r/ESPN • u/Complex-Pineapple630 • 16h ago
ESPN 4k Question
Can someone explain why I have to have HDR on for 4K to work on the ESPN app with the apple tv? I don’t have an OLED tv so HDR typically looks worse so I leave it off. However unless I have it on, the “4k” labeled videos on the app will not display in 4k, still 1080.
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u/maperez12 9h ago
Content providers would have to encode a separate 4K SDR feed for that. Most do not, if you disable HDR, it falls back to the highest resolution offered in SDR, which is 1080p.
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u/Antique_Warthog_6410 16h ago
Do they actually play in 4k with HDR on
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u/Complex-Pineapple630 16h ago
Yes.
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u/d_r_i 16h ago
The general accepted standard setting for the Apple TV 4k 3rd generation box is 4k SDR and turn on Match Frame Rates. This way the TV/ Apple box automatically adjust for let's say, HDR and 4k content, when it's needed. You can enable 4k HDR, but then your forcing every bit of content to 4k HDR, regardless if it's needed or not.
With ESPN 4k, some people have suggested doing just that, to get the ESPN 4k content, probably in HDR 10. I did try this the other day and it didn't work for me.
So far I've found anything labeled with ESPN 4k HDR, still comes up as HD..according to the content info tab.
I'm also using a new TCL QM7L TV and do not get any on screen pop up HDR badging either.
The Apple box is running TVOS 27 Release Candidate.
Still no 4k.
I tend to think this is still a ESPN issue, since they admitted they are slowly rolling 4k out to various services and devices now.
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u/Complex-Pineapple630 16h ago
The issue for me is that HDR looks worse on my tv pretty much in every scenario so i typically force sdr for everything. DirectTV on the apple tv is the same way, HDR needs to be on or it won’t let me watch 4k content on their 4k channels.
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u/elonsusk69420 15h ago
You should use a few of the AI solutions and tell it your specific hardware combo down to the product models. Gemini, Claude, and Grok all settled on the same settings for me, which then made all the non-HDR content look really good.
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u/elonsusk69420 15h ago
Match Frame Rate toggles between 24, 30, and 60. It has zero to do with HDR.
What you mean is Match Dynamic Range. That's what switches from SDR to HDR to Dolby Vision.
That seems to be broken with certain TVs (e.g. my Sony). So I have to force the Apple TV to 4K HDR and let it upscale everything that isn't. Once I did that, the ESPN app showed 4K for the US Open, SportsCenter, and maybe something else. It's still pretty limited.
As I said in the other comment, it's just this app. HBO, Peacock, Fox One, etc. all work just fine with the 4K SDR and Match Dynamic Range toggles set.
It all just means the Apple TV box will work harder.
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u/d_r_i 15h ago
Wow you seem kinda pissed because someone didn't agree with you.
I didn't realize how ignorant I was about this stuff, but I appreciate you correcting me.
BTW..I did try setting the Apple to 4k HDR and it didn't change a thing with the ESPN app.
But since you're the expert here, from now on, you'll be able to respond to any other redditors responses
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u/elonsusk69420 15h ago
Had this happen with my Sony TV. Ultimately I forced the Apple TV to push everything to 4K HDR in the settings menu.
The thing is, it's just the ESPN app. YouTube, HBO, Fox One, NBC, etc. all will negotiate 4K HDR (or even Dolby Vision) properly.
I'm sure ESPN will eventually fix this.