Apple TV 4K with Denon AVR-X2500H

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Apple TV 4K with Denon AVR-X2500H

I am unable to enable Dolby Vision after connecting Apple TV 4K to a Denon amp (above mentioned). 4K SDR is supported but not Dolby Vision or Ultra HD. I have used faster cables as well, but to no avail.

When connecting directly to the TV Dolby Vision works. Currently I have connected Apple TV 4K directly to TV and am using ARC to get sound through Denon. Ideally however I would prefer to just go through the Denon especially when the specs of the Denon and it’s manuals say Dolby Vision is supported.

I have seen a post with several answers (dt. 2017) where ultimately no one could resolve anything and the connection was done just as I have done now, that is, directly to TV.

I an am curious to know after two years approx does this issue have a resolution? Is it at all possible to connect via Denon and get Dolby Vision 60 Hz?

According to a Denon tech response to similar issue, to achieve this, HDMI cables of at least 6 GBPS throughput should be used. I have tried using 18 and 48 but these didn’t work. That article specifically mentioned a 48 GBPS offering from Belkin. Is Apple TV 4K that choosy?

Any success stories here? I would love to know. Please help.

Apple TV 4K

Posted on Sep 4, 2019 1:05 PM

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Answer 1

Urquhart1244

Level 10

146,532 points

Sep 4, 2019 10:08 PM in response to CyberShoggy

Can you provide a link to that mentioned previous 2017 post?

Don’t focus too hard on the 60 Hz, as movie and TV content will be 24/25/30 Hz (fps).

That article specifically mentioned a 48 GBPS offering from Belkin.

The 48 Gbps HDMI cables adhere to the newly HDMI 2.1 standard. Apple TV 4K has an HDMI 2.0 port, and your Denon has HDMI 2.0 ports, so that the 18 Gbps HDMI cables are good for every conceivable signal that these ports may send through the cables. Belkin makes fine cables, but getting 48 Gbps cables will be future-proofing for equipment that people don’t have yet.

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Answer 2

CyberShoggy Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 5, 2019 7:12 AM in response to Urquhart1244

Thanks. Yes I think I understand what you're saying. I have been chasing 60 Hz with 4:2:2 and it didn't work out with any of the cables I tried. In fact I have also tried HDMI over fibre. In your experience, would 48 GBPS cables be enough to achieve 60 Hz Dolby Vision through Denon Amp? According to the specs, this amp supports HDCP 2.2.

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Answer 3

CyberShoggy Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 5, 2019 11:14 PM in response to Urquhart1244

Thank you very much indeed for the information and the clarification. Really appreciate it!

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Answer 4

CyberShoggy Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 5, 2019 2:40 AM in response to Urquhart1244

Hi! thanks so much for your helpful input. I tried looking for it again but ... couldn't find it for some reason! I did find the Denon customer support page (https://denon.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/6011/~/tv-not-supporting-4k-hdr-signal-from-apple-tv). This speaks of min. 6 GBPS speed required for Dolby Vision. And yet with 18GBPS cables Apple TV 4K couldn't set Dolby Vision when connected to the AVR instead of the TV.

Noted your comment on the 30Hz vs. 60Hz. The reason I was focusing on it is because when Apple TV asked (when switched on after connecting to the new AVR for the first time) if it should try Dolby Vision, it was trying to achieve 60 Hz and didn't try 30 when that failed. In fact it never tries 30 on its own - that must be done manually. I suppose that's what makes me think of non 60 Hz options as being "improper" :) .

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Answer 5

Urquhart1244

Level 10

146,532 points

Sep 5, 2019 3:32 AM in response to CyberShoggy

This speaks of min. 6 GBPS speed required for Dolby Vision.

That is indeed correct. You could get 4K Dolby Vision at 30 Hz and 4:2:0 chroma, using 4.63 Gbps of video data, which is between 3 and 6 Gbps. So if you do not set all your settings to maximum, you could even get by with a 10 Gbps (8.16 usable) rated cable (there are no 6 Gbps cables). Which is exactly the issue: if it depends on (minimal) settings, a lot of users get issues. Hence the advise for a good 18 Gbps cable.

If you tried differently rated cables, then the issue may lie elsewhere. Possibly the HDMI ports in use on your TV and/or AV receiver need configuration for 4K/HDR/HDCP/enhanced mode/high bandwidth use?

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Answer 6

Urquhart1244

Level 10

146,532 points

Sep 5, 2019 4:26 PM in response to CyberShoggy

Would 48 GBPS cables be enough to achieve 60 Hz Dolby Vision through Denon Amp?

Both the Apple TV and the Denon have HDMI 2.0 ports, and that HDMI 2.0 specification sets a maximum data rate of just under 18 Gbps. 48 Gbps will be more than enough.

According to the specs, this amp supports HDCP 2.2.

HDCP 2.2 is encrypted copy protection for HDMI 2.0 ports, and a requirement for commercial 4K content. It is not of influence for selecting a Dolby Vision option.

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Apple TV 4K with Denon AVR-X2500H

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