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HBO Max Working on App Fix for Playback Errors on Apple TV 4K Devices

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HBO is working on a fix for "can't play title" errors that some users have been encountering in the HBO Max app for Apple TV, according to The Verge.

hbo max apple tv shadow
The issue, which has been widely reported by users, appears to occur on all generations of ‌Apple TV‌ 4K running tvOS 16.1 and the latest HBO Max app version 52.50.1, released November 16.

While some users have found the problem to be intermittent, others are unable to stream content at all without encountering the playback errors, although some have found workarounds that include force quitting the app, logging out of the app, reinstalling it, or restarting their ‌Apple TV‌.

HBO's SVP of communications Chris Willard told The Verge that they are aware of the issues and working on a fix that will be included in an upcoming update to the app.

Until then, two temporary troubleshooting tips suggested by HBO Max customer support include turning off HDR support (in Settings -> Video and Audio, change the Format to SDR, and disable Match Content, Match Dynamic Range, and Match Frame Rate options) and changing the resolution from 4K to 1080p or 720p.

Tag: HBO Max

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Top Rated Comments

S
Sheepish-Lord
50 months ago
I was wondering what was going on. I recently dropped HBO though, they were good when they were doing same day theatrical releases during COVID but with all their reported issues behind the scenes with their parent company WB, uninteresting (to me) new tv shows, and weak new releases scheduled I couldn't justify it. Additionally, I have a feeling once WB releases the new HBO+Discovery combined plans the price will undoubtedly increases because that's apparently the formula these days for subscription models.

No doubt, pirating will be coming back with the way things are going.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
archi penko Avatar
archi penko
50 months ago
Shutting off HDR at main level is not a fix. The whole point why people bought this Apple TV version is because it has HDR/Dolby Vision, now you’re asking them to turn it off, which affects other platforms too?!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
archi penko Avatar
archi penko
50 months ago

For me, even pausing a title for a few will cause the error “this title cannot be played” to pop up. I have to back out of the app, select the episode again to get it to play. Very annoying.
It happens to me too. Instead of backing out of the app, try to play another show entirely (not another episode of the same show). It should work again also.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jarman92 Avatar
jarman92
50 months ago

Shutting off HDR at main level is not a fix. The whole point why people bought this Apple TV version is because it has HDR/Dolby Vision, now you’re asking them to turn it off, which affects other platforms too?!
Exactly. Nor is watching content in 720p. Didn’t even know that was an option in 2022.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
MauiPa
50 months ago
Hbo has never been known for their quality software, not a surprise. Given that each platform has a set of tools to make it easy for developers, hey let’s write our own that doesn’t work, cause why not? And doesn’t everyone want a different interface on every streaming app?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
1
1557750
50 months ago
For me, even pausing a title for a few will cause the error “this title cannot be played” to pop up. I have to back out of the app, select the episode again to get it to play. Very annoying.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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