Apple TV 4K (2021) in 8-bit Colour not 10-bit? What's the go?

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Apple TV 4K (2021) in 8-bit Colour not 10-bit? What's the go?

What does the new (2nd Gen) Apple TV 4K only produce 8-bit colour and not 10?

I have an LG CX OLED with HDMI 2.1 ports & I use 8k HDMI cables. For some reason, the new Apple TV 4K, (with its HMDI 2.1 ports as well) is not producing the high end colour depth I would expect.

When I click repeatably on the little green button on my LG remote it brings up the FreeSync information with a live readout of frame rates, colour depth and resolution. This is where I am seeing the 8-bit.

I know it is not my set-up because I also have the X box Series X and that plays at 4k 120hz in10-bit. I called the apple support line today and they had not idea and said it was the first time anyone has ever asked this question.

Does anyone know what is happening here? Thanks :)

Apple TV 4K

Posted on Jun 10, 2021 11:13 PM

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Answer 1

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Urquhart1244

Level 10

148,006 points

Jun 11, 2021 3:03 AM in response to TheUpperEnd

Did you set the Apple TV video format to HDR/Dolby Vision? If not, then it is set to SDR, which is 8 bit. Verify that.

About 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision on your Apple TV 4K - Apple Support

Of course, the content needs to support HDR as well for a true HDR experience.

If you have any HDMI devices in between that do not support HDR passthrough, then that may limit availability as well.

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Answer 2

Urquhart1244

Level 10

148,006 points

Jun 15, 2021 12:15 AM in response to TheUpperEnd

If Apple TV sends HDR or Dolby Vision content, then it has detected that capability on the TV. And that requires 10 bit. That isn’t done on 8 bit.

My thought is that Apple has not realised this (10bit colour) to the market?

No, that is not it.

I would question the validity of the FreeSync information, or other TV settings, as HDR video in this sense has to be 10 or 12 bit.

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Answer 3

TheUpperEnd Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 15, 2021 12:43 AM in response to Urquhart1244

I think you are spot on. I found this video from a reputable source who explains it as you do.

Go to 9m 20sec

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3fH-v9NwKQ&t=600s

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Answer 4

TheUpperEnd Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 15, 2021 4:11 PM in response to lkrupp

Yeah this guy from the HDTV Test channel is a smarty pants....has overwhelming knowledge lol

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Answer 5

TheUpperEnd Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 14, 2021 2:50 AM in response to Urquhart1244

Hi, the ATV is set to 4k SDR but with matching on for frame rate and content. My TV displays a Dolby Vision logo when it is playing Dolby content so I know it is switching into the correct format. I have verifed this further by looking at the TV's display settings.

I did force the ATV into HRD Dolby Vision and played the content again as a test but it is still displaying at 8bit.

My set up in pretty simple, ATV to 8k HMDI Cable to LG CX Oled TV.

I did make sure to play content in the Apple TV+ steaming service that read as Atmos and Dolby....no luck still 8bit.

Any idea what is happening? My thought is that Apple has not realised this (10bit colour) to the market?

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Answer 6

lkrupp

Level 7

24,967 points

Jun 15, 2021 7:57 AM in response to TheUpperEnd

Very interesting video. Thanks for tracking it down.

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Apple TV 4K (2021) in 8-bit Colour not 10-bit? What's the go?

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