Repository navigation
Most (maybe all) HDR playback fails using gpu or gpu-next, works robustly using libmpv #18445
Description
mpv Information
mpv v0.41.0 Copyright © 2000-2025 mpv/MPlayer/mplayer2 projects
libplacebo version: v7.360.1
FFmpeg version: 9.0.1
FFmpeg library versions:
libavcodec 63.1.101
libavdevice 63.1.101
libavfilter 12.1.101
libavformat 63.1.101
libavutil 61.1.101
libswresample 7.1.101
libswscale 10.1.101Other Information
- macOS version: 15.7.3
- Source of mpv: homebrew
- Latest known working version: 0.40 perhaps
- Issue started after the following happened: I am not sure
Reproduction Steps
- Fresh mpv CLI install from homebrew
- start HDR video playback (dv, bt.2020, pq) with --no-config, which seems to default to gpu or gpu-next
- Classic washed out failed HDR playback
- with vo=libmpv and no other config, HDR plays normally. With a range of other config (currently --cocoa-cb-output-csp=display-p3-pq, --target-trc=pq, --target-prim=display-p3), still works normally. Nothing works at all with gpu or gpu-next, and many flags seems to have no effect.
Expected Behavior
HDR stream should at least activate with basic default parameters using gpu or gpu-next
Actual Behavior
HDR stream fails using gpu or gpu-next
Log File
Sample Files
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Xw7Aug5nx3r_hHEFVypTyQ-cD0Anu7cU/view?usp=sharing
I carefully read all instruction and confirm that I did the following:
- I tested and confirmed that the issue exists with the latest release version or newer.
- I provided all required information including system and mpv version.
- I produced the log file with the exact same set of files, parameters, and conditions used in "Reproduction Steps", with the addition of
--log-file=output.txt. - I produced the log file while the behaviors described in "Actual Behavior" were actively observed.
- I attached the full, untruncated log file.
- I attached the backtrace in the case of a crash.
Activity
llyyr commentedon Sep 4, 2026
What's the actual issue? I don't see what's wrong in the log file, except the mpv window being resized a lot
Akemi commentedon Sep 4, 2026
try
target-colorspace-hint=yesand possibly propertarget-prim,target-trc,target-peakandtarget-contrastoptions if applicable. alsotarget-colorspace-hint-strict=nomight be needed.also what llyyr said, describing the problem more thoroughly and providing samples and screenshots might help.
kasper93 commentedon Sep 4, 2026
Especially the screenshot with Stats (shift+i) is interesting for diagnosing the issues like that.
low-batt commentedon Sep 8, 2026
@mausfield Are you reporting that macOS does not activate extended dynamic range?
There can be various reasons for that, but to start with add
--target-colorspace-hint=yeswhen invoking mpv as @Akemi mentioned above. Do not add the--vooption. As of mpv 0.41.0 the default is--vo=gpu-next, which is what you want to be using.Run mpv like this and then press Ctrl+s to take a screenshot that includes the stats requested by @kasper93:
Under macOS 15.7.9 on my MacBookPro18,2, which has a XDR screen, adding
--target-colorspace-hint=yescauses EDR to be activated. I can see the brightness ramp up at the start. This is what the screenshot with stats looks like on my Mac:Can you say more about the display you are using. Is it an Apple XDR display? An external HDR capable display? Something else?
vintagetape commentedon Sep 20, 2026
@mausfield @low-batt I’m facing the same issue with Mac16,7. It happened on both macOS 26.0 and 27.0.
Changing the window size or exiting full screen can activate EDR.
Three logs files here with three different scenario
EDR activated
EDR failed to activate
EDR failed to activate, but activated after exiting full screen
low-batt commentedon Sep 20, 2026
A mpv developer will have to comment on whether there is some sort of problem in mpv with activating EDR. What you want to rule out is that it is macOS that is preventing EDR from being activated.
Is the MacBook operating on battery? If so, when EDR fails to operate, try plugging the Mac into power.
In
System Settingsclick on theBatterytab. On the bottom right side click onOptions…. At least on macOS 15 you will see anOptimize video streaming while on battery. The description for that setting says:Because activating EDR causes the display to consume more energy, macOS will refuse to activate EDR sometimes when running on battery. When debugging EDR problems it is best to be plugged into power.
I'm typing this on macOS 15, so settings could have moved in newer versions of macOS.
Other concerns are the brightness of the room and how bright you have set the display. For EDR to be activated the display has to have "headroom". If you have the macOS
Automatically adjust brightnesssetting enabled then in a bright room macOS will automatically turn up the brightness of the display.vintagetape commentedon Sep 21, 2026
The MacBook has been plugged into power. It also happens when automatically adjust brightness is off.
I tried running mpv with this command, removing
--fullscreen=yes, and as this video shows, EDR wasn’t activated until I adjusted the window size of mpv.mpv --no-config --gpu-debug --log-file=output.txt --input-commands='script-binding stats/display-stats-toggle' --native-fs=no --pause --start=1:36.300 --target-colorspace-hint=yes videotest-00.01.21.729-00.01.48.009.mp4IMG_0402.MOV