No HDR from AppleTV+ app on Roku

Kirt ,

this is spot on, exactly the same issue I’m having. Big question, is this just a bump in the road that Apple will fix? Or is this a “feature” that will remain unchanged???

thank you for your detailed explanation.

regards,

Joe

Same. I used to be able to watch all my HDR 10+ content on my TCL QLED. They did some update in January and now some only play in HD. If it don’t have Dolby vision it won’t be in HDR. It worked fine before the update. Apollo 13 would play in HDR 10+. Now it will only play in HD. It’s a joke.

HDR content has also gone from my smart tv Apple TV app (Samsung). And from my macOS Apple TV app. (M1 MacBook Pro)

Only place I can see UHD is on 2 films I bought a while ago. I can't find any new content / films in either apps with UHD. Not even Dune 2.

I have this issue also with my HDR10+ display. I posted the following to the Roku Community Support Forum:

1. The issue I am having is specific to the Apple TV+ (ATV+) app on my latest generation Roku Ultra, with my HDR10+ display (JVC DLA NP5 Projector). Ever since the ATV+ was last updated, around January 8th, all content from the ATV+ app is being delivered in SDR. This applies to both ATV+ original material and content I stream from the "Library" tab of the ATV+. Prior to this update, I was receiving content from ATV+ in either HDR10 or HDR10+. My Roku is set to match the HDR content of the source material, so it will not upconvert SDR to HDR10/HDR10+ and my Roku Ultra recognizes my display as being a HDR10+ device automatically.
2. All my other apps deliver content in HDR or HDR10+ as expected, depending on the  source material. I have confirmed that Disney+, Peacock, Netflix, Prime Video, Paramount+ all continue to deliver at least HDR10 with the latter two apps also supporting HDR10+.
3. I do not get any error code when using the ATV+ app, or otherwise.
4. To try and resolve the issue I tried deleting the Apple TV+ app, and then reinstalling it. After I logged in fresh to ATV+, nothing had changed, still no HDR. Originally the issue manifested with Roku FW Version 12.5.0. However, my Ultra was subsequently updated to version  12.5.5 with no change to the issue.
5. Via the forums, I have confirmed that the issue is limited to HDR10+ displays. Dolby Vision displays or basic HDR10 only displays, work fine and pass the ATV+ content in the correct HDR format. Additionally, on HDR10+ smart TVs, with the ATV+ executing on the TV's OS rather than on an external Roku Ultra, there is no problem and the built-in ATV+ app passes HDR10/HDR10+ as expected. I can not confirm this point myself, as my projector does not have any built-in apps.
6. A snapshot from the info screen of my Apple TV+ app is posted below showing the specific version of the ATV+ app, and the Roku Ultra Firmware.

Called apple tech support, they suggest I put this on the Apple.com/feedback which I did, I used your forum explanation.

This has to be a huge issue for Apple and Roku. Let’s see what happens

This is absolutely happening as described by KentinUT. However I can tell you that when I watch the AppleTV+ app on my AppleTV 4k streaming box I get HDR just fine. Hmmm…I’m not a conspiracy theorist but it sure feels like Apple is downgrading the HDR function when using the TV plus app on a Roku Ultra. So Apple…if we are all doing something wrong here please set us straight. And please don’t tell us this is Roku’s issue! Thanks!

Well Ok, I’m working now!! Last night I just when to Apple TV+ started streaming and HDR 10+ is now working again. Not sure how or why, I think there was a minor Roku OS update, now 12.5.5 on my Roku Select 43” TV. All is right with the world again, now you all are running too.

I also just noticed that my Roku 4K stick with HDR10 works with Apple TV plus. Seems to be only on my two Roku Ultra’s with HDR10+ that won’t play Apple TV HDR content.

Still none for me on the macOS Apple TV app nor may Smart TV Apple TV app. The HDR tag is still missing from all programmes.

@ewoods - was it missing for you?

I have the exact same issue. It is definitely the Roku & Apple Plus combo and not the Samsung TV because, the native AppleTV app on Samsung works in HDR. I reached out to Roku and they say contact Apple.

Same issue, have the Roku select tv 43”, it was working , playback in HDR + using Apple TV Plus, about the time the latest Roku OS update, it no longer plays back in HDR 10+, just standard… tried all the recommended Roku and Apple app resets, no go…. Awaiting fix..

Note, after witnessing this issue on my latest gen Roku Ultra, I purchased an Amazon Firestick 4K Max hoping that the issue would not manifest on that platform. Sadly, the Firestick exhibits the same behavior and will not pass any HDR whatsoever to my HDR10+ compatible display (JVC DLA-NP5 Projector).

So this is NOT A ROKU ISSUE. THE PROBLEM LIES WITH APPLE ALONE!

It's definitely an Apple TV+ app problem. I have an older Sony 4K TV with HDR10 and a Roku Streaming Stick+ that does fine passing HDR10 for Netflix, Max, Prime, Peacock apps. But with ATV+, it acts like it's passing HDR (and I can see HDR in the TV input menu,) but it's not the correct format, so everything is dark/washed-out.

The ATV+ app on the Roku allows me to toggle to 4K SDR, and the picture looks fine when I drop HDR. But the whole point is that HDR really does improve the experience-- even "old" HDR10.

I am wondering if ATV+ app is pushing a bad format (maybe Dolby Vision) or something that screws things up for TVs that don't support Dolby Vision.

I have another non-Roku device in the house-- a Flex device (now Xumo?) from Comcast. It had the exact same problem with ATV+ not showing HDR, but unlike the app on Roku, I couldn't change the setting to 4K SDR. (It's connected to an old 1080p HDTV, so not an issue, but still more confirmation that it's the ATV+ app that is the problem.)

Yes, seems to be the HDR 10+ playback my Roku Select TV no longer gets the 10+ playback, yet it did previously. On the road my Roku 4K streaming stick did playback in HDR.

very frustrated , however, also interested. lol. Apple , please fix!!

Please contact the Apple Support staff for assistance with getting the video properties that you think you should get.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support