Could not enable HDR on my new Apple TV 4K and my Sony XBR65X900E

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Level 1

24 points

Could not enable HDR on my new Apple TV 4K and my Sony XBR65X900E

I just received my new Apple TV 4K (released September 2017), and I updated its Firmware and TV OS to the latest version.

I connected it to my recently purchased Sony XBR65X900E, which is a 4K TV with HDR. About the TV:

https://www.sony.com/electronics/televisions/xbr-x900e-series

Sony eSupport - XBR-49X900E - Support

As soon as I installed the TV, I upgraded it to the latest Android OS.

I also used I used an HDMI 2.0 4K UHD, with HDCP 2.2, 26AWG, that supports HDR, 3D, etc, by MIC Cable, as follows:

https://www.amazon.com/HDMI-Cable-Feet-Supports-Connectors/dp/B071HB7S7F

The Sony TV recognizes the Apple TV 4K, which is connected to the Sony TV HDMI Port 1. The Manual does not detail which HDMI Ports are HDR, I have to assume they all are HDR, as there is no mention of some HDMI Ports not being HDR.

In the Sony TV Settings, there are five HDR Settings options (ON, OFF, AUTO, HDR10, and HDR Dolby), and I select HDR10. Immediately I see the screen of the Sony TV displaying the Apple TV 4K inputs way too bright, the image becomes white washed, but I can see the icons of the Apple TV 4K Menu, they look awkward, but they are visible.

Then I proceed to go to the Apple TV, Settings and I try to enable the HDR. The Screen goes dark for about 1 minute or two, and then it displays the following message: "We switched your TV to its previous format. You may need to choose "Ultra" or "Deep" color settings on your TV, or try a different HDMI Input. Check your TV's User Guide for details.".

This means that the Apple TV 4K did not recognize the Sony XBR65X900E as an HDR capable TV.

I then tries the same settings on the other HDMI Inputs 2, 3 and 4, to no avail. The Apple TV 4K "HDR" is not recognized on any of the HDMI Inputs.

With so many moving parts, I am at a loss, and I am making this posting on the Apple Community to try to find an answer. Any replies will be most appreciated,

Sincerely,

Victor.

Posted on Sep 28, 2017 7:27 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

mkris101

Level 1

5 points

Oct 30, 2017 10:53 AM in response to macgyversvk

Directly from Sony HDMI 2/3 are the only supported ports that support HDR. My Apple TV 4k works with out issue

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Answer 2

Oct 22, 2017 8:31 PM in response to Art Lover

The key is following :

hdmi 3 only

enhanced mode on input 3

hdmi cable from tv to receiver or apple tv has to be 2.2 hdmi 18gb

it does work no problem

I have xbr75x900e

denon avr-x4300h

apple Tv 4K

amazon 4k

roku 4k

i have 30 feet cable hdmi from tv to receiver

3ft between receiver and sources above

all works fine , HDR 4K 60hz 4:2:0 I did try to do 4:2:2 but not working properly probably firmware update require .

I’m Sony authorize dealer and custom AV installer , and All is working great love it

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Answer 3

Art Lover Author

Level 1

24 points

Sep 29, 2017 1:23 PM in response to Art Lover

Dear Apple TV community:

The Apple TV 4k was not detecting the Sony X900E as HDR capable, and this is an issue that can be solved by adjusting the setting sin the Sony TV as follows:

1. Hit the "Home" button on the Sony TV remote. You'll see a bunch of icons popup

2. Arrow down to the bottom to Settings (it looks like a gear icon on the x900e)

3. Once in settings, go into External Inputs

4. Scroll down and go into HDMI signal Format (Enhance 4K HDMI signal Format)

5. Once there you'll see the magic setting we need, which is the Enhanced Format (Displays High-Quality HDMI signals on HDMI inputs 2 & 3...), so select it and navigate back out using the back button

Above solution is based on a posting I found within the Sony Community at the following link:

https://community.sony.com/t5/Television-General/HDR-settings-on-Apple-TV-4K-on- x900e/td-p/647929

I hope this information of of good use to anyone using a Sony TV with an Apple TV 4K.

My best regards to all,

Victor.

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Answer 4

Art Lover Author

Level 1

24 points

Oct 7, 2017 6:30 AM in response to snake6656

This also happened to me, to fix this whitewashing issue I did a factory reset on the Sony (this TV does not have a video setting reset only, to save the user accounts, unlike the Apple TV), and a Video settings reset on the Apple TV. Re-enter network settings on the Sony. Then go through the steps outlined above, and the Apple TV should recognize the Sony TV as HDR10 capable, without the whitewashing problem. please do try this and report back to let us know, will you?

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Answer 5

Rysz

Level 8

44,449 points

Sep 28, 2017 8:33 PM in response to Art Lover

Try setting your Sony to Auto, not HDR10. Same for resolution (Auto or Highest available)

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Answer 6

Oct 5, 2017 8:39 AM in response to Art Lover

The Apple tv 4k colors are wahed in HDR 10. Other forum said it’s working fine in Dolby Viion

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Answer 7

teride

Level 1

22 points

Oct 11, 2017 3:12 PM in response to Art Lover

I only have the Enhanced HDMI menu selection.. My ATV recognized my TV as HDR. So I think I’m good.

Thanks!!

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Answer 8

Dec 1, 2017 10:38 PM in response to Vexir

Which Amazon basics cables are you referring to? They do sell HDMI 2, 18 ghz cables which is what is called for supposedly. The cable worked fine for me, but the Apple TV 4K kept getting mixed up after coming out of sleep. It would be in 4K HDR @ 60 Hz and I would then try a Netflix movie was 4 K , HDR10. No video but the audio played. I rebooted the Apple TV and then for the rest of the evening HDR 10 worked fine on the ATV 4K. It then started acting up by just freezing. I’d unplug it and it would be fine. Got a better cable and it acted the same way. It was plugged into HDMI 3 with 2 and 3 enhanced via the Sony XBR65X900E settings. My Shield TV meanwhile was plugged into port 2. The Shield worked perfectly, the Apple TV was just awful. I phoned Apple and they kept going on about Dolby Vision not being supported on my TV. They never said it wasn’t compatible but implied that might cause issues. Don’t know. Am returning the Apple TV 4K. Love the TV, everything else but the Apple TV is great on it. Maybe I got a defective Apple TV or it’s just more picky with Settings, cables, etc... Now have my previous Apple TV 4 in port 4 and what a relief. Works great, colours are fine, etc... Perhaps the Sony x900e and the Apple TV 4K are a difficult match. Very disappointed in this Apple hardware as well as the type of support.

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Answer 9

Vexir

Level 1

9 points

Nov 11, 2017 9:17 AM in response to Badspeller13

The Amazon basics cables don’t support HDR unfortunately. You’ll have to order new ones that do support HDR10. I had the same issue.

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Answer 10

Oct 11, 2017 5:41 PM in response to teride

I was able to Enable HDR on my Apple TV 4K with the Sony XBR65X900E, but the colors look duller than when the Apple TV is set to 4K SDR. This has been mentioned elsewhere (http://www.avsforum.com/forum/39-networking-media-servers-content-streaming/2921 216-apple-tv-5-gen-hdr-dark-dull-2.html). Is anyone else experiencing this? I see something about Increased brightness in the HDR setting on tvOS 11.1 beta 2, but is there any other solution to this problem thats already available?

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Answer 11

Art Lover Author

Level 1

24 points

Oct 5, 2017 5:18 AM in response to snake6656

You may need to do a firmware upgrade then. But, even if you have no HDR Dolby, this should not be a problem. The point is to get the Apple TV 4k to talk to the Sony TV in some form of common HDR protocol, and in this case HDR10 is that common protocol, not the HDR Dolby version.

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Answer 12

Oct 6, 2017 9:56 PM in response to Art Lover

We just got the same TV and are ready to throw our Apple TV 4K out the window. We have tried multiple tips to able HRD (through our Denon 4K receiver) and nothing works. I am praying somebody will find a solution that works.

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Answer 13

teride

Level 1

22 points

Oct 10, 2017 10:49 AM in response to Art Lover

Hi--I have this same TV & can't seem to find where the HDR settings are in the TV. Can you please share? Did you get your Apple 4k TV to work correctly? I just purchased one & still have to figure out how to connect correctly.

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Answer 14

Art Lover Author

Level 1

24 points

Oct 10, 2017 1:38 PM in response to teride

The Sept 29 posting above has the instructions for where to set the HDR Settings, if you have a different Menu, I will not be able to help you. But if you have a Sony XBR ##X900E the Menu should be the same.

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Answer 15

Nov 11, 2017 9:00 AM in response to DisneylandNerd

I’m right there with you. Using a Samsung UNKS800D and a Denon X3300w received and I can’t get it to switch to HDR on the Apple TV. I’m using the high speed 18gbps amazon basics 6’ cables. And suggestions are much appreciated on getting this to work!

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