Apple TV shows too dark?

FIRST

The answer has nothing to do with the problem stated.

The Apple TV "APP" does NOT have that menu option.

It may be true for the Apple TV device though, I don't know.

SECOND

The problem has to do with auto-brightness during playback.

I could troubleshoot it by placing a light (my iPhone led light), close to the light sensor (at the top next to the camera) on my Macbook pro, with the light on the sensor, the movie became acceptable!

Without it, on a normal daylight setup, the movie is barely visible, like Trey mentioned is like staring to a pitch black hole that emits sound.

THIRD

I looked into System settings, Accessibility on System settings, the TV app settings.... there's NO WAY to control the brightness for yourself, we need to rely on that stupid sensor or watch a 2 hour movie holding a light next to the sensor or until your arm falls off.

LAST

Googling it, just gets you to the same replicated wrong solutions over and over.

Like no one cares what's the problem or even to understand it correctly.

It feels really bad to have a very expensive device with - supposedly - best display that you can't control a simple video brightness setup

These are the same textbook answers that Apple support people have been handing out for fifteen years (15 years). This has been a permanent problem since iTunes first was able to play movies in 2008. Regardless of which of many Macs at home and at work that I have used over these many years, the gamma is ALWAYS off with iTunes videos. I am a video pro and I not only know how to use top-end closed loop calibrators but I know how to use the Mac's built-in calibrator, as well as the display brightness and all that. These do nothing to fix the problem. Turn up the brightness for the movie to look right and everything else is far too bright.

For proof, connect a DVD player, cue up the same movie side-by-side on DVD and iTunes / Apple TV, then skip ahead to a night time scene and compare the two. The difference is huge. This is irrefutable. I have been complaining via the suggestions page forever but nothing has ever changed.

There is no “Appearance” option

My answer wasn’t directed to you obviously - you’re the only experienced reply here - and I got your point truly.

I’ve also been there in the past messing with screen calibration and comparing with other devices and apps like VLC. I’m a motion designer and character animator working with Macs since late 90s and I feel you.

It’s a software/Apple problem that they don’t care to fix at all in decades!

I've been thinking about making a YouTube post showing the navigation page then clicking back to one of the Apple show episodes. It's like switching from day to night. Apple's response that it's our monitor or screens falls flat on its face.

It's an unfortunate glitch. The shows are good, interesting, but almost painful to watch. Shadows and things that go bump in the night with a soundtrack.

Note that I've been dealing with this from the first day that iTunes offered movies and on all Macs, including laptops and desktops. The test is to view a DVD alongside an identical video on iTunes/Apple TV.

Hi destartegood

welcome to the Apple (user-to-user) Community.

Re: "Apple TV shows too dark?"

Wondering if you might need to adjust the Screen's Brightness settings.

or Apple's article:

Customise the Apple TV Home Screen – Apple Support

says:

"To change the appearance of Apple TV

1. Open Settings  on Apple TV.
2. Go to General > Appearance, then select Light, Dark or Automatic.
3. When set to Automatic, the appearance shifts from Light during daytime hours to Dark during night time hours".

_________________________________________________________

You may want to keep your Apple TV updated to the latest version:

How to Update your Apple TV – Apple Support

If you don't have the remote, or if you wish:

How to set up the Apple TV Remote on your iPhone or iPad

Set up the Apple TV remote

____________________________

Resource:

Apple TV User Guide (for tvOS 16.4 or if necessary: choose your earlier tvOS version at the top of articles for accuracy.)

Apple TV User Guide – Apple Support

More support if needed:

Apple TV Support website:

Apple TV - Official Apple Support

All the best :-)

The suggestions given to you were based upon you stating the issue was with an Apple TV (a device). If you are not using an Apple TV device and are using the Apple TV+ app you could clarify this.

I’ve just spent nearly 2 hours of my life trying to sort this with Apple support. It’s apparent that there is an issue as a Senior person confirmed it after watching my MacBook 2023 screen via my IPhone was un watchable at maximum contrast on Mac and IPhone. A total waste of time, no additional assistance with any technical help. I can watch it on my Samsung Frame but not on any Apple product. I’m now having to enter a dispute with a computer as a persons opinion, even if Senior is not recognised. Not at any time is your Apple ID taken in to account with any form of loyalty being considered. Nearly 13K on Apple products in last rolling 12 month period. That’s me I’ve had enough of it all, total waste of time and space

This solved it for me:

Settings > Video and Audio > Match Content > Match Dynamic Range (Off)

Source:Why is content / Video via AppleTV app on… - Apple Community

Had the same problem with movies being too dark on the Apple TV app. I switched to watching in a web browser on my iPhone and MacBook, worked fine there. But yeah, still dark on the Apple TV box. Spent a bit of time on this site with different tips and found out HDR on the Apple TV was the issue. They've got like 10 different things to try, might help you too: https://pointerclicker.com/why-are-apple-tv-movies-so-dark/