2023 16" Ventura Mac Book Pro: Issues with STAGE MANAGER when APPLE TV is playing and minimized

One week old 16" Mac Book Pro / M2 Pro was replaced due to video glitching with Stage Manager enabled and while using Apple TV. Took the week old computer back to Mac store and the friendly staff exchanged it after I was able to replicate the issue while at the store. Seems that if you enable Stage Manager and Apple TV at the same time, and you minimize Apple TV, it creates a rapid flickering effect on the display - particularly over the minimized Apple TV icon that sits in Stage Manager. It will also do rapid flickers on the edges of other open windows. The top menu bar will turn a Hot Pink and alternate between that color and its normal color. This second computer (replacement) does the same thing! After unboxing and setting-it up it did the very same thing. Another issue I noticed on both Macs: when watching videos, the black levels are waaaaay too dark (during dim lit scenes) this is both true for Apple TV and YouTube videos. 2 out of 2 is way too much of a coincidence. Update: Just got off the phone with an Apple Tech: she was not able to help fix the issue but has documented it. Will be going back to the Apple Store and see if this same issue can be replicated with their floor models.

MacBook Pro (M2 Pro, 2023)

Posted on Apr 7, 2023 08:33 PM

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9 replies

Apr 16, 2023 10:12 PM in response to MacMarius

I'm sorry to hear about the issues you've been experiencing with your new 16" MacBook Pro. It sounds like you've already tried troubleshooting the issue with the help of an Apple tech, and you're planning to visit the Apple store again to see if the issue can be replicated on their floor models. Here are a few additional steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:

  1. Update your software: Make sure your MacBook Pro is running the latest version of macOS and that all your apps and drivers are up to date. You can check for software updates by going to the Apple menu and selecting "System Preferences" > "Software Update".
  2. Reset the SMC: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) can sometimes fix issues related to power management, battery, and other hardware components. To reset the SMC, shut down your MacBook Pro, then press and hold the power button for 10 seconds. Release the button, then turn your MacBook Pro back on.
  3. Check your display settings: Make sure your display settings are configured correctly. You can adjust your display settings by going to the Apple menu and selecting "System Preferences" > "Displays". Try adjusting the brightness, contrast, and other display settings to see if it makes a difference.
  4. Check your video playback settings: Make sure your video playback settings are configured correctly. For example, if you're watching a video in a web browser, try adjusting the video quality settings or disabling hardware acceleration.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, it's possible that there may be a hardware problem with your MacBook Pro. In that case, I would recommend contacting Apple support or visiting an Apple store to have it serviced or replaced.

Apr 25, 2023 06:35 AM in response to robbydo

robbydo wrote:

I can't believe my above reply posted also as a seperate new post was deleted. I thought it would help others.

Yes, your reply does appear to have been removed. If it was removed because it contravened the terms of use, the Hosts will have sent you an email explaining why. If, however, it was a response to another post that was removed and was removed because it quoted the other post or didn't make sense once the other post was removed, you will receive no notification.

May 13, 2023 08:43 AM in response to Celtic Aaron

Hi Celtic,


No is the short answer.


Was told by Apple that it is a software issue & they will need to release a fix in due course. This allayed my initial fears which had “popped” my new-purchase-joy having bought a new machine and having to worry and deal with it over four days.


I am still shocked that Stage Manager either hadn’t been tested (a very easy test) to see if it works when AppleTV is minimised, or if the fault had been found no note to users has been made to avoid undue stress.


I posted a typed letter to the Vice President in California over two-weeks ago but no response to date.


Hope this helps.

Jun 8, 2023 09:33 PM in response to robbydo

Late Update: I went back to the Apple Store and tested the other Mac Book Pros on their floor. I tested two of them with the same result as described initially. The Genius that helped me explained that it was most likely a software issue and that they would scale it up to engineering. Additionally, I tested their non-mac book pro models ( air models ) and I was not able to replicate the issue - so this is isolated only to the Mac book pros.

So, as for me, I can live without Stage Manager personally (though I am glad there is seemingly an eventual fix for this). I am more bothered by the fact that the black tones are way too dark ( as I mentioned initially ) when watching movies/videos Apple TV , YouTube (movie trailers), Amazon Prime movies. I do hope that apple will listen and take a closer look at the black levels on the Mac book pro - and adjust (this is particularly true when watching dim lit scenes). I have a more enjoyable experience watching movies from my old 2014 Mac book pro. I feel a degree of frustration that I spent nearly $3,000 whenever I watch a movie on this Mac - particularly since it is seemingly a simple fix via an update. Thought: Why not implement a control for the user to be able to adjust the black/white tones when watching movies?

Anyhow, I decided to keep the new Mac because I need it for my graphic work ( my 2014 is aged and I don't want to upgrade to newer OS due to compatibility issues with some of my programs ).

I've been a long time Mac user (since the first iPod and first iPhones ).... I recall going through an issue with my 2005 (or 2004) Mac book pro: the battery would swell-up and I would have to take the battery in for a replacement every 6 months or so ( back then the battery was on the underside with a release button ). This was eventually addressed with the newer models and the swelled-up batteries became a thing of the past. Compared to a swelled battery issue from way back then, I assume this is a relatively easy fix.

I have faith that apple will fix this issue with Stage Manager and with the black tones and that my feed back is taken seriously. In total, I took 3 trips to the Apple Store (including the initial day of purchase), spent an hour with a tech over the phone, and spent time in the community boards trying to figure this out. Ultimately, I pointed the issue-out in the store to the employees who were seemingly unaware of this issue. Let's get things fixed Apple!

Nov 1, 2023 09:53 PM in response to MacMarius

Update: I just upgraded to Sonoma 14.1 and was hoping this issue would have been resolved in the newest OS version. I am disappointed that this has not as of yet been addressed.

I don't care for stage manager. But please fix the overly DARK TONES when watching any of the Apple TV shows via the 16' Mac book pro.

I do not have this issue when watching the shows on my television or iPhone 15. I find it incredibly irritating that my $3,000 computer is not able to display the tones correctly.

Again, when I last did a store visit: I was able to test the floor model and ALL of the 16" Mac Pro's have this issue. The more affordable Mac Airs do not have this issue. Can someone pleas acknowledge this issue in here?

I was told by the employees who witnessed this issue personally, that they would address it to the techs. but so far it is still a problem.

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2023 16" Ventura Mac Book Pro: Issues with STAGE MANAGER when APPLE TV is playing and minimized

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