HDMI information gets lost in translation? Looking for suggestions on how to trouble-shoot

[Strytten]

I'm relatively new to the forum and I apologize if there are other threads on this - feel free to redirect me. I'm looking for suggestions on how to trouble-shoot the following problem: My new LG 65" OLED g. 4 does not always play HDR material using the HDR settings that I have configured (expert/dark) even though the menu says that is set to that. The picture has way too much contrast and is very dark, and also looks like "soap opera." (This was never an issue with my old TV, a 1st generation LG 65" OLED). If I power the new TV off and power it on, then it comes up with the correct image. But if I am streaming/binge-ing (latest version of Apple TV) I have to do this at the start of every episode. This also happens with HDR discs that I play on my Panasonic UB-9000P1K. The Apple TV and Panasonic are routed through my JBL SDP-55 AV receiver. The only thing I've tried so far is replacing my existing HDMI cables with new "ultra-certified" cables. Thanks in advance for any further ideas/suggestions to trouble-shoot this.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Ah... yes. One of the great frustrations of modern TVs.

I'm going to tag @Robert Zohn, because he might know better than me, but my older LG OLED would only take settings for 4K HDR if the settings were applied while the TV was attempting to playback 4K HDR material. It was really frustrating.

For you, it sounds like you have settings that work for 4K HDR sometimes, but the TV will switch to non-4K HDR settings when you're switching between 4K HDR shows... or, when you watch discs. I'm curious, when you watch discs does your TV show the proper mode until you get to the disc menu? While you're watching a 4K HDR show (and the TV appears to be working correctly), have physically gone into your TV settings to be sure they look correct? Meaning, have you confirmed your TV is using the settings you've asked it to use while watching 4K HDR?

 

[Robert Zohn]

For LG's G4 the very best Picture Mode is the "FILMMAKER" Picture mode.

The FILMMAKER Picture Mode disables all of the Motion Interpolation that inserts artificial frames between the original frames of the video and causes the Soap Opera effects with all content.

 

[Strytten]

Thank you Todd and Robert for weighing in - your comments guided me to resolving the problem. I think it is fantastic that this forum exists and that people like you are so generous sharing your knowledge.

For anyone who is interested, here is a quick summary of how the problem got resolved:
1. By way of background, I bought the TV and also had it calibrated last weekend.
2. Following Todd's advice, I paid close attention to the TV entering HDR mode with several different HDR shows from online and disc. At initial menus, the TV seemed fine. But with certain material, it consistently changed picture either while the program was transitioning from "previously on ..." to the new episode, or during the credits for the new episode. I have pictures and will try to attach. (1st pic is correct, 2nd pic is the incorrect setting) The menu and settings in the TV did not show any change - just the picture.
3. However, the TV was going to "Cinema" mode, and Robert recommended Filmmaker mode, so I changed the TV setting to Filmmaker, and all my problems went away.

Thanks gentlemen!

For extra credit - what show was I watching when I took these pictures?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Fantastic!

What you experienced is one of my gripes with modern TV tech.

It shouldn’t be this difficult.

@Strytten, I’ve been at industry events - including Robert’s TV shootout - where a problem like this pops up and multiple experts are brainstorming on how to solve it. It’s time like that where I’m left to wonder how the average consumer is supposed to trouble shoot or even know they need to trouble shoot!

Frustrating.

Manufacturers haven’t helped the problem by coming up with brand-specific names for all of the various technologies and modes on their equipment. There should be unified terminology. And then there’s the technology creators that license their tech to content creators…. Somewhere along the line, the ball has been dropped on how the technology is used (meaning content) and deployed (displays).

I can tell you, there are many people… in fact I’d say most people… that would experience your issue and not even know to ask. They’d just assume it’s how it is or get frustrated and stop watching 4K content all together.

Anyhow, happy ending for you! That filmmaker mode was a great call because it analyzes content and can accurate put the TV in the right state.

We’re lucky to have Robert along for the ride with us!!

 

[Todd Anderson]

Oh… as for the show…

No idea. Hints?

 

[Strytten]

Oh… as for the show…

No idea. Hints?

Opening scene of season one episode one of a show streaming on Hulu.

 

[Strytten]

I'm relatively new to the forum and I apologize if there are other threads on this - feel free to redirect me. I'm looking for suggestions on how to trouble-shoot the following problem: My new LG 65" OLED g. 4 does not always play HDR material using the HDR settings that I have configured (expert/dark) even though the menu says that is set to that. The picture has way too much contrast and is very dark, and also looks like "soap opera." (This was never an issue with my old TV, a 1st generation LG 65" OLED). If I power the new TV off and power it on, then it comes up with the correct image. But if I am streaming/binge-ing (latest version of Apple TV) I have to do this at the start of every episode. This also happens with HDR discs that I play on my Panasonic UB-9000P1K. The Apple TV and Panasonic are routed through my JBL SDP-55 AV receiver. The only thing I've tried so far is replacing my existing HDMI cables with new "ultra-certified" cables. Thanks in advance for any further ideas/suggestions to trouble-shoot this.

Although I initially posted that my problem described in my opening post (with photos) had resolved after switching to "Filmmaker" mode, it turns out this problem is continuing for me in the "Filmmaker" setting, too. I'm not sure why it seemed to be working at first, and then relapsed. So I'm back in trouble-shooting mode, and welcome any suggestions to trouble-shoot this. If this were an investigation (another hint as to what I was watching), the clues include the following facts:
- TV (LG OLED g. 4) is new and was calibrated upon arrival by an experienced calibrator.
- TV seems to work flawlessly, with the possible exception of this issue.
- Old TV (LG OLED about 5-6 yrs old) did not exhibit this problem, and the rest of my home theatre setup hasn't changed. (I stream content from 4k AppleTV, and play discs on Panasonic UB9000. I use a JBL SDP-55 AV receiver. All connections are HDMI, using ultra-certified high speed cables.)
- Problem starts at some point during the beginning "credit" sequence of certain HDR movies or TV shows, but not all. It consistently happens at the same point each time I watch a particular show. In one TV show that is available on line and in my disc collection, the problem appears at roughly the same point in the show regardless of whether I am streaming or playing the disc.
- The problem does not arise with Dolby Vision material, and it does not arise with SDR material.
- I have double-checked my menu settings before, during, and after this problem when it occurs, and they do not appear to be changing, even though the picture has changed. They show the Filmmaker setting and the various sub-settings with no change whatsoever.

Thanks in advance for any ideas or suggestions. One thought is for me to contact LG - does anyone happen to have a good contact there they can share with me?