For most people the best Apple TV 4K setup is a 4K SDR output with Match Dynamic Range switched on. The Apple TV then stays in SDR for menus and normal TV, and switches to HDR or Dolby Vision only when the content actually uses it. The exceptions are a TV that handles format switching badly.
Quick answer: Choose a 4K SDR output at the frame rate your TV supports, then turn on Match Dynamic Range and Match Frame Rate. Switch to a fixed Dolby Vision mode only if you have a reason to.
Why 4K SDR plus Match Dynamic Range?
If you fix the output to HDR or Dolby Vision, the Apple TV also sends that format to menus and SDR content. That can make the home screen look dim or oddly coloured on some TVs. With Match Dynamic Range on, the Apple TV only changes mode when a video asks for it. Apple's guidance places these under Settings > Video and Audio > Match Content.
- Go to Settings > Video and Audio > Format and pick a 4K SDR option.
- Go to Match Content and switch on Match Dynamic Range.
- Turn on Match Frame Rate as well. UK broadcasts run at 50 Hz and films at 24, so matching helps with judder. See HDR, Dolby Vision and frame rate.
The screen goes blank for a moment as modes change. That is normal.
What do the chroma options mean?
Chroma describes how much colour detail is sent. The Format menu may offer choices such as 4:4:4 or 4:2:2 alongside the SDR and HDR modes; which ones appear depends on your Apple TV model, your TV and your HDMI cable. 4:4:4 keeps full colour detail, which suits text and menus; lower values save bandwidth. If you see sparkles, flicker or a black screen, drop to a lower setting or try another certified HDMI cable. The Apple TV can run a test for formats it is unsure about.
When should you not use this setup?
- Black screens or flicker during switching. Some TVs and AV receivers handle changes slowly. A fixed 4K HDR or Dolby Vision mode avoids the switching, at the cost of the menu look.
- A dark picture in some apps. Apple's community pages mention this with Match Dynamic Range on in certain apps. Turn it off and compare.
- No HDR or Dolby Vision on your TV. Stay on SDR and leave Match Dynamic Range off.
- Player apps. The system setting only helps if the app uses it. For live TV players, see Apple TV player setup.
If that didn't work
Write down the TV make and model, the AV receiver if any, the HDMI cable and which format is selected. Run the Apple TV's format test, then try a different HDMI port, because only some TV ports carry full bandwidth.
Tell us your TV and which format worked best for you.