Directv Now is running their promotion until March 31. For $105 you can get the 32 GB Apple TV 4K and three months of DirecTV now service. Combine that with EBates/TooCashBack/BeFrugal and you can get an extra $16-$22 off that price. I see no reason to go with the AppleTV fourth-generation.
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4K Apple TV with a 1080p TV
- Thread starter AyeKay15
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This isn't quite accurate. I've been ripping in HEVC for the last 6 months and the Apple TV gen 4 plays them without issue - both through the native player and Infuse which has its own playback engine. Granted, I don't think it would work with 4K HEVC, but if you're looking at these you should be using an ATV 4K, but if you top out at 1080p the ATV 4 is still a great option. In fact, after TvOS 11.3 it will also gain 'match frame rate' support which will finally allow 24 Hz playback.
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I was about to write a similar post, because I also can play back HEVC-encoded 1080p movies on aTV 4. It rejects 2160p movies as not-compatible.
The minor detail kevk74 may be right on, is the 10-bit Main10 HEVC profile. Haven't attempted to encode classical 8-bit bluray material into 10-bit HEVC. Worth giving a shot, though.
Yep, I think it would struggle with 10-bit 1080p HEVC, but I don't know how much content in that format exists. If you are sticking with 1080p for now it makes sense to hold on to your 4th gen - after all, a 6th gen model might come out before you buy a 4k TV and if not, you haven't lost anything by waiting.
Tested this out - it won't struggle, it declines playback with the standard "this format not supported" message.
How are you guys playing back ripped films through the ATV? I have a heap of them currently on an extetnal HD and would love to play through ATV.
iTunes, Infuse, Plex, VLC - there are number of ways.
Somewhat depends on what format are your rips in.
I personally still prefer iTunes.
I used to used iTunes (i.e. import them into iTunes and then access them via the Computers section on the ATV), but I switched to InFuse about 18 months ago and not looked back. Can access shares from a NAS, will playback most formats and either uses embedded meta data or will scrape it from the net to make sure the interface is good looking.
Ideally I'd love to drop the rips into my itunes file and play them direct from the ATV. But as far as I believe, the only way that's possible is to leave my Mac on. But that's a pain as my Mac is in the loft. Is there a way round this?
I did think of infuse but like you I prefer itunes.
Hey guys,
I know this can be subjective, but please help me. I recently upgraded my Apple TV 4th gen to 4K version, on the same 1080p TV, same setup, same movie (TV show) I noticed different, more vibrant and sharper picture with ATV 4k. Why is that? is that because of some sort of software upscaling or better processing that 4k has, or I am just subjectively see better picture because there is a new toy in the room?
I know this can be subjective, but please help me. I recently upgraded my Apple TV 4th gen to 4K version, on the same 1080p TV, same setup, same movie (TV show) I noticed different, more vibrant and sharper picture with ATV 4k. Why is that? is that because of some sort of software upscaling or better processing that 4k has, or I am just subjectively see better picture because there is a new toy in the room?
Where do you store your files?
I run a Mac Mini as iTunes (+everything else) server and have Drobo 5C connected to it over USB3.0 as storage array. Much happier with this solution than my previous el-cheapo D-Link NAS.
Hi mate, my iTunes folder is on my Mac Pro which is located 2 floors above in my loft. My ripped files are on an external 2tb hard dive. My Apple TV is in my sitting room.
What I would like to do is drop all my ripped files in to the itunes folder and be able to watch them directly from the ATV. I know I can do that by turning on my Mac but that's a bit of a hassle. Is there any way to do this without turning on my Mac?
Infuse is an option if all else fails.
Not without iTunes running somewhere.
TBH, I fail to see how would Infuse be a better solution in your setup?
You’d need to run some fileserver anyway, for Infuse to access files on your external HDD.
Me too. But only as I have. 21:9 ratio tele and can no linger live with. 16:9
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Can run it from my iPad?
Do you turn your imac on every time you want to watch a film from your drobo?
Infuse was just an option. Ideally I wouldn't want to use that.
iPad can not read files from USB storage AFAIK.
I use Mac Mini, not iMac. And it is on 24/7 as it serves also all my other things (apache, cacti).
Mac Mini is the nicest, sleekest and quietest server there is.
That’s still a server running somewhere.
OP says he only has USB external drive.
With his setup he will need to have a computer running.
Getting a NAS is also an option. Low-end single-drive ones are not that expensive.
Good point! Depends on router. Most use windows SMB, Airport Extreme uses apple’s AFP as network filesystem.
I bet you are one of those who 10 years ago said that 1080p is overkill for anything under 65 inches.
HD looks better up scaled on a 4K TV and the visual immersion of 4K content is totally worth it. Colours are more alive, contrast clearer, motion more judder-free and more in every frame is in focus.
The 4K experience is more than just "more pixels".
I upgraded from a 1080p Plasma and all my bluray movies instantly looked better. When I then bought an ATV and viewed 4K for the first time, my TV was totally transformed. I can't get enough of 4K.
bully for you
most of my stuff is on sd and looks ropey on 1080p
gawd knows what it'd look like stretched out to 4k
but if it floats your boat , go fer it
most of my stuff is on sd and looks ropey on 1080p
gawd knows what it'd look like stretched out to 4k
but if it floats your boat , go fer it
Yeah. SD can look terrible on 4K. Even 480p content from 8 years ago can look terrible. So you are doing well to stick with 1080p if SD is what you mainly watch.
Sorry. What I meant was can I not run my iTunes library from the iPad. As far as I know I don't think you can attach a USB drive to an iPad.
I have a Mac Pro so not a good idea running that 24/7 LOL!