"Plex for Mac" (desktop) doesn't support HDR? --yet the browser does?

Plex Players
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Server Version#: 4.101.1
Player Version#: 1.64.2.3546-5107ec40

I’m using Plex for Mac on my HDR-compatible 2023 Mac mini M2 Pro, on a HDR-compatible 4K HDR TV.

  • The standalone player does NOT do HDR.
  • The Plex WEB player DOES do HDR
  • Numerous other standalone players (Infuse, IINA, Optimus, Movist Pro) ALL do HDR

Just making sure I’m not going crazy here - is this correct? That you can’t watch HDR content on the standalone player - it only works in a web browser client? The desktop player is also set to “Play Original Quality”, and there’s no stuttering, so it’s not a bandwidth issue from what I can tell…

I’m not using the “Plex HTPC (for macOS Home Theater PCs)” fyi, since you can’t control that with a mouse/trackpad for some weird reason… (just in case someone asks me why I’m not using that).

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If this helps, here’s a picture of Plex in Google Chrome browser on LEFT - hope you can see the stark difference on your monitor, but it’s a SUPER bright pure white.

RIGHT is the Plex app/program on Mac where is WAY less bright and vibrant because it’s not HDR.

3

Interesting findings. I do agree that the standalone player not supporting HDR is pretty annoying given that mpv supports HDR playback on macOS through players like IINA (as you mentioned). I hope that HDR support for the desktop app is in development as I have quite a few movies that have HDR and watching them with that would be pretty cool. (I have a 14 inch M1 Macbook Pro and HDR doesn’t work through the desktop app although I will test out the web version when I have time).