Apple TV and Vudu 4K/UHD

[bluejello13]

Hey there. I tried to search and didn’t see any posts or threads that seem to share the issue I’ve been having. I’m hopeful that you folks can give me some direction or advice or (hopefully) a solve.

I have a first gen 4K Sony TV (XBR65X850B). It does not support HDR, but 4K content from my PS4 Pro, Sony UBPX800 and Apple TV all looks great. I’m sure it would look better if it could handle HDR, but the TV is not old enough for me too start to consider replacing. Also it handles 3D really well (IMO) and no new TV does, and with 211 3D Blu-rays I would hate to lose that ability.

ANYWAY... I watch 4K/UHD regularly though the Netflix, Prime Video and iTunes movie apps on my Apple TV. I was very happy when the Vudu app was updated to play 4K/UHD content. My issue is that when I go to settings>playback quality and I change HDX to 4K UHD my UHD movies do not play. I get a black screen with the spinning wheel for forever. The movie never starts. If I skip ahead in the movie sometimes I will get audio but no video. If I go back and change to HDX the movie plays quickly and perfectly. I my Apple TV is connected directly to the TV with a good HDMI cable and directly to my comcast provided modem (that is about a year and a half old, it has AC 1600 for WiFi, but I’m not sure of the exact mode) with an ethernet cable. I’ve tried rebooting the modem and the Apple TV a few times over the months, but that has never made a difference.

I own around 50 UHD titles in Vudu and have not tried every single one. But I’ve spot checked quite a few. I also thought since my TV does not support HDR the Apple TV is having a handshake issue. So I tried Baywatch which says 4K but does not have the HDR logo. Same problem.

Is there any help you can provide? I know I can just watch these in the higher resolution through iTunes movies (thanks Movies Anywhere!!), but we use Vudu so much more. I welcome any solution or explanation you may have. I know I’ve gone on a bit long, but I wanted to try to explain the issue as thoroughly as possible and head off any other questions in advance.

Thank you all so much.

[idlebrain]

What is your video settings? You might have already tried this, Could you try to put it in 4k SDR and Chroma sampling 4.2.0?

[JohnAV]

Turn Match Dynamic Range or Match Frame Rate on or off
Go to Settings > Video and Audio > Match Content, then choose from the following:

• Match Dynamic Range: Turn on to have Apple TV 4K match its output to the original dynamic range of content that you’re watching.
• Match Frame Rate: Turn on to have Apple TV 4K or Apple TV (4th generation) match its refresh rate to the original frame rate of content. This applies to content that's mastered at different frame rates, for example 24fps film-based content or other international content.

If you turn on either of these settings, Apple TV will attempt to automatically determine which dynamic ranges or frame rates your television supports.
If Apple TV can't determine which display formats are available, you need to verify which formats your television can display. To verify a format, go to Settings > Video and Audio > Match Content. Then select a format under Unverified Formats to run a short display test and verify that it displays correctly on your television.

Did you check your settings?



Since your set is only 4K SDR that's the best it can do for match dynamic range.

Running the check cable test should verify its working with the x850B display.

[bluejello13]

Originally Posted by idlebrain

What is your video settings? You might have already tried this, Could you try to put it in 4k SDR and Chroma sampling 4.2.0?

It is set to 4K SDR and 4.2.0 chroma sampling. Not sure what chroma sampling does but that is what it’s set to.

[bluejello13]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Did you check your settings?



Since your set is only 4K SDR that's the best it can do for match dynamic range.

Running the check cable test should verify its working with the x850B display.

I have both setting set to off.

The 4 options I had are 4K HDR 60Hz, 4K HDR 50hz, 4k HDR at 30HZ and 4K HDR at 24Hz. When I perform the test on the first two (60Hz and 50Hz) I get the same error then “it looks like your television doesn’t support 4K HDR at 60Hz” (same with 50Hz). But when I tried the second two it said my tv does support those formats and they disappeared. BUT the tv looked completely grey. Like someone turned the brightness on the tv all the way up.


I thank you very much for your efforts to help.

[bluejello13]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Did you check your settings?

Since your set is only 4K SDR that's the best it can do for match dynamic range.

Running the check cable test should verify its working with the x850B display.

This is how it normally looks at 4K SDR 60Hz


This is 4K HDR 30Hz

[avs commenter]

If you can't get HDR, why is it you want to use Vudu? I would think using Itunes would be just as good

[bluejello13]

Originally Posted by avs commenter

If you can't get HDR, why is it you want to use Vudu? I would think using Itunes would be just as good

The biggest reason is my Vudu account has about 200 more titles in it then my iTunes (and iTunes actually works better as seen by the fact the movies play without issue in that service). Even after the Movies Anywhere merging. I have a lot of Lionsgate and Paramount movies that we watch....somewhat regularly. So it’s just more convenient to use the one app. I can absolutely go back and forth depending on the film, but I’ve put a fair investment into our Vudu library and enjoy the service. This issue has actually been happening for months, and I’m fine with it not working if that’s the end result. But the fact is that this app is supposed to work and should work in the manner I am trying to use it, and I would love to get it completely functional. You know? Thank you though for the inquiry.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by bluejello13

I have both setting set to off.

The 4 options I had are 4K HDR 60Hz, 4K HDR 50hz, 4k HDR at 30HZ and 4K HDR at 24Hz. When I perform the test on the first two (60Hz and 50Hz) I get the same error then “it looks like your television doesn’t support 4K HDR at 60Hz” (same with 50Hz). But when I tried the second two it said my tv does support those formats and they disappeared. BUT the tv looked completely grey. Like someone turned the brightness on the tv all the way up.


I thank you very much for your efforts to help.

With your given display you can use match frame rate, but not dynamic range (leave off). Should have mentioned that. Now if Vudu UHD content still doesn't show and iTunes does, that seems to be a issue with a Vudu settings or how the app works. I don't have a non HDR 4K to test Vudu.

[bluejello13]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

With your given display you can use match frame rate, but not dynamic range (leave off). Should have mentioned that. Now if Vudu UHD content still doesn't show and iTunes does, that seems to be a issue with a Vudu settings or how the app works. I don't have a non HDR 4K to test Vudu.

That’s what I’m starting to think. I tried signing out of the app and back in with no luck.
The only non HDR 4K film I seem to have is Baywatch. But since none of them work I’m wondering what the issue could be. I know Vudu requires at least 11Mbps. I have 146Mbps. Hahahaha

[PaulGo]

The VUDU app on my 850C does not support 4K HDR so I tried sideloading the current VUDU app from APK mirror. It does work and plays 4K HDR content. However on some scenes it is a bit jerky. Hopefully future versions of this app will resolve this.

https://www.apkmirror.com/?post_type...udu+android+tv

[bluejello13]

Originally Posted by PaulGo

The VUDU app on my 850C does not support 4K HDR so I tried sideloading the current VUDU app from APK mirror. It does work and plays 4K HDR content. However on some scenes it is a bit jerky. Hopefully future versions of this app will resolve this.

https://www.apkmirror.com/?post_type...udu+android+tv

Unfortunately the 850b that I have was the last one before they switched to being an android based TV. ☹️

Sincerely though I appreciate every one who has commented and offered assistance on this issue. Genuinely great to be part of such a wonderful community.