Apple TV picture darkens whilst watching

[InAustralia]

I have an Apple TV 4K, but have been experiencing an occasional issue. Often when watching a show (Netflix, Disney+, Plex), the image will flicker 3 times and then the image shown is noticeably darker than before.

I don't know why this happens. There is no set time after watching when it would happens, no particular shows, no set time, it just seems random.

I did some google searching which suggested tuning off Light sensitivity or Dim Flashing Lights (but these settings were already turned off). I have reviewed my TV and it is not any settings on the TV as the darkening of the screen is only when watching something via the AppleTV.

Any thoughts or suggestions on why the ATV does this or what could be the cause?

 

[aperfectcircle]

Is this happening for all content or is it possibly just Dolby Vision content? What brand of TV are you using? If it’s just Dolby Vision and you’re using a Sony TV, this is a long standing bug where DV on Sony via Apple TV is dark compared to watching the same DV content through native apps on the Sony.

 

[InAustralia]

Is this happening for all content or is it possibly just Dolby Vision content? What brand of TV are you using? If it’s just Dolby Vision and you’re using a Sony TV, this is a long standing bug where DV on Sony via Apple TV is dark compared to watching the same DV content through native apps on the Sony.

I have a Samsung 55" Smart TV (can't recall the model number). The issue happens watching any content (not just Dolby Vision).

 

[aperfectcircle]

I have a Samsung 55" Smart TV (can't recall the model number). The issue happens watching any content (not just Dolby Vision).

Hmm how have you set the display options on the Apple TV? The general rule is to set the Apple TV to 4K SDR then turn on both match content and match frame rate, that way the Apple TV will output to match the content you’re watching.

You could try setting the Apple TV to 4K SDR and then have content and frame rate matching off - that will force SDR output and at least allow you to see if the issue still occurs which would then suggest its possibly an issue with HDR output.

 

[InAustralia]

Hmm how have you set the display options on the Apple TV? The general rule is to set the Apple TV to 4K SDR then turn on both match content and match frame rate, that way the Apple TV will output to match the content you’re watching.

You could try setting the Apple TV to 4K SDR and then have content and frame rate matching off - that will force SDR output and at least allow you to see if the issue still occurs which would then suggest its possibly an issue with HDR output.

Thanks for the assistance, I currently use 4K HDR and already had content and frame rate matching turned off, but I will switch to SDR and see if that does anything.

 

[-Gonzo-]

I have a Samsung 55" Smart TV (can't recall the model number). The issue happens watching any content (not just Dolby Vision).

Well it’s definitely not a Dolby Vision issue then as Samsung doesn’t support it.

 

[Audit13]

Could it be that the TV is slightly darkening the picture because it isn't detecting any motion on screen?

I have an old LG C7 OLED TV. After watching a very dark/low-light show such as Haunting of Hill House on Netflix for about 15 minutes with my AppleTV, my LG would darken the picture to prevent burn-in. I had to go into the LG's service menu to disable this feature.

 

[InAustralia]

Could it be that the TV is slightly darkening the picture because it isn't detecting any motion on screen?

I have an old LG C7 OLED TV. After watching a very dark/low-light show such as Haunting of Hill House on Netflix for about 15 minutes with my AppleTV, my LG would darken the picture to prevent burn-in. I had to go into the LG's service menu to disable this feature.

I don't think it is the TV. It's pretty new and the darkening issue only happens when watching content via the ATV. If I am watching free to air TV, a Blu-Ray, using the PS5 etc it does not happen. The darkening of the the picture also is not limited to dark/low light scenes. It happens even if I am watching is bright.

 

[-Gonzo-]

I don't think it is the TV.

It probably is the TV though

 

[InAustralia]

It probably is the TV though

It’s not. The TV is not an OLED TV, and the issue only happens whilst watching via the ATV. Watching anything else (not via the ATV) and the issue does not occur.

I have switched to using my Amazon FireStick (which is what I take with me when I go on trips), and the dimming of theTV screen does not occur whilst using the FIreStick so it definitely seems to be the ATV.