How can I choose the monitor for playback on TV app to prevent "This monitor does not support HDR playback"?

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How can I choose the monitor for playback on TV app to prevent "This monitor does not support HDR playback"?

I just downloaded my first purchased movie for the Apple TV app on my 16" 2021 M1 MacBook Pro - Interstellar (1080p HD). My MacBook Pro has 2 identical monitors connected to it - both are 2560x1440 native resolution. I try to play the movie from the TV app and I get an error dialog box coming up on one of the external monitors saying "This monitor does not support HDR playback". Groan. Any ideas what's going on? Assuming there's some reason why my external monitors aren't up to the task, I can't even figure out how to play the movie on my MacBook Pro's 16" screen which I would have to think is capable. I'm running Sonoma 14.4.1. Apple is supposed to be all about "It just works" yet I constantly find myself asking "Why is this hard?"...

MacBook Pro (2021)

Posted on Apr 28, 2024 9:26 AM

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Answer 1

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VikingOSX

Level 10

123,962 points

Apr 28, 2024 12:36 PM in response to Mick_M

Mick_M wrote:

Thanks VikingOSX. The incompatible cabling issue did cross my mind, and I honestly don't know if my two identical cables meet the requirements (I suspect they do not comply). Following your lead - in the Displays settings, there are no HDR sliders for either of the external displays, also including for the internal display. I did notice the internal display had a preset set to "Apple XDR Display (P3-1600 nits)" so I tried setting it to "HDR Video (P3-ST 2084)" but that didn't change anything. That was just a shot in the dark.

So assuming for now this is a cabling issue, rather than outright denying me the ability to watch the movie, how can I direct the TV app to select the built-in MacBook Pro display if it won't do that by itself? There is still a case to be made (I think) that this should still "Just Work".

Disconnect your two external displays and the TV app will have no choice but display on the MacBook Pro screen. Drastic, but process of elimination.

I mentioned the HDR switch in the Displays panel as that is present for my 32-in LG 4K Ultrafine HDR display and I am using a specific Belkin cable from my M2 Mac Mini Pro to the display.

I happen to have a 2021 16-in MacBook Pro M1 Pro on the other end of the desk and do not use it with the LG Display. I could, but just haven't gone for the 4K HDMI HDR compatible switch with remote control and another Belkin cable.

I frequently use the LG display for playback of Apple TV+ programming with no issues. That because the 55-in TV is connected to Apple TV 4K that is playing Sirius XM Classic Vinyl through the Sirius/XM app. 😎

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Answer 2

Mick_M Author

Level 1

99 points

Apr 28, 2024 1:53 PM in response to VikingOSX

Sure, disconnecting all the external monitors forces it to work, but it's a mental work-around. I'm absolutely not criticizing you here - this is all on Apple. And before anybody suggests apple.com/feedback I'm not even going to try. I have submitted well over a hundred of those over the years and, as near as I can tell, they all get redirected into a black hole. It provides a mechanism that allows Apple to keep a straight face and say they're listening, but in my experience they don't. Literally not one of my suggestions or reported issues has ever yielded anything.

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,962 points

Apr 28, 2024 10:46 AM in response to Mick_M

Are you using identical cables to directly connect those two displays where the cable vendor explicitly states it supports HDR? Are you using an HDMI 2.1 4K UltraSpeed HDR cable in the HDMI port of the Mac? In your System Settings : Displays is there an HDR slider for each display to enable HDR and is it on for both displays?

The "it just works" only applies where the software, hardware, and cabling permit it.

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Answer 4

Mick_M Author

Level 1

99 points

Apr 28, 2024 11:27 AM in response to VikingOSX

Thanks VikingOSX. The incompatible cabling issue did cross my mind, and I honestly don't know if my two identical cables meet the requirements (I suspect they do not comply). Following your lead - in the Displays settings, there are no HDR sliders for either of the external displays, also including for the internal display. I did notice the internal display had a preset set to "Apple XDR Display (P3-1600 nits)" so I tried setting it to "HDR Video (P3-ST 2084)" but that didn't change anything. That was just a shot in the dark.

So assuming for now this is a cabling issue, rather than outright denying me the ability to watch the movie, how can I direct the TV app to select the built-in MacBook Pro display if it won't do that by itself? There is still a case to be made (I think) that this should still "Just Work".

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How can I choose the monitor for playback on TV app to prevent "This monitor does not support HDR playback"?

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