Carplay black level

Milleam · October 28, 2019

Just purchased a new 2019 RST over the weekend. So far loving the truck. That said, when my phone is connected and using Apple Carplay, I feel like the black levels are really washed out. It almost appears grey. I can't tell if this just the angle that the screen is at (which I think could be part of it) or if there is something wrong with carplay. When you are on the stock radio interface there is a lot of black and its a very dark/deep black. I realize this is kind of a knit pick, but just curious if anyone else has noticed this?

Moend · October 28, 2019

1 hour ago, Milleam said:

Just purchased a new 2019 RST over the weekend. So far loving the truck. That said, when my phone is connected and using Apple Carplay, I feel like the black levels are really washed out. It almost appears grey. I can't tell if this just the angle that the screen is at (which I think could be part of it) or if there is something wrong with carplay. When you are on the stock radio interface there is a lot of black and its a very dark/deep black. I realize this is kind of a knit pick, but just curious if anyone else has noticed this?

This is an LCD screen it does not have a true black. And the more black in the background you will notice it more.

SilveradoRST · October 28, 2019

Yup. Mine looks the same. My wife’s 2018 Traverse the blacks look good on the screen. Seems like the brightness is set to max on our Silverado screens. And there is no way to adjust it. Maybe a future software update will fix.

robsieb · October 29, 2019

Yep, same issue here. I was beginning to think it was just mine.

DrewN209 · October 29, 2019

I just switched from an F-150 to a Sierra and CarPlay looks exactly the same in both. I think CarPlay simply utilizes a semi-transparent grey background so you can see the album artwork in the background when uses Apple Music or Pandora. Personally, I think it looks cheap and cheesy and would prefer a darker theme. Hopefully a future update brings this.

tanner709 · October 30, 2019

It's actually louder connected through bluetooth...

the grey is normal, it's an apple/carplay thing.

Jeff Wiggins · October 30, 2019

Same here. Came from a Pioneer aftermarket HU, and the black on CarPlay was much truer black. I believe its a combination of the new display and CarPlay.

dw91 · October 30, 2019

6 hours ago, tanner709 said:

It's actually louder connected through bluetooth...

the grey is normal, it's an apple/carplay thing.

I found the opposite and the sound quality is definitely worse with BT compared to USB.

tanner709 · October 31, 2019

10 hours ago, dw91 said:

I found the opposite and the sound quality is definitely worse with BT compared to USB.

really? with an iphone?

My bluetooth is noticeably louder - I dont think I have any EQ settings on either.

dw91 · October 31, 2019

6 hours ago, tanner709 said:

really? with an iphone?

My bluetooth is noticeably louder - I dont think I have any EQ settings on either.

Yes iPhone X and no eq. It could be because you have the volume maxed on your phone? With the USB cable anything much passed 1/2-2/3 volume is really loud.

tanner709 · October 31, 2019

1 hour ago, dw91 said:

Yes iPhone X and no eq. It could be because you have the volume maxed on your phone? With the USB cable anything much passed 1/2-2/3 volume is really loud.

maybe because I have the shitty custom speakers. My '16 LT used to be how you describe it (usb louder)

fightingmajor · November 1, 2019

Disappointed in the colors of this as well. It does seem washed out. Traded in an 18 JL Wrangler and when I looked at the radio, it was the first thing I noticed. Really wish I could swap this out with an aftermarket headhunt with wireless CarPlay.

killramos · November 2, 2019

+1 On the black levels, they really suck with no way to adjust. CarPlay looks much better on my wife’s Lexus screen. Much blacker.

Also on my AT4 iPhone USB definitely sounds better than BT. Which makes sense, way higher but rate and less compression with USB than BT

Thomcat · November 2, 2019

I can't speak to Carplay (Apple?) but using Auto Android the screens and Google maps lack black and are bright and washed out at night and backgrounds are grey. The OEM Nav maps show blacks during daytime even with full dash brightness and nighttime screens easily visible without a washout.