HDR or Dolby Vision Not Showing? An AI Diagnosis Prompt

I'm not getting {format} on my TV and I want to find the weak link.

My chain, from source to screen:
- App and plan: {app_and_plan}
- Streaming device and its video settings: {device_settings}
- Receiver or soundbar in between (if any): {in_between}
- HDMI cable: {cable}
- TV model and which HDMI input: {tv_input}
- What the TV or app shows instead: {what_i_see}

Go through the chain link by link. For each link, say whether it can block {format}, and how I can check it from the couch. Then list the 3 most likely culprits for my exact setup in order. Don't assume. If a detail is missing, say what to look up.

◆ Tested on Claude Opus 5.5 · October 5, 2026. The example below is that model's actual output for the sample details shown. AI answers vary between runs, so check anything important.

Example input

• format: Dolby Vision
• app_and_plan: Netflix Standard plan
• device_settings: Apple TV 4K, format set to 4K SDR, Match Range on
• in_between: soundbar with HDMI passthrough
• cable: the one that came with the soundbar
• tv_input: LG OLED, HDMI 2
• what_i_see: Netflix shows “HD”, no Dolby Vision badge

Example output

Link by link:

• App and plan: blocking. Netflix only streams Dolby Vision and 4K on its Premium plan. Standard is 1080p, which matches the “HD” you’re seeing. Check: Account › Plan details.
• Device settings: fine as set. 4K SDR with Match Range lets the Apple TV switch to Dolby Vision for content that has it. That’s the recommended setup.
• Soundbar passthrough: can block it. Many soundbars pass HDR10 but not Dolby Vision, or only on one input. Check: the soundbar’s spec sheet for “Dolby Vision passthrough”.
• Cable: possible. Older bundled cables may not carry 4K HDR reliably. Check: swap in a cable labelled Premium High Speed or Ultra High Speed.
• TV input: possible. LG TVs need “HDMI Ultra HD Deep Colour” turned on for that input. Check: Settings › General › Devices › HDMI Settings.

Most likely culprits, in order:

1. Your Netflix plan (this alone explains “HD”).
2. Soundbar passthrough.
3. Deep Colour turned off on HDMI 2.

Test 2 and 3 for free by plugging the Apple TV straight into the TV and opening Dolby Vision content in Apple TV+ or Disney+.

Tips

• Give the AI what the screen shows instead (“HD”, “HDR10”, no badge). That’s the best clue.
• Testing with a direct device-to-TV connection rules out the soundbar and cable in one go.
• New to the formats? Read 4K HDR explained.