Applies to: Apple TV 4K or another documented HDR source connected to a TV whose manual identifies supported formats per HDMI input.
The useful distinctions
- Apple notes that some TVs accept HDR only on particular HDMI inputs.
- An input may also require a model-specific enhanced video setting.
- Diagnostic inference to test: A format supported on one port is not evidence that every port supports it.
Read the port-level requirement
A model-level product description can omit the distinction that matters to your installation. Match the source’s intended output to the manual’s input-level information. Keep format and rate together. An advertised feature at one supported timing does not establish support for every timing the player offers. This avoids treating an unavailable option as proof that the content lacks HDR.
Keep the experiment within support
A comparison should use modes the complete chain documents, rather than forcing a mode because another input accepted it. If an enhanced input setting is required, follow the exact TV manual and record its original value. The diagnostic decision is whether the missing format aligns with an input requirement; the manufacturer procedure belongs to that model’s instructions.
Interpret success as path evidence
A working documented input establishes a useful route for the tested format. It does not certify all cables, rates or HDR variants. If the format remains missing on a documented compatible input, preserve the source model, software, cable path and indicator results. That report lets support investigate the remaining negotiation or compatibility question without retesting an input known to lack the required capability.
A focused way to proceed
- Record the source format, rate and physical TV input label.
- Check the TV manual’s capability for that exact input.
- Choose a documented compatible input or common supported format.
- Replay the same known HDR reference and record detection.
- Document any changed mode or input configuration.
Worked example · synthetic
Hypothetical example: a TV manual restricts the desired format to specific inputs. Moving the unchanged source to a documented compatible input makes that mode available. The result explains the old route’s limitation without assigning unsupported capabilities to its other sockets.
When to stop or ask for help
Port names and enhanced-format labels vary. Never generalise one television’s input map to another model.