AppleTV 4K 2021 won’t play 4K Dolby Vision files

Plex Players Streaming Devices
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Hi,

I’m trying to get some files to play on our Plex server. It’s running on an M1 Mac Mini.

The file is .mkv and has Dolby Vision profile 5, level 6. From what I’ve read, this should work on AppleTV 4K 2021 or newer . Instead, I get a black image with a white spinner in the center of the screen but the audio will play. I’ve tried this on two different AppleTV units setup on different TV and it won’t work. I tried on a coupe year old Roku Ultra which just said “can’t direct play because it’s not enabled” but it is enabled - at least on the apps themselves (Roku and AppleTV). I checked on all of them. I tried to play it on Plex web but it plays for about two seconds (does show the picture though) then says ”File unplayable, Color space is unsupported.” (sort of makes sense given my iPad Pro doesn’t have DV support but it did web play on my Emby server web interface on the same device). However, when I tried to play the same file on a 6 year old TCL/Roku TV using the built in app, it played flawlessly. So it doesn’t appear to be an issue with the file or encoding.

I’ve checked the settings and automatically adjust quality is set to off and Use old video player is set to off (so it’s using the newer enhanced player). Play smaller videos at original quality is set to on. Direct Play is set to On and there is no option showing for Direct Streaming.

I’m puzzled because I know that improvements were recently made specifically for the PMS Server and AppleTV and it is compatible with this profile (5) of Dolby Vision. So, this should work. Does the H.264 settings matter for this (it’s H.265/HEVC so I wouldn’t think so but I wanted to be sure I didn’t need to increase that setting).

What setting am I missing somewhere or what do I need to make this work? Is there something on the server settings I don’t know about? Why does Roku say that direct play isn’t enabled when it is, at least on the Roku app itself (same for ATV). I’d really appreciate help getting this sorted out.

Thanks so much in advance!

In case it helps, here’s the info from the file info within Plex UI:

  • Codec HEVC
  • Bitrate 16455 kbps
  • D O V I B L Present true
  • D O V I Level 6
  • D O V I Present true
  • D O V I Profile 5
  • D O V I R P U Present true
  • D O V I Version 1.0
  • Bit Depth 10
  • Chroma Location left
  • Chroma Subsampling 4:2:0
  • Codec ID dvhe
  • Coded Height 2160
  • Coded Width 3840
  • Color Range pc
  • Frame Rate 23.976 fps
  • Height 2160
  • Level 5.0
  • Profile main 10
  • Ref Frames 1
  • Stream Identifier 1
  • Width 3840
  • Display Title 4K DoVi (HEVC Main 10)
  • Extended Display Title 4K DoVi (HEVC Main 10)

Server Version#: Version 1.30.1.6497
Player Version#: Latest AppleTV App

2

I am experiencing the same issue with DV profile 5 movies. Just get a spinning circle with audio playing. I can play DV profile 8 movies fine on the Apple TV 4k. I have been waiting and hoping the Plex team will fix this issue.

3

This is so frustrating. I don’t understand it. The ATV 4K (2021 or above) BLOWS away the processing power of a 6 year old TCL/Roku TV…and yet, it plays the files flawlessly.

In addition, went back to my Emby server and have it running side by side with Plex. Used to use Emby much more but with the Plex updates over the last 18 months, had been using it, instead.

However, Emby can play those files flawlessly - on both of my AppleTV units, on the old Roku TV, and even on my older Roku Ultra (though since it doesn’t actually support DV, the colors are weirdly green and purple, which is normal & expected behavior). Plex won’t play it on anything but the old Roku TV.

Please Plex, let us know what’s going on & how it fix it. I know Plex has made some upgrades the last 6 months on transcoding on MacOS and the AppleTV app but it’s gotta be able to play these files.

4

I just use Infuse instead of Plex on my Apple TV 4K to play DV files.

5

I know. But when one has a lifetime PlexPass, it’s not ideal to have to go to another app or server to play media. It should work. DV is pretty much standard these days. it’s not new.

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