AppleTV 4K (2020) not showing 4K on streaming services
I am confused by 4K services on TWO AppleTV 4Ks, both of which are exhibiting the exact same symptoms. Maybe one of the geniuses out there can help.
I bought two AppleTV 4Ks in late 2019 attached to late-generation (2018 & 2020) Samsung TVs, 55"-65". I am able to successfully stream content from multiple sources including Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, etc.
When I bring up Netflix using the built-in app on the TV, it shows content (for example, "The Queen's Gambit') as available in 4K HDR, which is what I would expect from a 4K TV.
But when I bring up Netflix using the AppleTV app, the same show does NOT show 4K HDR. It only shows Dolby Vision. (But Samsung does not support Dolby Vision, to my disappointment.)
All TVs and AppleTVs are on the same Wifi network, with 100Mbs upstream connection. I am able to stream multiple 4K streams simultaneously (through different TVs) without problem.
I have done a "Check HDMI connection" test in Settings->Video and Audio and it says I'm OK.
So: (a) both TVs play 4K Netflix via native (built-in) apps; (b) both TVs FAIL to support 4K Netflix when playing through the AppleTV 4Ks; (c) Wifi and HDMI cables appear to be good.
One more point: When the AppleTV screensaver comes on, the TV reports it is in 4K mode (3840x2160, HDR, UHD). This seems to indicate that the TV is receiving 4K from the AppleTV. Can I trust this? How do I know the TV isn't upscaling from HD to 4K internally?
The fundamental question is: Is this an AppleTV problem, a Samsung problem, or a Netflix problem?
Consider me, as Jimmy Page would say, dazed and confused.
Peter
Apple TV 4K, tvOS 15