Roku is looking into complaints about washed-out HDR streams - The Verge

Roku Investigates Reports of Washed-Out Colors in HDR Streaming

A growing number of Roku users have taken to social media and forums to report an issue with the recent software update on their streaming devices. The problem, which has been observed by multiple users, involves washed-out colors when streaming High Dynamic Range (HDR) content.

The Problem

Many users have reported that when watching HDR content on their Roku devices, the colors appear significantly muted and washed out. This issue seems to be isolated to HDR content, with standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) content appearing unaffected by the problem.

User Reports

On various online forums and social media platforms, users have shared screenshots and videos of the affected content, demonstrating how the colors appear faded and muted when playing back HDR streams. Some users have also reported that the issue is not limited to specific types of content, but rather appears across a range of HDR titles.

Investigation Underway

Roku has acknowledged the problem and is currently investigating its cause. The company's engineering team is working diligently to identify the root cause of the issue and implement a fix as soon as possible.

"We are aware of the reports from some of our users regarding washed-out colors when streaming HDR content, and we take these issues seriously," said a Roku spokesperson in a statement. "We are actively investigating the matter and will provide an update on our progress as more information becomes available."

Possible Causes

While the exact cause of the problem is still unknown, several theories have emerged among users and tech experts. Some speculate that the software update may be incompatible with certain HDR content, while others believe that a bug in the device's color processing algorithm could be the culprit.

"It's possible that there's an issue with the way our devices are handling HDR colors," said one user who has been experiencing the problem. "I've tried playing back some of my own HDR content on other devices and it looks fine, so I'm hoping this is just a Roku-specific issue."

Fix Expected Soon

Roku officials have assured users that they are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. In a statement, the company said: "We apologize for any inconvenience this may be causing our users and appreciate their patience and understanding as we work to resolve the issue. We will provide an update on our progress as more information becomes available."

Recommendations

In the meantime, users who are experiencing the problem with washed-out colors in HDR streaming are advised to try the following:

  • Check if you are running the latest version of the Roku operating system.
  • Try playing back HDR content on other devices to see if the issue is device-specific.
  • Contact Roku's support team for assistance or to report any further issues.

Conclusion

The issue with washed-out colors in HDR streaming has left many Roku users frustrated and concerned. However, by staying informed and following updates from Roku's engineering team, affected users can stay ahead of the problem and ensure a smooth streaming experience.