4th Gen Apple TV: Same Functionality?

[cypressc]

Finally cutting the cable cord and going to streaming only.

Two of my four TVs are not 4K.

Obviously, I don't need the 4K output of the 5th Generation ATV4K.

If I put an previous-gen Apple TV on the non4K-HD TVs, am I losing any features or functionality? Is it worth an extra $20 to just get the latest Apple TV for non-4K sets because of any added features?

 

[Audit13]

I have both and both have the same functionality from what I can tell. That being said, I would get the 4k version. It's not much more and would provide a form of "future proofing" IMHO.

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

ABSOLUTELY! The A10X in the ATV 4K is a beast and will happily see you through another five years+ of flawless streaming plus of course, you may upgrade to a 4K Dolby Vision OLED TV is two or three years for example and then you'll be truly wowed at the Apple TV 4K performance. It's pretty much future proof. In my opinion, the HD model should really be discontinued - that old A8 chip was never that good - the A9 on the other hand...

 

[Cleartz]

I have both and both have the same functionality from what I can tell. That being said, I would get the 4k version. It's not much more and would provide a form of "future proofing" IMHO.

I'm looking to get an Apple TV. In your opinion, should I wait and hope Apple announces an updated Apple TV? I don't want to get a TV a week before Apple announces an updated TV. That would suck. That said, I don't know if Apple will announce another TV any time soon.

 

[Audit13]

I'm looking to get an Apple TV. In your opinion, should I wait and hope Apple announces an updated Apple TV? I don't want to get a TV a week before Apple announces an updated TV. That would suck. That said, I don't know if Apple will announce another TV any time soon.

I would not wait with the hope that Apple releases a new 4k Apple TV. They currently have no incentive to do so since the hardware is more than capable to meet current streaming needs, they've updated the 3rd gen to work with their new streaming service, and many SMART TVs are now compatible with the iTunes app.

I could see them introducing new features that may require new hardware and/or licenses such as lossless audio (multichannel PCM, DTS-X, and Atmos TrueHD) for Plex users but the chances of this happening are still very slim IMHO.

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

I'm looking to get an Apple TV. In your opinion, should I wait and hope Apple announces an updated Apple TV? I don't want to get a TV a week before Apple announces an updated TV. That would suck. That said, I don't know if Apple will announce another TV any time soon.

I would wait until the end of October. It's not far away. The reason why i'm saying this is simple... HDMI 2.1
This little beauty SOLVES all of the problems that upset Apple Apple with the auto SDR HDR DV & Frame Rate switching leading to the black screen for a few seconds.
It also allows for 120fps which would be perfect if Arcade is to evolve.

Apple is quiet at the moment as it's enjoying iPhone 11 Pro momentum at the moment but give it a few weeks...

Maybe buy it in time for Christmas - don't forget black Friday week that often sees many iTunes films at reduced prices

Next year, we are looking to replace our 55" LG OLED with the new 48" OLED that will come with HDMI 2.1 so this feature would be very very welcome! (Two years on and I can't warm to the large TV in our living room).

 

[Beelzbub]

I use the Apple TV 4 (non 4K version) in our bedroom. I updated it a little while ago, from what I can tell, I see zero difference as far as functionality goes. That TV is not 4K, and if I ever replace it, I will probably buy a cheap TV to put in there and use the same Apple TV. We only use it for watching live TV (YouTube TV). Works fine for that. I still use an Apple TV 3 in one of the guest bedrooms for access to our iTunes library and as old as it is, works perfectly fine. In our family room with a 4K TV, I use the Apple TV 4K. But still all it really gets used for is YouTube TV, the occasional movie (iTunes, Netflix, Amazon).

 

[Juicy Box]

I own every model of the ATV, and still use the ATV 3, 4, and 4K.

Other than 4K, HDR, and related capabilities, tvOS is the same for the ATV4 and ATV4K.

But....

I personally would not get an ATV4 over and ATV4K unless the ATV4 had a really good deal on it.

I think the ATV4's A8 was underpowered at launch, and the performance benefits of the ATV4k's A10X is more than worth the small increase in price.