Quality is poor compared to built in Google TV, cant figure out why?

Platforms Apple TV
1

Hi folks,

I bought an Apple Tv 4K with the intention of using it with Jellyfin and Infuse. People rave about Infuse, so I thought I would give it a go. The UI is great and set up with Jellyfin was seamless!

However, my picture quality is awful and I cant figure out why. Comparison between my TCL QM7 built in Google TV vs the pixelated Infuse on Apple TV.

Ive tried changing the Match Frame Rate and Dynamic Range. Ive tried chaning to all the different 4K settings (Dolby Vision, HDR, HDR+, SDR AND either the 59 or 60hz). Tried RGB High/Log and both 4.x.x options that I get. Ethernet, Wifi - no difference. Tried six different HDMi cables, no difference. TV options are the same between HDMI and built in - no smoothing or inteligent crap is enables. HDMI set to performance mode - although I did try on Auto and normal settings modes.

I am at an absolute loss why the quality is so bad. Its not transcoding, so there is no logs or anything on the Jellyfin server.

Any suggestions what I should try next? I am about to pull out the few remaining hairs that I have on my head!

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Thanks

2

Hmm, that does seem strange.

Are you seeing this with many different videos or just this one Seinfeld video?

Usually when picture issues like this come up they can be resolved by enabling the Match Content options on the Apple TV. Having these on will allow the Apple TV to switch to the correct video output mode based on the content type being played.

There can also be TV settings that can play a factor, and often times each HDMI input can have its own settings. Some TVs also have ‘special’ HDMI ports which have enhanced features, where the other ports have limited features. I don’t have any experience with TCL TVs, so I can’t say if this is the case but it could be possible. These HDMI settings would not apply to the TV’s internal player.

It’s probably not an issue with the video itself, but if you wanted to send in a sample for us to test here you are more than welcome to send one in.

3

Hi there,

Its definitely odd!

I tried switching my HDMI port to the ‘Main’ one (120hz listed instead of the 60hz), but that didnt change anything.

Also, I tried a few different shows from various eras (My Name is Earl, Superstore) and they all have that kinda strange pixelation going on.

I also tried running the video straight off Jellyfin on my server - which is hooked up to my TV - and it runs fine.

So I think there is definitely something going on at the Apple TV level, which is odd. Swiftfin is also showing the same pixelated/blurry image.

4

Have you tried any other video players on the Apple TV?

5

to get to a “known good” base point, set the AppleTV as below

Match Frame Rate - enabled
Match Dynamic Range - enabled

for the display resolution set it to 4K SDR (and set the refresh rate to whatever is native for your TV, could be 60Hz or 50Hz)

HDMI YCbCr
Chroma 4:4:4

bear in mind that, in your example, Seinfeld won’t be in 4k so there will be upscaling taking place. it’s possible your TV is better at upscaling then the AppleTV.

i’d also make sure your TV doesn’t have any image “enhancement” settings enabled for the HDMI port you have the AppleTV connected to. turn them all off and if your TV has it set the image preset to FILMMAKER mode.

i have Seinfeld in 720p. the later seasons are better in quality than the earlier ones, but i don’t see “bad” pixelation other than what i would expect from old tv shows.

you said you tried 6 HDMI cables, are all those cables at least HDMI 2.0 spec?

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