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

CharlesIC

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Dec 17, 2017 3:40 PM

I've finally figured it out! The problem is with using the integrated graphics card vs the discrete graphics card. The issue only happens when the integrated graphics card is used, and for whatever reason MacOS switches to using the discrete graphics card when it displays menu overlays or subtitles in full screen....go figure!

To fix this, go to System Preferences > Energy Saver and uncheck the Automatic graphics switching checkbox. This will make your Mac use only the discrete graphics card. Note that if your Mac only has integrated graphic, then there's no real solution to this it seems.

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55 replies

Jan 22, 2015 5:23 AM in response to Olivier VM

Macbook Pro Retina 15", Yosemite. Fully updated.

Same thing... Actually started for me on my old computer running Mavericks. Started using VLC as default player for everything as I couldn't find any workaround - or even discussions about it a the time.

Last night I rented a movie through iTunes (having happily forgotten about the issue) and it's still doesn't work:

- Gamma changes with subtitles visible

- Gamma changes when player controls visible

- Highlights are broken and full of purple noise

- and there's absolutely nothing I can do about it.....

Jan 31, 2015 3:10 PM in response to Kasper_dk

Can confirm the latest itunes update has not fixed this issue !! I also contacted apple but there was no sensible fix, although they did confirm people complains of this issue . Come on Apple sort it out already Macmini 2012

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?

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Black levels / contrast change with subtitles