QMS VRR Support Coming to Apple TV 4K to Prevent Blackouts When Changing Content Frame Rate [Updated]

[MacRumors]

Initial reviews of the new Apple TV 4K highlighted that Apple will add support for Quick Media Switching Variable Refresh Rate (QMS VRR) via a software update to tvOS.

QMS VRR prevents momentary blackouts that occur when switching between content playing in different frame rates. As TechCrunch highlights, users who already have the "Match Content" setting for frame rates turned on may already be familiar with this, "since it happens almost any time you start streaming an actual show or movie from most apps." From The Verge's Apple TV 4K review:

The third-gen Apple TV 4K has another bit of future proofing up its sleeve: later this year, a software update will add support for what's known as QMS VRR. This enables compatible TVs to switch between different frame rates without any black screens or noticeable picture interruptions. How many TVs work with QMS VRR, you ask? Well, zero at the moment. But you'll start seeing them hit the market next year; stay tuned for more news about this feature at CES. I've never been that bothered by the short flicker when changing frame rates, but I won't miss it, either.

It is worth noting that QMS VRR does not prevent blackouts when switching between color spaces or HDR content. The new video quality feature is set to be added via a software update to tvOS.

According to YouTuber Andru Edwards, the feature will not come to the second-generation Apple TV 4K, even though that device introduced support for high-framerate HDR content up to 60 fps and HDMI 2.1 last year.

Article Link: QMS VRR Support Coming to Apple TV 4K to Prevent Blackouts When Changing Content Frame Rate [Updated]

 

[infiniteentropy]

I am amused with the idea that a couple seconds' worth of blackness when switching videos is a problem that we as a society decided it's worth it to solve. Ever onward!

 

[chrisherbert]

Supporting 120hz would also clear up the vast majority of the switches, since 30, 60 and 24fps content can be shown without issue at 120.

 

[Ryan H]

Wow... Anyway.

 

[johnmarki]

Since I've upgraded my TV and Home Theatre, this is much needed, and I'm glad Apple is addressing this.

 

[ralph_sws]

this is a feature of hdmi 2.1, not apple tv. tv must support it too. …..which means that apple has not fully implemented hdmi 2.1 and after some time will release a fix

 

[chrono1081]

Ooo wonder if this will fix the issue I've been having for years where certain shows will just got black, only once at first, but then it just keeps going black more and more (same video, nothing has changed) until the TV just goes completely black and I have to reboot it.

It's not my cables, it's either my TV or Apple TV but I'm leaning towards ATV because the built in TV apps don't have this issue.

 

[Somian]

I am amused with the idea that a couple seconds' worth of blackness when switching videos is a problem that we as a society decided it's worth it to solve. Ever onward!

It takes my projector quite some time. Especially when switching to HDR content since it also changes some things mechanically… quite annoying. But it looks like this is not going to fix it.

 

[Jimmdean]

solid add-on. I notice it most when the screensaver is activating/deactivating. This should get rid of some of that.

 

[BeatCrazy]

I don't care if you guys make fun, but this is a feature I may actually use as an excuse to upgrade. I have a strong preference for Match Content/frame rates, and my TV throws up it's default screen saver just when I move between the Home Screen and apps. So I might lose image about 10 times in 2 minutes just bouncing around.

And I do have a TV and 8K HDMI switching that supports QMS. Just needed a source.

 

[mattopotamus]

I am amused with the idea that a couple seconds' worth of blackness when switching videos is a problem that we as a society decided it's worth it to solve. Ever onward!

Personally, it has never bothered me. I use an AVR, so have been conditioned for the black out haha. Physical media does it all of the time when changing from the title sequence to the actual film. The receiver also makes an audible click noise that I tune out.

 

[apparatchik]

this is a feature of hdmi 2.1, not apple tv. tv must support it too. …..which means that apple has not fully implemented hdmi 2.1 and after some time will release a fix

It’s both, no? as every hdmi 2.1 device can support any subset of features if any and still be hdmi 2.1 according to the consortium.

 

[mattopotamus]

It’s both, no? as every hdmi 2.1 device can support any subset of features if any and still be hdmi 2.1 according to the consortium.

Correct, it is a feature of HDMI 2.1 (HDMI 2.1 features such as 4K/120,10 VRR,11 and ALLM)

 

[BeatCrazy]

this is a feature of hdmi 2.1, not apple tv. tv must support it too. …..which means that apple has not fully implemented hdmi 2.1 and after some time will release a fix

Many 'new' HDMI features are optional as part of HDMI 2.1.

 

[fwmireault]

So just to be clear, I would also need to have a TV that supporting QMS VRR? I would like to get rid of this blackout, but I don’t want this to the point of changing my TV solely for that.

Anyway, it’s a nice addition for sure

 

[patsfan83]

This is a huge issue watching stuff on the YouTube app- all the commercial breaks there is a ton of black flashing when going through my AV receiver.

 

[1557750]

I’m more worried about me blacking out.

Couldn’t care less about a couple second blackout on the TV. Maybe I should start rewinding content every time I blink.

 

[ralph_sws]

So just to be clear, I would also need to have a TV that supporting QMS VRR? I would like to get rid of this blackout, but I don’t want this to the point of changing my TV solely for that.

yes, TV must support HDMI 2.1

 

[ralph_sws]

Many 'new' HDMI features are optional as part of HDMI 2.1.

if any options are missing it does not match hdmi 2.1

 

[BSoares]

My wife complains about this all the time. Would be nice to get rid of it but since it needs a new TV as well, I probably won't benefit from this for a long time.

 

[nutmac]

I am amused with the idea that a couple seconds' worth of blackness when switching videos is a problem that we as a society decided it's worth it to solve. Ever onward!

When you are watching ad-supported contents, such as YouTube, mode switching can get very annoying.

Unfortunately, this won't solve dynamic range switching delay (SDR to HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and vice versa). HDMI 2.1a's Source-Based Tone Mapping might eliminate the delay, but there's no indication that 2022 Apple TV 4K will support it.

 

[Telemakhos]

I am amused with the idea that a couple seconds' worth of blackness when switching videos is a problem that we as a society decided it's worth it to solve. Ever onward!

I grew up with analog TV. I flipped a switch, and the TV came on. I turned a dial, and the channel changed instantly. The controls were tactile and the response instant.
I stopped watching TV at some point before the switch to digital TV and smart TVs. I visited some friends who had a TV recently, and the thing's nearly unusable. You have to use one controller to turn on the TV, then turn on the cable box and switch to that remote controller, wait a while for both the TV and cable box to warm up, and then switching channels will take you at least a second per channel. The Apple TV is another remote, and it too has lags and delays. It was too much for me to put up with. The TV user experience has degraded beyond what I'm willing to put up with, and that's not even considering the quality of programming. It's much faster and easier to watch something on my iPad.

 

[ersan191]

Why not just add support for normal VRR that thousands of TVs support already?

 

[WilliApple]

Ok, Im sold. I have this issue all the time with my TV4K 2.
I plan on giving my TV4K 2 to my family. My TV4K2 does not do this for my family's TV.

 

[macduke]

I don’t really care about the blackout itself, I just want a setting where I can select how many seconds to auto pause the content before playing based on how long my blackout is. About 4-5 seconds usually. Simple UX stuff Apple!