My Apple TV 4K box flickers the screen when watching content.

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My Apple TV 4K box flickers the screen when watching content.

Hello Apple Support Community.

I have recently bought a new Samsung Smart TV QLED Q80A (65*). I am having some issues with my Apple TV 4K box. While watching anything on Apple TV the screen randomly turns off for a second or so and then comes back. Sometimes this frequently or not so frequently.

I have also tried messing around with settings in the Apple TV with no luck. I tried enabling the HDR on and off and it still turns off the screen randomly. This is getting frustrating for me a little bit.

Does anyone why this may be occuring. Btw I did buy a Apple TV 4K Refurbished box as I found a good deal.

Posted on Jan 13, 2022 9:45 PM

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Answer 1

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saigol92 Author

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Jan 17, 2022 9:45 PM in response to Urquhart1244

As I mentioned I have tried both 4K SDR and HDR, both have caused the black screen flicker issue. The only

thing I can do is to buy brand new HDMI 2.0 cable 18gbps for Apple TV, as my HDMI cables are 5 years old.

Not sure if it's HDMI 2.0 cable. It only says High Speed HDMI Cable on the wire, don't know which version it is.

Can you reccomend any good hdmi 2.0 cable that is in wall rated, and I would need at least 10 feet in length. I prefer the cable to be a little flexible as I hate the new braided cables they are too rigid and hard to get in to tight spaces.

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Answer 2

saigol92 Author

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Jan 13, 2022 10:41 PM in response to saigol92

Here is a video I uploaded on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odSJs5jye-0 - With HDR On

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD6rLoHhASs With HDR OFF

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Answer 3

saigol92 Author

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Jan 17, 2022 8:02 PM in response to Urquhart1244

I haven't tried connecting the Apple TV to a different TV as I only have one TV.

I have switched the Apple TV to HDMI 2.1 port of my TV and it's fine, no black screen flickering. Works fine on all the settings. I have the 8K 2.1 HDMI cable connected to it. As this cable was connected to my gaming console, so I switched it to the Apple TV.

I plan on purchasing the PS5 conosole in the near future, and I only have one HDMI 2.1 port on my tv and the rest are 2.0 ports. I would need to buy a HDMI switch so my Apple TV doesn't cause the black screen flicker issue.

I purchased the Apple TV 4K on Apple's website from the refurbished page.

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Answer 4

Jan 18, 2022 4:19 AM in response to saigol92

The only thing I can do is to buy brand new HDMI 2.0 cable 18gbps for Apple TV, as my HDMI cables are 5 years old.

Not sure if it's HDMI 2.0 cable. It only says High Speed HDMI Cable on the wire, don't know which version it is.

“High Speed” is an official HDMI designation for 10 Gbps cables. “Premium High Speed” would be the designation for 18 Gbps cables. “Ultra High Speed” would be the designation for 48 Gbps cables. But look for the speed rating on the package or description, though.

I would need at least 10 feet in length.

10 feet is about the limit for HDMI cables, according to some, before a 4K signal gets weakened so that it may need to be boosted. HDMI max length: How long can an HDMI cable be? - Blue Cine Tech

Not sure why you want to keep the streaming box so far away from the TV, but that’s your choice.

Can you recommend …

I would trust branded and labeled cables. No-brand cables do not have a reputation to uphold. Labeled cables are certified by the HDMI authority. For name dropping, I could mention Monoprice and Belkin. Another user here recommended Rocketfish.

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Answer 5

Jan 17, 2022 5:19 PM in response to saigol92

Have you tried connecting the Apple TV to a different TV, to see if the same happens there?

Have you tried connecting the Apple TV with different HDMI cables?

Was the Apple TV 4K refurbished by Apple or by some other reseller? Bring it back if it doesn’t work as advertised.

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Answer 6

Jan 17, 2022 8:55 PM in response to saigol92

Okay. HDMI 2.0 ports are fine for most types of uses (high frame rate (60 Hz) HDR input is supported through HDMI 2.1).

Next, please verify your video settings, to see if the settings are within HDMI 2.0 limits. I would recommend: Video Format: 4K SDR (=baseline for SDR content), 50 or 60 Hz (PAL or NTSC). HDMI Output: YCbCr (not RGB). Chroma 4:2:0 (not 4:2:2 or 4:4:4). Match dynamic range: On (=HDR when available). Match Frame Rate: On.

If all devices in the HDMI chain have HDMI 2.1 ports, then it is more flexible, but the aforementioned should work with HDMI 2.0 ports as well.

Use at least 18 Gbps HDMI cables for use with at least HDMI 2.0 ports.

Use 48 Gbps HDMI cables for use with HDMI 2.1 ports on both devices.

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My Apple TV 4K box flickers the screen when watching content.

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