Many have reported the color/contrast distortion problem when playing HEVC-encoded content oin MKV files on newer model Rokus. See this thread on the Roku forum that currently has 300 replies:
The problem is characterized by extremely overly-red and saturated images. It only affects Roku models that have a new upscaler feature. It has been found to be triggered by the color and color mastering information in the MKV header. If that information is removed with an MKV header editor and the file is direct played, the bug goes away.
Unfortunately, if Plex direct streams content to Roku, it uses and MKV container and puts the color mastering info back in!
This whole thing could be easily worked around in Plex. A couple of years ago the Plex developers were kind enough to give us a workaround to the AAC stutter problem. A very similar thing could work around the Color Distortion Bug.
If the Plex Server were simply to suppress the color and color mastering info when creating an MKV container for Direct Streaming, this problem would go away. The behavior could be turned on and off by a setting in the Player, just like the AAC stutter workaround.
Please Plex devs – give us a Roku Color Distortion workaround! Roku seems completely uninterested in fixing the bug.
Here is how to reproduce the problem: play any file that is HEVC-encoded using the BT.709 colorspace. Force Direct Stream. The problem also happens using Direct Play if the file was originally in an MKV container with color information in the header.
Here is how to make the problem go away: If the file was in an MP4 container, force Direct Play. if it was in an MKV container, remove the color information with a tool like MKVToolNix, and then force Direct Play.
I think I also had this problem, I think the workaround that worked for me was changing the display options in roku settings to a non-HDR version. Obviously not ideal if you like HDR but I personally dont care for it so I was fine with disabling it
Exactly where are you seeing this changing the display options to a non-HDR version because I’m not seeing it. The display is current set at 1080 and still seeing red
Just got a streaming stick 4k and probably 95% of my content on my plex server is x265… Was so disappointed that everything looked like it was filmed in the dark… completely unwatchable. I read through the roku thread and I’m not really willing to recode thousands of files as a workaround to this bug. I’m using just a regular 1080p TV… I even tried turning the Roku resolution down to 720p with no luck.
The ennetran recompressor program works great and in seconds striping the color headers…No moving files or reencoding anything…But it ONLY works if files are direct playing…if the audio is something that Plex has to transcode…it won’t work…I’m so lucky that most everything I have is AC3 or AAC stereo. I’m with you… It’s SOOO STUPID… I can’t think of a logical reason they haven’t fixed a major bug like this unless they purposely don’t want people streaming their own media? But they want you using apps exclusively? I could be wrong.
