Change AppleTV 4's Hideous Background?

Question

Change AppleTV 4's Hideous Background?

So I got my new ATV4 on Friday, and so far so good, however going from a black background on the ATV3 to the white background on the ATV4 was a mistake. It's horrendous looking, and causes all kinds of washout. I thought something was wrong with mine at first and ended up wiping it out and starting over to fix it.

The background makes the interface look like it's a beta. The Netflix icon gets washed out, apps using white text get washed out. It's terrible.

Does anyone know a way to correct this gross oversight and change the background color?

Posted on Nov 1, 2015 6:10 AM

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Answer 1

Protodd

Level 4

2,092 points

Nov 1, 2015 6:17 AM in response to Tony.Andreoli

As of now there is no way to adjust. And no expectation that we will be able to in the future either. That being said, I prefer it over the black from previous versions but I guess it's personal preference...

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Answer 2

morrispe

Level 4

1,224 points

Nov 1, 2015 6:21 AM in response to Tony.Andreoli

I like the new look so I guess it comes down to personal taste. The Apple website has had screen shots of the new UI since the product announcement so this change shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone. There is currently no ability to change to a dark theme UI that I'm aware of. You can submit a feedback request here. http://www.apple.com/feedback/appletv.html

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Answer 3

Nov 1, 2015 7:00 AM in response to Protodd

Thanks all. Unfortunately for me, it just seems too abrasive, and it looks incomplete. Looking at the main screen, the Photos and Netflix icons are both white, and since icons don't have any borders, they just blend into the background. and doesn't get much better when you select it.

Inside the App Store app, there are three options across the top, Featured, Purchased, and Search, however, it only looks like there are two, because the selected one changes color to white on a white background, making it totally invisible.

And when looking at movies at tv shows, several items in some of the descriptions are white or pale with white print over a white background. They only show somewhat visible when you scroll the screen, or over the object.

Is everyone else seeing these things, or is it just me?

Thanks, Tony

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Answer 4

Nov 1, 2015 6:58 AM in response to Tony.Andreoli

Tony - you may want to look at your TV set-up. Sounds like your TV may be burning out mid-grey to white. When I go into the App Store I have a mid-grey strip at the top with a white selected section, and the other two selections in dark grey (almost black). The selected section certainly doesn't disappear.

However I can imagine if you have a visual impairment this reduced contrast wouldn't be helpful - so maybe an alternate high contrast colour scheme could be added for accessibility purposes?

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Answer 5

Ge0ph

Level 2

426 points

Nov 1, 2015 6:58 AM in response to Tony.Andreoli

It sounds to me like you need to adjust your TV's brightness. Or maybe do a complete calibration on the TV.

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Answer 6

Nov 1, 2015 7:01 AM in response to Steve Neal

Thanks, looking into that now. However, it's never been a problem with the older ATV3, my Roku 3, or my DirecTV receiver. Only when I added the ATV4.

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Answer 7

Nov 1, 2015 7:16 AM in response to Tony.Andreoli

Thanks for everyone's help. The TV was set for Vivid video (as opposed to Standard or Cinema). Setting it back to standard caused the washout to stop and the whites to become grey, so the Netflix and App Store icons show up right, and the options across the top of the App store show up right.

Ok, I take back most of what I said, the on screen keyboard still blows though ;-)

Thanks again,

Tony

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Answer 8

Protodd

Level 4

2,092 points

Nov 1, 2015 7:20 AM in response to Tony.Andreoli

GGlad it was a relativly simple fix! And yes, I think we are ALL in agreement that the remote app not being available was a HUGE oversight...

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Answer 9

morrispe

Level 4

1,224 points

Nov 1, 2015 7:21 AM in response to Tony.Andreoli

haha. Glad you solved it and yes the on screen keyboard does blow. 🙂

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Answer 10

Nov 25, 2015 8:47 PM in response to Tony.Andreoli

I fully agree that the white background is unpleasing. I usually watch tv at night or in a dark room during the day so the white background is too much light. The black background gave it more of a movie theatre vibe.

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Answer 11

Jan 2, 2016 5:25 PM in response to Tony.Andreoli

Thanks for solving this and posting. Changing from Vivid display on mine fixed as well. Still don't like new theme. Seems an easy thing to do in software update to give users theme preferences.

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