Apple TV 4K gets promised Quick Media Switching feature to eliminate ‘HDMI bonk’
Boom! No blackout period when switching between video refresh rates
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WhenApplelaunched its excellent third-generationApple TV 4K (2022)in November of (you guessed it) 2022, the company promised to add Quick Media Support (QMS) with a later tvOS update. And lo! The setting option is now showing up for owners of a compatible 2023 TV.
Why should you care? Well, when paired with Apple TV4K’s ‘Match Frame Rate’ function, QMS can seamlessly match frame rates for output in 23.976Hz, 24Hz, 50Hz, 60Hz, and so on without any so-called ‘HDMI bonk’ (aka a momentary black screen of nothingness during transition) or picture interruptions on the TV, as long as other factors remain the same – chiefly, the resolution you’re watching in.How do you get it? As first reported byFlatpanelsHD, QMS can be deployed on Apple TV 4K (2022) by hitting Settings -> Video and Audio -> Match Content -> Quick Media Switching -> On.The useful feature means a more seamless video playback experience (and not a moment lost to a ponderous black screen) when switching between content types, video apps, and thebest streaming services. Hurrah!
Analysis: QMS on Apple TV 4K is a top new feature – but your TV needs support too
So just tweak the settings on the media player and job done? Not quite.
QMS must also be supported on your TV – andLGis the only brand to have officially announced its support for QMS on select 2023OLEDand LCD models, including its 2023LG C3andLG B3OLED TVs.
Can’t decide which of those two sets is a better bet for your household? You’re good, we’ve compiled anLG B3 vs LG C3 explainerto help you choose.
Interestingly (and perhaps a tad bizarrely), FlatpanelsHD also reported that oneSamsung S95C QD-OLEDTV ownerdidsee the menu setting option, which appears only when a compatible TV is connected to Apple TV 4K (2022) …although the user also added that it didn’t actually work with theSamsungS95C.It should also be noted that Apple hasn’t announced plans to support QMS on earlier versions of Apple TV 4K, such as theApple TV 4K (2021), which is still one of thebest streaming devices for your TVdespite having been superseded.
But we’re not ruling out future QMS support from Apple in older devices, just as we’re hoping Samsung might do the decent thing and announce QMS support for itsnewest QLED lineupsoon.
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Becky became Audio Editor at TechRadar in 2024, but joined the team in 2022 as Senior Staff Writer, focusing on all things hi-fi. Before this, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing and reviewing everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance starts with a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo and The Stage. When not writing, she can still be found throwing shapes in a dance studio, these days with varying degrees of success.
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