📺 I am not 100% certain that the Apple TV has trouble handshaking with my Vizio TV, or if it’s Vizio, that is problematic.
🤝 What do I mean by a handshake?
For example, when encoding changes from 4K to Dolby Vision, the devices need to communicate the change in format through a standard protocol (handshake) before streaming the content.
The Gripe
I know that I’m not the only person with this issue. There is a thread on r/VIZIO_Official/ from two years ago!
When the handshake fails, the screen goes blank, and it takes several seconds for the handshake to complete. Even worse, when you are watching a movie — it really breaks the experience.
🎛 I have tried different HDMI cables, including certified cables. I have tried all permutations of settings on the Apple TV and the Vizio TV. I have searched endlessly on forums and tried every solution provided by the community.
Sometimes I think the problem has been fixed (perhaps after a tvOS update), but it never lasts.
🤫 Apple and Vizio both remain silent on the issue. Looking at search results, other TV manufacturers appear to have handshake problems too.
When Vizio releases firmware upgrades, I cross my fingers🤞and hope the problem goes away.
The Solution
🤷♂️ I am lost. As a techie, not knowing where the problem is and if a fix will ever arrive is painful and frustrating. I don’t need to purchase a new TV. However, I plan to purchase the new Apple TV soon as it drops.
At this point, I’m willing to try almost anything — if you have a fix, please let me know.