the picture looks really dark and washed out in hdr mode on netflix and disney+, standard mode is fine.

Diagnosis

The "washed out" and dark appearance on the Roku Select Series 4K TV occurs because this specific model lacks a local dimming array and has a limited peak brightness (nits) compared to high-end HDR displays. When Netflix or Disney+ triggers an HDR10 or HLG signal, the TV switches to a dedicated HDR picture profile. Because the hardware cannot actually reach the high brightness levels requested by the HDR metadata, the image appears "flat," with crushed blacks and a lack of punch in the highlights. This is further exacerbated by the "Dynamic Contrast" and "Auto Brightness" settings, which often overcompensate for the low peak brightness by aggressively dimming the entire panel to maintain a perceived contrast ratio. You can confirm this is a software/profile issue if the image looks vibrant in Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) but immediately shifts to a greyish, dim tone the moment the "HDR" badge appears in the top right corner of the screen during a movie intro.

How to Fix It

To resolve this, you must tune the HDR-specific profile while the HDR content is actively playing, as Roku TVs store separate settings for SDR and HDR.

1. Launch Netflix or Disney+ and start an HDR-enabled title (e.g., a 4K Nature documentary or a Marvel movie).
2. Once the HDR signal is active, press the Star (*) button on your Roku remote.
3. Navigate to Picture Settings.
4. Change the Picture Mode to "Vivid" or "Bright". Avoid "Eco" or "Standard" in HDR mode, as these heavily cap the backlight.
5. Set Backlight to 100. This is the most critical step; HDR requires maximum lamp output to compensate for the dimming effect of the HDR filter.
6. Set Brightness to 50. Increasing this further will wash out the blacks; decreasing it will cause "black crush" where detail in shadows disappears.
7. Set Contrast to 90-100 to push the peak white levels higher.
8. Navigate to Advanced Picture Settings and disable "Auto Brightness". This prevents the TV from dimming the screen based on the room's ambient light, which often triggers incorrectly during dark HDR scenes.
9. Disable "Noise Reduction" and "Content Refresh Rate" to prevent the processor from adding a "soap opera effect" or blurring the fine detail of the 4K signal.

If That Didn't Work

• Toggle HDR in the App Settings: Some versions of the Netflix app on Roku have a "Playback" setting. Ensure the quality is set to "High" and that the device is not defaulting to a lower-bitrate stream that mimics HDR but lacks the proper metadata.
• Check HDMI Cable Bandwidth: If you are using an external device (like a Shield TV or Apple TV) instead of the built-in Roku apps, ensure you are using a Premium High Speed HDMI cable (18Gbps). A lower-rated cable can cause "handshake" issues where the TV thinks it is in HDR mode but cannot receive the full color depth, resulting in a greyish tint.
• Disable "Energy Saving" Mode: Go to the main Roku Home screen > Settings > System > Power > Fast Roku Start. Ensure this is enabled, and then go to Settings > Picture and ensure "Energy Saving" is completely Off. This global setting often overrides individual HDR picture profiles.
• Factory Reset the Picture Settings: If you have tweaked settings over time, the HDR profile may be corrupted. Go to Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset. This clears the cache and resets the HDR mapping to the factory baseline, allowing you to apply the "Fix" steps from a clean slate.

Heads Up

• HDR Limitation: Be aware that the Select Series is an entry-level 4K panel. It cannot produce "True HDR" like a QD-OLED or Mini-LED; you are optimizing the image to look its best within the hardware's physical limits.
• Ambient Light: Because this panel lacks high peak brightness, HDR content will look significantly washed out in a bright room. For the best experience, dim your lights or close curtains to improve the perceived contrast.
• Update Firmware: Always check for system updates in Settings > System > Software update. Roku frequently releases "HDR Tone Mapping" updates that improve how the TV handles bright highlights in Disney+ and Netflix content.