Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Mark200789

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 3, 2015
61
17
Hey, all. I have a Samsung js8500 and an AppleTV 4k. I've got the TV setup correctly as far as I can tell and the ATV is set to HDR 4:2:2. I have two interesting problems that could be the fault of the TV, the ATV, or the streaming source.

First is gradient banding. I've noticed it in the calibration images in the video settings of the ATV as well as in the screen savers and it Netflix's HDR calibration videos. The banding is slightly less worse set to 4:2:0 but is definitely still there. As a 10 bit display in HDR mode, shouldn't there be no banding?

Second problem is crushing of blacks to the point that there is a visible boarder between subtle detail and complete black. So far, I've only been able to produce this during Stranger Things 2. It flickers on and off during the show in the very dark scenes (which is most of the show). There will be detail visible in the dark areas one second and then that detail turns completely black. The shot will change, there will be detail in the shadows again, and then, suddenly, the shadows are crushed black. I turned off all the dynamic black/contrast controls on the TV and it still happened. I only made it go away by setting the ATV to SDR mode. I can't make this happen in other Netflix HDR shows like Better Call Saul and Master of None, but those shows also are never quite as dark as Stranger Things 2 is even at their darkest.
 
I'm not at home, but looking on my phone, i think better call saul and master of none are both 4K, but not HDR/Dolby
all the marvel stuff (daredevil, jessica jones, luke cage, iron fist....) are HDR
so it sounds like an HDR/Dolby problem

you could also check it by using the netflix app on your TV, and seeing how it looks.

I've got the LG oled and i had to enable the 4:2:2 on a port by port basis, the setting was kinda buried, so you might want to check that.

you need a new-ish good quality HDMI cable for HDR.

also....
https://www.reddit.com/r/appletv/comments/71vgj9/helpful_hint_with_new_4k_apple_tv_if_you_own_a/
 
Last edited:
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.