2021 Apple TV 4K vs. 2017 Apple TV 4K: Is It Worth Upgrading?

[ErikGrim]

eARC was a game changer for me. Set in motion a cascade of event:

1. Cancelled and returned my Apple Remote I had ordered thinking I didn't need to upgrade
2. Got a new AppleTV
3. Sold my old Apple TV to offset 80% of the cost of the new one
4. Tested that indeed, my switch worked perfectly and seamlessly through the HomePods without lag, and without the AppleTV needing to be on, including controlling the volume
5. Bought an RCA to HDMI adapter so my record player could also be played through the HomePods
6. Finally moving my studio speakers that had been used for the switch and record player into my actual studio
7. …requiring me to purchase a new desk
8. Sold my old desk to offset 50% of the cost of the new desk
9. Bought new audio interface to allow studio monitors full 24/96 range

All in one day.

Quite pleased with the result:

 

[BWhaler]

Library tab works fine for me on 1st gen Apple TV 4K.

Roughly how many movies/shows do you own? Thanks for your help.

 

[nutmac]

does it seem to you that the youtube app on the gen 2 4k ATV is different than the gen 1 4k app? i suppose my installing the new ATV might have coincidentally overlapped with a major release of the youtube app but that seems unlikely somehow...

Google updates YouTube every week, and on top of it all, they run feature experiments all the time to random segment of users.

Either way, Google does not disclose release note beyond bug fixes and performance improvements.

I really hope Google nails the UI, where even pausing could be an ambiguous affair. That and support for tvOS's match frame rate and dynamic range settings.

 

[ErikGrim]

YouTube is a trash fire on Apple TV (and everywhere else). I thought we stopped the write once, run anywhere mentality with the slow death of Java?

 

[ricketysquire]

Do you think Apple will drop support for the 4th gen Apple TV (Apple TV HD) for tvOS 15? I don't use mine frequently, but I'd prefer not to keep devices around that aren't getting security updates anymore. I could sell the 4th gen and get a 5th gen Apple TV (4K Gen 1) from Ebay for under 100.

 

[FreeWoRLD83]

I have 2 questions and I'd be really glad if anyone can answer;

• When you play videos that are recorded on iPhone 12 Pro series (in Dolby Vision format) via the "Photos" app, does the new ATV4K actually plays them in Dolby Vision or does it play them in SDR (like the previous gen)? Assuming the TV supports it obviously..
• AirPlay - on the previous gen, if you airplay HDR videos from iPhone 12 Pro, the ATV would just play them in SDR. So, does the new ATV4K play these videos in HDR or DV via AirPlay?

 

[iwan073]

Hardcore gamer on an Apple TV?!

Whoehahahahaha! 🤣

 

[gherman22]

Apple in April unveiled a new version of the 4K Apple TV, but on the surface, it's hard to tell it apart from its predecessor because it looks the same as the 2017 model. There are, however, a few internal changes, but are those changes worth upgrading for? That's what we're aiming to find out in our Apple TV 4K hands-on video.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

Compared to the original Apple TV 4K, there are no design changes to the second-generation Apple TV 4K with one peripheral exception -- the Siri Remote. The Siri Remote has been overhauled with a new clickpad and updated buttons that make it more intuitive to use.

There's a dedicated power button for the first time, along with a mute button, and the Siri button has been moved to the side. There's no touchpad anymore, and the clickpad that replaces it is easier to use, making it simple to scrub through content with a swipe around the wheel. It's also much thicker and heftier, and Apple believes this will make it harder to lose.

Without a doubt, the Siri Remote is a major upgrade that's worth it, but you don't need a whole new Apple TV just for the remote -- Apple is selling it on a standalone basis for $60. That's pricey, but if you're fed up with the current remote and want something better, it's worth considering.

As for the rest of the Apple TV, upgrades include support for high frame rate 4K HDR and Dolby Vision content, which is useful for sports and other fast-paced action. There's not a lot of support right now, but you can check it out on YouTube or on videos recorded with the iPhone.

The Apple TV does have HDMI 2.1, but it doesn't have 120Hz frame rate support, so it's not a reason to upgrade. What is new, however, is eARC support, a feature that lets all TV audio be routed through HomePods. With eARC, audio from game consoles, cable boxes, and other peripherals can be routed through the HomePod when you have a compatible TV.

There's an upgraded A12 Bionic chip in the second-generation Apple TV 4K, which is a good deal faster than the A10X Fusion chip that was in the prior model, but unless you're playing a system-intensive game on the Apple TV, you're probably not really going to notice the upgrade.

If you have a 2017 Apple TV 4K, there's generally no reason to upgrade at this time unless one of the included features is particularly appealing to you. If you have an Apple TV HD or are considering an Apple TV purchase for the first time, the new 2021 model makes much more sense and is worth the $179 purchase price.

Article Link: 2021 Apple TV 4K vs. 2017 Apple TV 4K: Is It Worth Upgrading?

Apple in April unveiled a new version of the 4K Apple TV, but on the surface, it's hard to tell it apart from its predecessor because it looks the same as the 2017 model. There are, however, a few internal changes, but are those changes worth upgrading for? That's what we're aiming to find out in our Apple TV 4K hands-on video.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

Compared to the original Apple TV 4K, there are no design changes to the second-generation Apple TV 4K with one peripheral exception -- the Siri Remote. The Siri Remote has been overhauled with a new clickpad and updated buttons that make it more intuitive to use.

There's a dedicated power button for the first time, along with a mute button, and the Siri button has been moved to the side. There's no touchpad anymore, and the clickpad that replaces it is easier to use, making it simple to scrub through content with a swipe around the wheel. It's also much thicker and heftier, and Apple believes this will make it harder to lose.

Without a doubt, the Siri Remote is a major upgrade that's worth it, but you don't need a whole new Apple TV just for the remote -- Apple is selling it on a standalone basis for $60. That's pricey, but if you're fed up with the current remote and want something better, it's worth considering.

As for the rest of the Apple TV, upgrades include support for high frame rate 4K HDR and Dolby Vision content, which is useful for sports and other fast-paced action. There's not a lot of support right now, but you can check it out on YouTube or on videos recorded with the iPhone.

The Apple TV does have HDMI 2.1, but it doesn't have 120Hz frame rate support, so it's not a reason to upgrade. What is new, however, is eARC support, a feature that lets all TV audio be routed through HomePods. With eARC, audio from game consoles, cable boxes, and other peripherals can be routed through the HomePod when you have a compatible TV.

There's an upgraded A12 Bionic chip in the second-generation Apple TV 4K, which is a good deal faster than the A10X Fusion chip that was in the prior model, but unless you're playing a system-intensive game on the Apple TV, you're probably not really going to notice the upgrade.

If you have a 2017 Apple TV 4K, there's generally no reason to upgrade at this time unless one of the included features is particularly appealing to you. If you have an Apple TV HD or are considering an Apple TV purchase for the first time, the new 2021 model makes much more sense and is worth the $179 purchase price.

Article Link: 2021 Apple TV 4K vs. 2017 Apple TV 4K: Is It Worth Upgrading?

They still didn't add regular ARC support. My 65" TCL Roku TV plays to my Pioneer receiver which detects and uses Dolby Atmos and HiFi music sources. I got this because my 2017 4K ATV only recognizes the TV's speakers, it plays through the ARC passthrough but doesn't recognize or send an Atmos signal. (The receiver detects an Atmos source.). If I plug into the receiver I get Atmos but since it pre-dates DolbyVision I don't get that on the TV. It's frustrating because other products like a Fire TV 4K or Fire TV Cube, Roku Premium do play both DolbyVision and Atmos.
I bought this because of Apples move to HiFi ad uncompressed music in Apple Music later this month. So I guess since the Roku TV uses Airplay 2 I will use that because Bluetooth oesn't have the bandwidth and the ATV is one of the few devices Apple makes that uses sampling rates over 24/44 khz.

 

[JSL1]

mine learned my pioneer volume up/down/mute controls from my harmony keyboard, and the vol up/down/mute buttons on the new siri remote correctly control my receiver.

now if the stupid thing could turn on the whole stack, that would be great. but i guess in the absence of CEC that's not something the appleTV will do?

Well, Apple promised IR support for Power On and Off, but it is still missing as of tvOS14.6.

Apple advertises IR support for Power On/Off:
On the Apple TV 4K Tech Specs page it states “Control your TV or receiver via IR or CEC”. With footnote (3): "Powering on and off, switching input to Apple TV, controlling volume, and mute.

If you need the Power button to be able to Learn IR commands.
Please report it to Apple (link below), so they will fix it. I reported it as a bug and requested the Power button to be able to Learn IR for at least 2 devices (TV/Projector and Soundbar/AVR).
Bugs / Feedback - Apple TV - Apple

For all owners of Apple TV with TVs, Projectors, AV Receivers and Soundbars without HDMI-CEC or incompatible HDMI-CEC, they need the new Power button to send IR for On and Off and IR for switching HDMI input to Apple TV.

Shouldn't be that hard for Apple to add learning IR for the Power button they are already doing the IR Learning for Volume + - button and Mute button. Settings App > Remotes and Devices > Volume Control. Select Learn New Device…

I realize that learning IR for Power On/Off requires you to cover up your TV/Projector IR sensor or have the Apple TV positioned so it can learn the IR for Power On and Off without the TV/Projector receiving the IR and turning off in the middle of learning.

To avoid the problem of a TV or projector turning off during Apple TV learning the Power On Off IR codes, Apple could do it with the help of an iPhone like they now do for Color Calibration since tvOS 14.5. Settings > Video and Audio > Calibration > Color Balance.

The new Power button should be able to control both a TV (or Projector) and Soundbar (or AV Receiver) via IR and switch the HDMI input to Apple TV. Some devices require discrete Power On IR and discrete Power Off IR, instead of Toggle Power On/Off IR. Apple needs to support Learning both types. (for example, to turn off many projectors you need to send discrete Power Off or send Toggle Power On/Off IR twice).

Check Power button and IR status

 

[PS8409]

I have a Samsung 2019 QLED 4k TV. I compared it with a regular Samsung 4k tv I have. My New 2021 Apple TV played Youtube 60fps content and I compared it to my 2017 Apple TV on the other Samsung TV. I SAW NO VISUAL DIFFERENCE. I also did a comparison with my iCloud photo library which has many 4k 60fps HDR videos I’ve been recording since I got my iPhone 12 Pro Max. NO VISUAL DIFFERENCE between the old and new Apple TV. I even changed my Auto Motion Plus on and off several times. No difference. I THINK THE 60FPS IS A LIE OR A FALSE ADVERTISING. THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO PLAY ACTUAL 60FPS ANYTHING.

 

[randian]

Does the 2021 ATV 4k come with a free year of Apple TV+ like the 2017 edition does/did?

 

[Kulfon]

In your effort to slam Americans, you also managed to be wrong. The new ATV supports 60 fps DV playback and fixed a raised black level issue that the previous 4K unit had. So actually it will offer an improved viewing experience.

Great Then people should upgrade I was not offending anyone. In the USA there is a culture of consumerism…well not only in the USA, but corporations make people forever buy things even if this is not needed. Just think about the size of portions in restaurants and the number of obese people. I feel really sorry for that

 

[cardfan]

Thought this was obvious. Still a crap remote to hide in a drawer as well.

 

[SpaceCrystal]

Maybe only if you really want the new remote? 2017 Apple TV 4K is still faster than most of the competitors.

The only other set-top box competitor that's the closest to the Apple TV 4K is the Nvidia Shield TV Pro.

 

[wolfshades]

...

If you have a 2017 Apple TV 4K, there's generally no reason to upgrade at this time unless one of the included features is particularly appealing to you. If you have an Apple TV HD or are considering an Apple TV purchase for the first time, the new 2021 model makes much more sense and is worth the $179 purchase price.

Oh. NOW you tell me.

 

[rezwits]

If your TV supports HDMI 2.1 with Quick Media Switching the frame-rate and dynamic range switching should be nearly instantaneous.

This is EXACTLY why you want this unit. I have yet to have one "Have to restart the unit to get the video source back" issue. NOT ONCE! Dolby Vision ALL the time, now mind you ESPN tries really really hard LOL, but that App and the Disney one are nuts. But like I said NO BLACK OUTS...

 

[goborgh]

So they added eARC for a device that is discontinued (Homepod), and is not supported on Homepod minis. What a mess...

 

[tacticaldrunk]

Bought the 64 version of the new Apple TV 4K and when compared to the last gen 4K version, it does seem snappier.

One thing I also noticed, which actually bothered me on the last gen version, is that Apple's screensavers run very smoothly now on the new Apple TV. On the last gen the flyover screensavers were always a bit choppy.

Of course that's not a reason to upgrade, but wanted to mention it.

 

[MrTemple]

Not sure why you need 120 Hz support. For gaming yes, for content it makes zero sense.

120Hz is the holy grail for content.

Essentially 100% of content played on AppleTV is at a framerate that 120 is divisible by.

I love watching movies at their native 24p. Love it. So do most movie-philes.

But I don't watch movies at 24p, because the options for watching movies on ATV are terrible. You either suffer through a stupid number of input-switching cycles of your TV as the ATV switches its rate to match the source, or you keep the entire tvOS interface at a juttery, stuttery 24fps.

If tvOS gets upgraded to 120p (maybe next week), it will play all 24p, 30p, 60p, 120p content at effectively native framerate.

Holy grail.

 

[neoelectronaut]

I bought the new one for the same reason, although I use it via the 1 GBit/s Ethernet port. Despite the missing improvement resulting from a 10 GbE connection, there is a noticeable performance upgrade when streaming self-created movies from my NAS. I assume, this is a result of the faster CPU. So I'm happy with the new device, although I badly miss the 10 GbE ethernet port. The new remote is a really big step forward.

Unfortunately I'm not quite up to the task of wiring ethernet cables up through my walls and through the attic.

Maybe someday...

But wireless tech will just continue getting better and better in the meantime.

 

[nutmac]

I have 2 questions and I'd be really glad if anyone can answer;

• When you play videos that are recorded on iPhone 12 Pro series (in Dolby Vision format) via the "Photos" app, does the new ATV4K actually plays them in Dolby Vision or does it play them in SDR (like the previous gen)? Assuming the TV supports it obviously..
• AirPlay - on the previous gen, if you airplay HDR videos from iPhone 12 Pro, the ATV would just play them in SDR. So, does the new ATV4K play these videos in HDR or DV via AirPlay?

Photos app: Yes, HDR videos and HDR photos are show in Dolby Vision, but only if you set the video output to Dolby Vision or HDR (not SDR with match dynamic range setting turned on). In other words, Photos app ignores match dynamic range setting, just like the screen saver. 😞

Unfortunately, setting the video output to Dolby Vision would mean many 3rd party SDR apps (e.g., almost all games) will output "false" HDR output, as many tend to ignore match dynamic range setting as well. 😞

AirPlay: I didn't try using AirPlay much with new Apple TV. But HDR video from my iPhone's Photos app played in Dolby Vision, also with video output setting set to Dolby Vision as it too, ignored match dynamic range setting.

 

[ignatius345]

Google updates YouTube every week, and on top of it all, they run feature experiments all the time to random segment of users.

Either way, Google does not disclose release note beyond bug fixes and performance improvements.

I really hope Google nails the UI, where even pausing could be an ambiguous affair. That and support for tvOS's match frame rate and dynamic range settings.

Not sure what they're doing, but YouTube has by far the worst interface of any app on my Apple TV. Somehow worse than Hulu, which is saying something. Nothing makes sense, it's nearly impossible to see what's selected as you scroll through channels. Scrubbing works poorly if at all. It's trash.

The Apple TV has a great native video player built in, and I'm not sure why every app feels the need to reinvent the wheel. It's a huge PITA to have to figure out whatever idiosyncracies each one decides to put in.

In fact, just today I noticed that HBO Max has apparently ditched the native player in favor of yet another custom one -- which means that previous accessible options you could get by swiping down from the top (subtitles, languages, reduce loud sounds) are gone, and scrubbing has become very hit and miss. It's not as bad as YouTube, however.

 

[EdT]

Not sure why you need 120 Hz support. For gaming yes, for content it makes zero sense.

Most sports that have a lot of things moving and events happening at the same time such as Hockey, Basketball, F1 and NASCAR will look better at a higher refresh rate.

 

[redpola]

The software and the iTunes ecosystem are the problems for Apple TV. Not the hardware.

Right now, and for the last two weeks, if I open the TV app on my ATV4K (old version), I get a blank screen. Luckily because of the bad design of having two different ways to access the same content (in a slightly different way which is sometimes really annoying) I can still watch the series I’m currently into.

But iTunes Store is broken. When studios can de-list and then re-list content that appears as a new item on the iTunes Store, the whole ecosystem is flawed. I’ve re-bought stuff I already own by accident, been unable to find stuff I thought I owned, and the pinnacle came when one film out of a five film set disappeared. Yes, I bought a box set of movies, and later one disappeared. Apple tells me that’s up to the studio if they want to withdraw select titles. But what happened here is that the studio re-listed the box set, including my missing film, for the same price I paid for it, but at the same time deleted the film from my collection.

Please Apple, fix this stuff before you tinker with the hardware.

 

[Schnooder]

Seems like from reading about the issue, if you reprogram another remote the Siri remote will the learn the codes

Thanks for the help, but I'm not clear on what you're describing. How does one 'reprogram another remote'? My new ATV remote appears to learn the codes from multiple remotes that control the speaker, but the ATV remote never works.