Best Settings and Tips and Tricks for Apple TV 4K

[piperatthegates]

Hi! I will be setting up the new Apple TV 4K today when I get home from work today. Was supposed to arrive yesterday (the day of release) but it was delayed until today. In fact, I believe UPS just sent me a notification that it's been delivered, unfortunately I'm at work for another 6 hours or so :/

But when I do get home and go to set it up, what advice do you have for setting it up on a
Samsung - 55" Class (54.6" Diag.) - LED - 2160p - Smart - 4K Ultra HD TV

• Model: UN55KU6290FXZA

I'm hearing a lot of talk about non HDR content looking like garbage. Should I go into the settings and adjust the picture every time?

Also, let's talk sound. This is the soundbar I have
Samsung - 2.1-Channel Soundbar System with Wireless Subwoofer and Digital Amplifier - Black

• Model: HW-K360/ZA

Should I go into the settings and select Dolby Digital 5.1 to achieve ideal sound versus leaving it on best available since my soundbar is not 4k?

I'd like for this thread to be a place where we can all share the best information for getting the most out of our Apple TVs.

 

[tconlo1]

I pretty much have the same setup as you, except I have the HW-J650 soundbar and SEK3500u One Connect box added on. I'm using the SEK as a stopgap until I buy a newer HDR+/Dolby Vision/OLED,etc TV, so that I now have HDMI 2 and HDR. I would first suggest using one of those with the new Apple 4k if you can find one for cheap, otherwise you may want to save your money toward a new 4k setup.

 

[digduggler]

On picture - in general you probably want to set it to 4k SDR if you use most apps (HBO, any TV app, Plex, Youtube) and change to 4k HDR when watching known HDR content (which as far as I can tell right now is some Netflix and some iTunes Movies).

 

[piperatthegates]

I wonder if anyone out there is compiling a list of these complaints/issues with the Apple TV 4K to submit to Apple. I'm thinking the BIG main one is the fact that so many have brought up the fact that it won't switch between SDR and HDR by default.

I hope that this is something that can be resolved by a tvOS software update or otherwise it makes me feel kind of ripped off.

 

[digduggler]

I wonder if anyone out there is compiling a list of these complaints/issues with the Apple TV 4K to submit to Apple. I'm thinking the BIG main one is the fact that so many have brought up the fact that it won't switch between SDR and HDR by default.

I hope that this is something that can be resolved by a tvOS software update or otherwise it makes me feel kind of ripped off.

There was really no good choice, other than add an auto-switch config in settings. For most people, if the screen went for a few seconds while switching (which his what it does), they'd complain. For most consumers (think how many people watch pan shows blown up to fit their screens) it was probably the right choice, although it does disappoint the purist (or, if you like, correct crowd.

 

[tomandshell]

Request an auto-switch option for those who want it.

Apple.com/feedback

 

[benji888]

You'll want to have HDMI Color set to on. I don't know that the TV supports HDR10, or if it just gives an HDR "effect", either way, when you get the ATV 4K, go to Settings>Video and Audio>Resolution and you'll see a list of selections, if it is capable of HDR, you should see that in the list amongst the selections. At this time, unfortunately, the ATV does not auto-select depending on content, but will choose 60Hz HDR setting, if available, and keep it there. You may want to change the setting depending on content. I'm not sure if you'll get a choice of 24Hz, but, this works best with most movies (and some TV shows?), if the movie is HDR, choose 24Hz HDR or 60 Hz HDR, if available, 30Hz may cause jitters for 24Hz content. When not viewing HDR content you'll probably get better results switching to a 60Hz SDR setting (24Hz SDR if movie not HDR). This may make more sense when you get the ATV, and play around with the settings.

Currently, only iTunes media and Netflix app are streaming UHD & some HDR titles. As other apps are updated, and when Amazon Prime app comes out later this year, they'll be more choices. Best setting while using other apps, until they are updated, may be 60Hz SDR.

As far as the audio goes, assuming you are connecting your TV audio out via optical cable to the sound bar, I would set the ATV to DD 5.1: Settings>Video and Audio>Surround Sound>Dolby Digital 5.1, this will give your TV a digital source it can pass on to the sound bar, from what I read, (this is the best you can do with optical cable anyway).

The switching issue can be addressed by apple, it is in the software, and, if they do change it, (if), it'll come with a (free) software update. You can choose to have automatic software updates or turn it off if you want to update manually: Settings>System>Software Updates.

 

[piperatthegates]

You'll want to have HDMI Color set to on. I don't know that the TV supports HDR10, or if it just gives an HDR "effect", either way, when you get the ATV 4K, go to Settings>Video and Audio>Resolution and you'll see a list of selections, if it is capable of HDR, you should see that in the list amongst the selections. At this time, unfortunately, the ATV does not auto-select depending on content, but will choose 60Hz HDR setting, if available, and keep it there. You may want to change the setting depending on content. I'm not sure if you'll get a choice of 24Hz, but, this works best with most movies (and some TV shows?), if the movie is HDR, choose 24Hz HDR or 60 Hz HDR, if available, 30Hz may cause jitters for 24Hz content. When not viewing HDR content you'll probably get better results switching to a 60Hz SDR setting (24Hz SDR if movie not HDR). This may make more sense when you get the ATV, and play around with the settings.

Currently, only iTunes media and Netflix app are streaming UHD & some HDR titles. As other apps are updated, and when Amazon Prime app comes out later this year, they'll be more choices. Best setting while using other apps, until they are updated, may be 60Hz SDR.

As far as the audio goes, assuming you are connecting your TV audio out via optical cable to the sound bar, I would set the ATV to DD 5.1: Settings>Video and Audio>Surround Sound>Dolby Digital 5.1, this will give your TV a digital source it can pass on to the sound bar, from what I read, (this is the best you can do with optical cable anyway).

The switching issue can be addressed by apple, it is in the software, and, if they do change it, (if), it'll come with a (free) software update. You can choose to have automatic software updates or turn it off if you want to update manually: Settings>System>Software Updates.

Thank you!! After playing around with it for a few hours now since coming home from work, I’ve found what you’ve said to be 100% true. Any movie tagged 4K HDR is best played in 4K HDR and all other material including movies tagged 4K Dolby Vision and content on apps is best played in 4K SDR.
Spot on about the sound too. Selecting best sound available didn’t create ideal sound levels. But selecting 5.1 definitely resolved that.
And yes here’s to hoping they resolve the switching issue with a software update quickly.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

There was really no good choice, other than add an auto-switch config in settings. For most people, if the screen went for a few seconds while switching (which his what it does), they'd complain. For most consumers (think how many people watch pan shows blown up to fit their screens) it was probably the right choice, although it does disappoint the purist (or, if you like, correct crowd.

Where do the ‘few seconds’ come from? On my LG OLED it is near instant and you get some decent feedback as to why it is happening; i.e. standard, HDR, HLG, Dolby-Vision. Further more each of the HDR modes have their own user settings such that picture can be tuned...Forcing SDR into either HDR or DV is just silly...

 

[luy]

There was really no good choice, other than add an auto-switch config in settings. For most people, if the screen went for a few seconds while switching (which his what it does), they'd complain. For most consumers (think how many people watch pan shows blown up to fit their screens) it was probably the right choice, although it does disappoint the purist (or, if you like, correct crowd.

I always hear that, but I don't think this is an argument at all. The home screen and apps could run in 60hz/50hz and just when u start a video it switches to the correct screen settings. I mean, if u start a video the screen gets black anyway for a short time. I don't think a lot of people would complain, especially when they see running their videos perfectly after that switch.

The ATV5 is just released and look how many people in this forum and others already ask about how to set up their device best possible, because right now its really confusing, particular for people who does not know a lot about frame rates and stuff like that.

 

[cube]

If your TV and sound system have ARC, try to use that instead of optical. Some combinations allow for DD+ this way, and it means one cable and input less.

Although some old combos might be less capable than optical this way.

If your receiver does not place additional restrictions on a video source, it is better to connect them directly via HDMI, not through the TV.

 

[cube]

Thank you!! After playing around with it for a few hours now since coming home from work, I’ve found what you’ve said to be 100% true. Any movie tagged 4K HDR is best played in 4K HDR and all other material including movies tagged 4K Dolby Vision and content on apps is best played in 4K SDR.
Spot on about the sound too. Selecting best sound available didn’t create ideal sound levels. But selecting 5.1 definitely resolved that.
And yes here’s to hoping they resolve the switching issue with a software update quickly.

Then those labels make no sense. DV > HDR.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Thank you!! After playing around with it for a few hours now since coming home from work, I’ve found what you’ve said to be 100% true. Any movie tagged 4K HDR is best played in 4K HDR and all other material including movies tagged 4K Dolby Vision and content on apps is best played in 4K SDR.
Spot on about the sound too. Selecting best sound available didn’t create ideal sound levels. But selecting 5.1 definitely resolved that.
And yes here’s to hoping they resolve the switching issue with a software update quickly.

???? Why would you want to play back Dolby Vision in 4K SDR, surely you'd want it to playback in Dolby Vision Or does your TV not support Dolby Vision? In that case I'd still use a normal HDR mode...