Image used with permission by copyright holderHey, we get it, TVs are more like computers that ever before, and sometimes software updates don’t go as planned. But that is cold comfort for owners of Sony’s high-end 4K TVs, which were promised a year ago that they’d get support for Dolby Vision. A recent firmware update issued by Sony that was supposed to deliver said HDR support, appears to be missing a key ingredient: Actually being able to see Dolby Vision content from external devices like 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players.
The problem seems to be a glitch in the way Sony is handling Dolby Vision over external ports, including HDMI, and USB, according to Forbes. Consumers trying to play Dolby Vision content from devices like Oppo’s 4K Blu-ray player, or Apple’s 4K version of Apple TV, are finding that their Sony TVs simply aren’t being recognized as Dolby Vision-compatible, even after the update.
Interestingly, the botched update isn’t a total write-off. Streaming Dolby Vision content from services that the TVs can access directly via built-in apps, like Netflix, and Amazon Video, does work. On another bright note, Sony’s commitment to Dolby Vision and HDR isn’t under any doubt. The company debuted a new range of fully Dolby Vision compatible TVs and UltraHD Blu-ray players at CES 2018, so we have every reason to believe that this glitch will be short-lived once Sony figures out what is going on. When it does, perhaps it can pass on what it learned to Apple. Turns out plenty of Apple TV 4K users are none too happy that once the device recognizes an HDR-capable TV, it only sends HDR signals down the HDMI connection. So far, Apple hasn’t released a fix.
As much as this will no doubt prompt eye-rolls from people who have spent some serious cash in preparation for the Dolby Vision goodness that awaits them, there isn’t actually a whole lot of 4K Dolby Vision content on physical media at the moment. So Sony, consider this a very short grace period before your customers start an all-out social media revolt. That wouldn’t be pretty, even in Dolby Vision.
New Apple TV 4K feature only works with a product Apple has killed
One of the Apple TV 4K (2021)'s coolest features appears to be limited to the HomePod, a product the company has officially discontinued. Confused? So are we.
Apple has recently been making announcements that seem, well, poorly thought-out to put it kindly. When it announced that it would be adding a lossless audio option for every single track on Apple Music, it also acknowledged that none of its wireless AirPod line of earbuds and headphones is currently compatible with the new format.
I tried Apple’s Color Balance on two TVs and I can’t decide if I like it
Last week, Apple took the wraps off the second generation of the Apple TV 4K. Among the streaming media device’s new features, which include a completely revamped Siri remote control, Apple showed off a clever color balance calibration tool that lets you optimize the look of your TV using just your iPhone’s front-facing camera.
This raised many questions in the TV-reviewing community. Why would you want to calibrate the output of a single device like the Apple TV 4K when calibrating the TV would result in better image quality for all video sources? How accurate is the iPhone’s camera when compared to pro calibration tools that can cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars? And are the results as stark as Apple suggested in its launch video?
Can’t stand the Apple TV touchpad? You can buy the new Siri remote for $59
If you've been putting up with the touchpad on Apple's Siri remote for the last four years, we've got good news: You can now replace it with something better. The second-generation Siri remote, which was announced at the Apple Spring Loaded event (along with a refresh of the Apple TV 4K) can be purchased separately for $59.
The new remote will work with the 2017 Apple TV 4K as it's now the default remote that ships with the $149 Apple TV HD (which hasn't been updated).
