max now has games with Dolby Vision but you say it’s not 4K. How does Dolby Vision work? If it’s not 4K, how does it make the picture any better? — Charles, Lima, Ohio.

Charles, that’s a great question. Max now offers all live sports, including March Madness, NBA, NHL and MLB games, in Dolby Vision. However, that does not mean the broadcasts will be in 4K. Max is actually adding Dolby Vision to a 108p HD signal.

There’s no doubt that will improve the picture, but how? What is Dolby Vision? How does it work? And how can it be used without 4K, you ask?

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Dolby Vision, which was developed by Dolby Laboratories, can enhance the picture quality using High Dynamic Range (HDR). That provides a wider color gamut and improved brightness and contrast.

However, it’s important to note that Dolby Vision will not work on your TV unless your TV and/or delivery device is Dolby Vision-enabled. (Max also offers games with HDR 10 if you don’t have a Dolby Vision-equipped TV and device. Most videophiles believe Dolby Vision offers a superior picture to HDR 10.) If you’re not sure if your TV or device is DV-enabled, check the manual.

There is a common misconception that Dolby Vision means 4K, but it’s only an HDR technology. 4K is the picture’s resolution. Dolby Vision cannot change the resolution; it can only heighten the colors, contrast and brightness.

Charles, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!

Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.

The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.