How to Make VidHub the Best Companion for Your Apple TV?

Dear Apple TV users, do you want to bring out the best video playback performance from your Apple TV? This article will guide you on how to properly set up your Apple TV to perfectly pair with VidHub for playing HDR and Dolby Vision videos.

Quick Setup Guide

If you don't want to delve into the details, simply follow these steps:

1. Set your TV's Display Format to 4K SDR.
2. Turn on the Match Content feature, and enable Match Dynamic Range and Match Frame Rate.

What Are These Settings

1. Display Format

• Location: Settings -> Video and Audio -> Format
• Function: Defines the standard output format of the Apple TV. For example, when set to Dolby Vision, the intuitive feeling is that the menus and APP interfaces will adopt the Dolby Vision standard, making them appear brighter.
• Note: Even if set to Dolby Vision, it does not mean that all videos will automatically play in Dolby Vision format. This is where the "Match Content" setting comes into play.

2. Match Content

• Location: Settings -> Video and Audio -> Match Content
• Function:
• Match Dynamic Range: When enabled, Apple TV 4K will automatically adjust the output based on the original dynamic range of the content.
• Match Frame Rate: When enabled, Apple TV 4K or HD will automatically adjust the refresh rate according to the original frame rate of the content. This is suitable for content that supports different frame rates; in this case, the ATV output refresh rate will keep pace with the video frame rate.

After enabling these settings, Apple TV will attempt to automatically detect and match the dynamic range or frame rate supported by your TV. You may experience a brief blank or flicker on the screen when switching formats. The flicker or momentary blackout is VidHub matching content with Apple TV, which is a normal phenomenon.

Personal Setup Suggestions

• Display Format: Choose according to personal preference. If your TV supports Dolby Vision, you can set it to Dolby Vision for warmer colors. However, I generally do not enable it as I do not prefer brighter menu interfaces.
• Match Content: It is recommended to enable this to ensure the video content matches your TV optimally.

Precautions

• If you set the display format to HDR/Dolby Vision and turn off "Match Dynamic Range," Apple TV will attempt to "upgrade" all videos to HDR/Dolby Vision, even if the original video is not. This may lead to some playback anomalies.
• For OLED screens, prolonged output in HDR or Dolby Vision may shorten the screen's lifespan.

I am Sony

How about setting up Sony with ATV? It is recommended to set the TV to 4K SDR and turn on the Match Rate and Dynamic Range. This way, when I play 4K HDR videos, it will switch to HDR, and if I play 4K Dolby videos, it will switch to Dolby. This makes our video switching more enjoyable!

Frequently Asked Questions

• Ensure that the "Display Format" settings on Apple TV include HDR and Dolby Vision options.
• Ensure that automatic range matching is turned on so that VidHub can correctly enable HDR.
• Try turning off frame rate matching if there are still issues with video display.
• Last Resort: Set the "Display Format" to HDR or Dolby Vision and turn off dynamic range matching to force videos to play in HDR or Dolby Vision format.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter overly bright video colors or no video output, try the following steps:

• Restart Apple TV and your TV.
• Check all connections, especially the HDMI cables.
• Ensure that your TV's HDMI input supports 4K and HDR, and try changing ports.
• Use an HDMI cable marked "Compatible Dolby Vision," with a recommendation for version 2.1 or higher to ensure optimal compatibility and performance.
• Remove any HDMI switch boxes, splitters, or other accessories that may interfere with the HDMI signal.