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Apple Testing 4K Capable Fifth-Generation Apple TV For Possible Release This Year
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There are apps for Airplay audio. I have tried Airpin Light for audio, but their "Pro" (paid) version claims to work with mirroring.
Third party AirPlay apps have always been miss for me. Maybe its my network? Either way, I keep a 3rd gen Apple TV for the optical port + AirPlaying Spotify and Pandora to a home theater system. Although I won't use the ATV for anything else, for this use it works great
Bizarre. The Airpin App shows up on my phone and iPad without any problem. I mainly Airplay directly to my receiver since it has Airplay built and it will just turn on my receiver automatically and control the volume that way. However, the Airpin App has been rock solid in my home, but I have my Shield attached directly to ethernet, so maybe that helps.Third party AirPlay apps have always been miss for me. Maybe its my network? Either way, I keep a 3rd gen Apple TV for the optical port + AirPlaying Spotify and Pandora to a home theater system. Although I won't use the ATV for anything else, for this use it works great
I like the AppleTV for Airplay, though. Being able to pop a photo or video up on the screen with ease is a very nice feature. If I did not have the AppleTV, I would just pay for one of the "Pro" apps on the Shield and give that a try, though.
I was surprised that Apple dropped the optical port, but I don't use it, so it isn't a big deal. One of the benefits of the Roku 4 is that it has a optical output. The Shield does not have optical out either, but I was surprised the the USB port can send out audio to a USB DAC. I used mine with a Dragonfly DAC and headphones when I had it in my office.
True, but some people prefer all their apps to be in one place. 4K on AppleTV would also open up 4K gaming and sports, and 4K airplay mirroring if Macs get the ability to do that.
The two Android devices I had (3 or 4 years ago) did not play well with AirPlay apps, maybe the apps are better now. I know I will be looking for replacements soon so I'll keep these in mind
An optical port is an absolute must for me because sometimes I just want to play music through speakers from my phone without having to turn my TV on, i.e. a gathering with friends, music to sleep to, an audiobook. It does this very well and cheaply, with lossless 2 channel audio, no HDMI switching haggle, low power usage and zero electromagnetic interference.
EDIT: Adding another feature I use it for. It also lets me use my receiver for something other than whats on my TV, which an HDMI receiver doesn't allow. For example, playing my PS4 on my TV while playing Pandora (no native app on PS4) through optical to my receiver.
They are dropping optical from a lot of the video streaming devices these days. Of course, you could keep an old AppleTV or Airport Express around for music if you use it that way. Another option is to put an HDMI switcher/converter that has optical out in between the device and your receiver.The two Android devices I had (3 or 4 years ago) did not play well with AirPlay apps, maybe the apps are better now. I know I will be looking for replacements soon so I'll keep these in mind
An optical port is an absolute must for me because sometimes I just want to play music through speakers from my phone without having to turn my TV on, i.e. a gathering with friends, music to sleep to, an audiobook. It does this very well and cheaply, with lossless 2 channel audio, no HDMI switching haggle, low power usage and zero electromagnetic interference.
EDIT: Adding another feature I use it for. It also lets me use my receiver for something other than whats on my TV, which an HDMI receiver doesn't allow. For example, playing my PS4 on my TV while playing Pandora (no native app on PS4) through optical to my receiver.
Not all Android devices are created the same. Nvidia Shield is a better device than a lot of the Android stuff out there. It doesn't have optical out, though. You would need an HDMI switcher that has optical output or a USB to Optical out device.
I'm concerned about the sound quality. I'm set up for Atmos with an 11 speaker system. Though I know better I hope the new AppleTV will be hardware ready to stream something other than 7.1 so that it will be ready for a higher codex via a software/firmware update similar to Integra's recent upgrade to DTS-X.
I purchased the new Samsung 4K player and it is using it's capabilities via 4K streaming Netflix but only at 5.1. I'm a long time Vudu user which streams 4K and Atmos but will not ever be on an AppleTV no matter the audio/video quality and neither will my Samsung TV or 4K player play 4K video from VUDU because they are not on the list of devices for VUDU 4K.
Will AppleTV start streaming Apple's own movies in 4K (of course) and in what sound format?
I hope they can bring back the vision of changing the whole concept of home entertainment but not by lagging behind the rest of the streaming box industry.
I purchased the new Samsung 4K player and it is using it's capabilities via 4K streaming Netflix but only at 5.1. I'm a long time Vudu user which streams 4K and Atmos but will not ever be on an AppleTV no matter the audio/video quality and neither will my Samsung TV or 4K player play 4K video from VUDU because they are not on the list of devices for VUDU 4K.
Will AppleTV start streaming Apple's own movies in 4K (of course) and in what sound format?
I hope they can bring back the vision of changing the whole concept of home entertainment but not by lagging behind the rest of the streaming box industry.
Oh horsehockey. If I can sign in once with stolen credentials, I can sign in again. It's simply an annoyance to honest people. Apple isn't working hard enough to try and make the sign in universal, especially since the largest providers aren't even on the list. If TiVO can work out a deal with Comcast, then Apple should be able to!!
I'm likely a very rare ATV user (still on 1st Gen) who wants it primarily as a transport for music. With that said, the lack of a digital audio out is a major bummer for me. Still, happy to see y'all are getting 4k finally.