Discussions

[bob5000]

Problem to Fix: My TCL Roku TV has terrible HDR imaging. No amount of adjustments fixes it. HDR shows range from dark to very dark. SDR looks very good so I want to keep all shows in that mode. Despite what the internet claims, there are no secret menus that shut off HDR on my TV. I've seen them all.  I need a fixed 1080P mode or a 4K with HDR turned off, if possible. ( I typically go to a Fire Stick for HDR shows because I can turn HDR off.)

The RF remote on the Roku Stick will not work since it also works in IR mode a little and the TCL TV won't know it needs to ignore the remote.

Possible Remedy: Reset TV in Store Mode and plug Roku Express 4K in HDMI 1. Set up as 1080P if I can't find a Turn HDR Off selection on the settings.

Questions and possible problems: (I have no experience with Store mode and do not want to factory reset without a good chance the problem can be fixed)

Resetting in Store Mode will remove the internet and the main ROKU TV menu. I should be able to tell the TV to start using HDMI 1, the ROKU Express 4K.

What I don't know is how the TV will work in Store Mode.

* Will HDMI-CEC still work so my Hi Fi sound still connects?

* When I press the Home Button on the Express remote, will the TV go to the TCL menu or the Express Menu?

* When in HDMI 1  / Express 4K, will the cursor movements and  the select key still be moving on the TCL TV since both are ROKU devices?

My overall goal is to never see the main screen and only operate the Express. 

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 I despise HDR as the picture is very fussy. Some 'artists' make their shows too dark to see. The best HDR shows are too dark to watch comfortably. SDR may be 'old' but it always works well.  The oddly bright colors in HDR that works aren't that special too me. If The Store Mode fix won't work correctly, then I will need a new TV with good HDR. My research shows I need a QLED as OLED may disappoint. There are only a few bright enough QLED sets - 1000 nits reliably is the minimum to see most shows without excessive darkness once in a while.

Thanks.

[renojim · Accepted solution]

I wouldn't put it in store mode.  If you factory reset it, just don't connect it to the Internet.  It will basically be a "dumb" TV with a minimal Roku interface.  Have it always power on to the Express's input if you're only interested in streaming.  The remote that comes with the Express won't control the TV - they use different codes.  If you get any Express model other than the most basic (i.e., cheapest), the remote that comes with it will have TV controls for the power and volume.

As for your questions (this is for "dumb" mode, not necessarily store mode):

• Yes, HDMI-CEC will still be functional
• Yes, if you enable "1-touch play" in the Express's menu (Settings->System->Control other devices)
• As previously stated, TVs and Roku devices use different code sets, so one remote won't work to control the other type of device

It really doesn't matter if you get a stick or an Express.  I personally don't like that the sticks require a special cable that can only be obtained from Roku.  People with a model 3810 stick can no longer obtain the cable for their devices, so their sticks are useless if that cable fails.

As a side note, my personal preference for all so-called "smart" TVs (Roku or otherwise) is to set them up as a "dumb" TV and use an attached streaming device.

[bob5000]

Edit the next day:

I tried your idea with a slight change that made it even easier to switch over. It worked perfectly. I did not need to disconnect the network or do a factory reset and HDMI 1, in this case, supported the Express 4K as it should.

Beforehand, I verified the codes on an existing Roku Express 4K Do Not control the Roku screen on the TCL Roku TV.  This test remote had no effect on anything on the TCL Roku TV.  A few years ago I had just the opposite experience when trying the same thing using a new Roku Stick. Maybe I did something wrong back then.

1) I first configured a Roku Express 4K on another TV so the change over would be easier overall. It was a nice surprise to see that Roku made apps signing into a new device about 1000% easier. Not as tedious as I expected

2) I plugged the Express 4K into the TCL Roku TV and pressing any button the Express 4K remote changed the TCL Roku TV to HDMI 1. There was no bleed over from the Express 4K to the TCL Roku TV. Or vice versa. The TCLRoku Remote only works on the TCL side. The Express 4K remote only affects the Express 4K.

3) I need 2 remotes for family purposes. So I needed to reconfigure a 2nd remote to the new Express 4K. Only Roku remotes with the power and volume buttons work reliably. Some 1-click after market remotes prefer TCL Roku TVs, but will work on other TVs with a Roku player. I took a genuine remote from another room and configured it for the TCL TV / Express 4K and put the 1-click TCL remote in the other room and configured it for that TV.

Done. No need to factory reset anything. Everything works perfectly. The Express 4K is set to 4K picture / No HDR. Life is good again.

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Original reply:

That all sounds reasonable and I plan to give it a try. If it works I can put off buying a replacement TV for a while.

I looked up TVs with 1000+ nits sustained and there are very few and only about 5 rise above all the others as highly recommended by sites that review TVs. Perhaps another 5 - 10 sets are bright enough to support most HDR streaming videos and they cost less but each has gotchas mentioned in reviews that would detract from one being a main living room TV set. In general all are QLED as OLED does not get bright enough for everything artsy directors consider to be their masterpieces. Very few sets today, overall, come anywhere near 1000 nits of brightness sustained or otherwise.

Good HDR reproduction is supposed to require 1000+ nits of brightness, although not all HDR video is the same. Some shows are filmed so that lower powered sets will provide a decent picture. Amazon Prime is the worst for me as some HDR shows there look like they were filmed in a dark closet. HULU does a decent but not perfect job with HDR for lower powered sets. 

And, I actually see HDR as a difference only and certainly not better in appearance.  Old Fashioned SDR always looks fine to me and any old TV will do a good job with it.

My other alternatives are to switch over to FireTV or GoogleTV. Both have cluttered screens. FireTV is unreliable in controlling HDR on/off. I don't have any experience with GoogleTV and am not interested in a new hobby of testing streaming players.