Dolby Vision

Channels Apple TV
#21

For clarity’s sake, this new support for Dolby Vision allows for all DV profiles to be accessed and used in playback. However, Dolby Vision P7 will be converted down to HDR10, losing any DV specific data and enhancement layers.

As I understand it, tvOS limitations prevent any app on the platform from handling a variety of Dolby Vision cases, including Dolby Vision P7 with MEL or FEL (enhancement layers). Similarly, Atmos with lossless TrueHD is impossible due to tvOS limitations.

Right now, if you want full support for everything under the sun, tvOS ain’t gonna cut it. You have very few options, and the ones you do have are nowhere near as usable as Channels, which is a lovely app.

I wish Apple would allow the Apple TV to be the premier home theater box, but they insist on selling a limited product at a premium price. I spend my casual viewing time in Channels and Plex on Apple TV. But if I want to get the best picture and sound from my BluRay remuxes, I use a bizarro box from Ugoos running CoreELEC. Not for the faint of heart! :joy:

#22

Does this all happen within channels custom player or is there some AVPlayer fallback?

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#23

Channels does not use AVPlayer. Never has, never will.

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#24

While you are certainly correct, and every media enthusiast should know the intricacies of DV profiles, Atmos, and the limitations of AppleTV. I am just thrilled that a product I pay for has improved their player for local media which gets me 90-95% of everything. I can convert P7 to P8, and even bake in the enhancement layers. Only really missing Atmos data. And I can stay on the platform I prefer to use.

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#25

I wholeheartedly agree! I’ve actually decided recently to lean into the Apple TV being my “convenience over accuracy” way to enjoy content. I have set my Apple TV to 4K Dolby Vision 60Hz, disabling “match dynamic range” and “match frame rate,” which eliminates the annoying delays when the mode switches and my projector catches up. Every streaming service that supports DV and Atmos will be sending Profile 5 or 8, and DDP+Atmos, which Apple TV (and Channels!) support perfectly.

I only switch to my Ugoos box when I want to watch a BluRay remux in all its glory.

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#26

Shouldn’t you set it to 24hz then?

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#27

Happy Channels can be this for a discerning videophile!!

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#28

I personally set my apple TV to Dolby Vision 24hz and keep match frame rate on for content that doesn't match that (which is rare for streaming content, usually limited to 25fps for UK stuff), although I use another device for when watching live TV or recordings on the DVR, since that stuff is 60hz. I am using an older TV (LG C6) which supports a maximum of 30hz in DV mode, and most TV content is 24fps over 60hz, so 24fps over 30hz would look pretty bad judder wise, and my older TV doesn't have an automatic frame pacing correction feature either like newer TVs can have. I think for most people who don't have the problems my TV does, setting the Apple TV to 24hz and keeping match frame rate would be the best option, although it does make for slightly laggy control in menus, but it's not really that big of a deal.

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#29

I have gone back and forth, as I’m using a projector. It’s amazing, but it has some limitations, specifically around frame rate. It has native 4K60, HD120, but not 24 Hz. If you send it a 24 Hz signal, it has a special “Movie” MEMC mode that does remarkably well. At the moment I have it locked at 60 and the Apple TV does a serviceable job, but it does look better if I let the projector apply its MEMC.

I have my Ugoos box match frame rate and resolution, and it has hardware-level up conversion of SDR, HDR10, and HDR10+ to Dolby Vision, and it supports the entire DV standard. That gives me
The best video/audio, but the user experience and reliability are lousy. Channels is so good on the Apple TV, I’m spoiled. I wish I had the best parts of both in one box. Alas!

#30

exactly. this is nice to have, but the atv is the limiting factor here. i have very little DV content i'd watch on an appletv. i think i have 1 or two series that are DV and the rest are movies.

sadly, the best way to watch BR rips hdr/dv/atmos/etc is plex with custom mpv on your PC. maybe this will change by 2030 :laughing:

channels does handle high bitrate conetent pretty well though. plex on appletv is a stuttery mess.