Level 1

19 points

Black levels / contrast change with subtitles

Hello everybody,

since the last updates of iTunes (11.1.5) + OS X (10.9.2), watching a movie with subtitles is no more comfortable. I see that other people on the forum also encountered the problem.

I'll try to be clear and detailed:

Each time a subtitle is displayed, the black level (or the contrast if you prefer) on the full screen slightly becomes brighter. The result is a flashing movie each time someone is speaking (subtitles). This was not present before the very last updates. This is especially very annoying when watching a movie with top/down black bars (cinema 2:1 image ratio), as there is a big area of black pixels. Or watching a story in space (try Gravity...). I would say: it is not watchable...

This happens (in my case) when using full screen mode, HD movie, and HDTV connected via HDMI. Maybe in other situation also, I don't know.

But for instance, wathching the HD version using a window (not clicking on fullscreen double arrow) on the TV, or SD version in full screen on an external monitor (which is not HDCP compatible), or SD version of the movie in full screen to the TV via HDMI, the issue is not visible. In fact the problem is not present in these situations because the contrast levels on the full screen remains brighter always, even when there is no subtitle. So there is no flashing behaviour. But the black is "not black" anymore. It is dark grey.

Do you know whether this is already reported to Apple dev team? Is it a known issue?

Should I report?

Thanks.

Mac mini (Late 2012), OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on Mar 24, 2014 2:24 AM

Top-ranking reply

halo_bone

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Feb 4, 2018 5:03 PM

Same issues here, can't believe this post dates back 4 years (and there's similar posts on Apple from earlier years that have been closed out of commenting).

This used to not happen, I purchased a lot of movies and tv shows on iTunes over the past 5-6 years and it used to work fine. I believe is was one of the OS updates that probably broke it. I've fought it on MacBook Pros with dedicated graphics, as well as Airs with integrated cards, so I don't think that's necessarily the problem. And yes, it only happens when the OS manages the video colors -- iTunes, Netflix via Safari. Netflix looks fine on Chrome and other independent browsers.. when subtitles appear or a GUI is up, the picture is the same as it is when it's just the video content on screen. If playing iTunes material or Netflix in Safari, the picture's black levels and contrast bounces back and forth every time a GUI element appears on screen (playback controls, subtitle, etc).

I believe this is similar to the Nvidia controls in Windows where you can set if what levels VIDEO content plays back with. You can specify 0-255 (full) or 16-235 (limited). I think OSX is trying to do the same thing automagically and set "full screen video content" to 16-235, but then any GUI content pops up on screen and kicks the display output to 0-255 while it's up. Back and forth, back and forth.

Really quite an oversight by Apple, can't believe it's not fixed after 4+ years, or that no-one from the companies licensing this content has noticed and demanded it to be fixed. Netflix, for starters, should be all over this.

My current workaround is to leave something on screen. This will force the display to always be in the more "limited" levels range and not pop back and forth. It's obvious the expanded levels are too contrasty and dropping blacks beyond where they should be; shadow details totally disappear into black, for example. So, in Safari I'll just fullscreen the browser (and not Netflix itself) and that leaves a bright title bar up top which *****, but at least the video looks right. iTunes/quicktime is a little better, you can leave your mouse cursor over a playback control button and that'll stay on screen forcing the levels to remain correct/consistent. These controls are still distracting but at least it's mostly a dark gray color.

Of course, the other workaround is purchase from competitors. Don't use Safari, don't use iTunes... sadly, but if they don't fix this, not much choice.

Get on it Apple!

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55 replies

Eckerr

Level 1

11 points

Mar 30, 2015 2:31 AM in response to Littlechilie

Still no solution? Does formatting help?

PauloROP

Level 1

35 points

Oct 5, 2015 5:20 PM in response to Olivier VM

I am having the same issue here, I am watching some videos (.mov files) that I made with my Canon 6D and when it is full screen it has lots of black and more contrast, when I move the cursor and the controls show up, the video gets brighter, less blacks and less contrast.

I am using my macbook pro 15" retina display mid 2014, watching in its own screen, running El Capitan, I have notice this since I bought the notebook.

Nov 15, 2015 2:39 PM in response to Olivier VM

I'm having the same problem on my macbook pro retina 13" early 2015, el capitan.
But that contrast/gamma change occurs only when watching video streams in safari, itunes and in quicktime. when watching streams in chrome or video on vlc it doesn't occur. that makes me think it could be some kind of apple power saving function thats implemented in their apps.

Eckerr

Level 1

11 points

Dec 16, 2015 2:08 PM in response to ritzelratzel

Still no solution? Does formatting help?

Please fix this, the problem only exists with Retina MacBooks

furfoots

Level 1

4 points

Dec 18, 2015 1:40 PM in response to Olivier VM

Same problem 1 month old el capitan macbook pro 13" retina. Open netflix fullscreen in safari and it judders and changes gamma slightly with the pacing of the subtitles. Switch to chrome and it works perfectly.

Kanimies

Level 1

4 points

Mar 5, 2016 9:11 PM in response to Olivier VM

Seems that years pass and Apple still won't do anything to fix this issue (among with many others) - MacMini with latest OS X here, and I'm experiencing the lighter blacks with subtitles and purple cursor appearing in the middle of the screen (Cursor doesn't disappear during movie in iTunes ) -problems.

It is rather sad that this has been the level of Apple's support for years now - this along with the multiple defects along the product line really undermine their credibility as a company making quality products or respecting their customers.

earik

Level 1

4 points

Dec 20, 2016 2:53 PM in response to Olivier VM

I have this problem as well. I have a brandnew Macbook Pro Retina early 2015 - macOS Sierra. Its quite annoying that I have this problem with this quality of leptop. And i dont want to install chrome or firefox just for this problem.

So please Apple! Solve this problem asap.

Feb 27, 2017 12:52 PM in response to Olivier VM

Apple, please respond! How is this not fixed in 2017?

bielle64

Level 1

4 points

Sep 14, 2017 2:43 PM in response to nicholslot

Well maybe i am at the wrong place but I have the exact same problem with my iPad 2017 when watching Netflix.

Very annoying when watching dark scenes.

Apr 16, 2018 5:34 AM in response to gagarski

Okay, most ridiculous, but this actually works!!! Thanks man!!

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Black levels / contrast change with subtitles