Apple TV app giving "This monitor does not support HDR playback" error

Solution: Delete the downloaded show from your computer. Stream it instead.

Apparently the downloaded file only comes in a type formatted for high dynamic range-capable monitors. (This is distinct from HD or any resolution issue.) The streaming service, by contrast, detects what the monitor is capable of and streams the appropriate format.

This issue is following on from another user's question from a while ago ago:

I'm trying to watch a film I've downloaded (in SD, not even HD) using Apple TV app on my Macbook Pro 2019. It's running 10.15.5 so should not be suffering from the software issue that I have read previously generated this error.

I've tried connecting the Macbook Pro to an HDMI capable TV last night (Panasonic plasma) and got this error. Thought it might be the TV not being capable, so tried it tonight on my ASUS PB287Q, which is a native 4k display.

It's connected via Displayport with a display port to USB C adapter and I'm *still* getting Apple TV say that "this monitor does not support HDR playback".

How can this be when the monitor is a 4K monitor?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jul 16, 2020