if tv comes with Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV, amazon, Disney,......etc. etc.
then you are right. you don't need Apple TV.
unless the tv you buy is something like android tv or some other odd OS, Apple TV should be considered for my part.
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Apple TV 4K Buyer's Guide: Comparing the Generations
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then you are right. you don't need Apple TV.
unless the tv you buy is something like android tv or some other odd OS, Apple TV should be considered for my part.
you can connect it to the tv directly. all those sub woofer or whatever you call it, has a line connected to the tv anyway and it can play any audio coming from Apple TV. absolutely no problem here.
alternatively as Apple promoted last year, 2-4 HomePods are exceptionally great quality with seamless connectivity.
I tried using a pair of HomePod minis and the latency was just horrible...made watching shows impossible...even today, you need a hardwire connection because the latency is just terrible...
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
I agree that it should at least have one analog AUX jack like the earlier generations did. The one often overlooked benefit of an analog jack is easy compatibility with Zone 2 inputs of most modern receivers. They pretty much NEED analog in to work. Prime use is using AppleTV as a music source to "throw" music to zone 2 or zone 3 speakers elsewhere around a wired home. For example, my Zone 2 is wired to speakers outside on a deck (where self powered speakers would be at higher risk of damage by rain/humidity and don't have easy access to electrical sockets).
As is though, HDMI carries the audio:
- HDMI out into a Receiver/Amplifier. Connect any speakers to Receiver/Amplifier. OR
- HDMI out into HDMI audio extractor (to create analog audio jacks). Connect powered speakers to the appropriate jack. This option should cost below about $50 MAX if you have the powered speakers. OR
- HDMI out into HDMI in on some Soundbars. Soundbar HDMI out to HDMI IN on TV. Soundbar then extracts the audio to play and forwards the video to the TV screen. OR
- HDMI out into HDMI in on most TVs. HDMI ARC on TV OUT to HDMI in on Soundbar. TV extracts video for screen and passes through the audio to the soundbar. OR
- HDMI out into HDMI in on most TVs. Optical out of TV to optical in on Soundbar. TV extracts video for screen and passes through audio to the soundbar. This usually results in Stereo only audio but a few TVs will pass through surround sound too. I consider this the least desirable option in this list myself, as all of the other options will likely yield better sound and/or fuller sound mostly due to pass through of the fuller signal vs/ chopping it down to stereo only as this option often does.
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I use a stereo pair of HomePod minis across the room from the TV since launch, and have never had this issue ever. I do it every day.
Go to your settings and calibrate it. There should be zero sync issues afterward. Don't bash a feature that you don't know how to use.
And even in the high end TV sets, the UI / Response is slow as molasses. Can't scrub video like the Apple TV does.
SVoD Apps that we log in via Apple ID aren’t usually supported on a TV. For example we use a web browser with a choice of login with Apple on a Mac. Yes there are still some you don’t want to do that.
Yes, but every "Smart TV" I've ever had I found the interface slow and cumbersome, with apps and streaming video taking a lot of time to load. To me the ATV was worth the cost to avoid all the lag, but everyone has different priorities.
I don't see a lot of reason to upgrade though as I'm still using a 1st gen ATV 4K and it's plenty fast for streaming video.
Or in this case, what will the new version remove? The gigabit ethernet port, it turns out. Unless, of course, you splurge on the most expensive 128GB version.
Don't have two in the same room yet but definitely never noticed with one. And I definitely would because I definitely hate out of sync audio
I got the 2017 4K model and am still not tempted. The new remote is the only one I'm thinking about replacing but not going to pay the price I am asked for. I will wait until something bigger happens with Apple TV and replace it.
Honestly, I'm getting tired of all small hardware updates bringing nothing new.
Honestly, I'm getting tired of all small hardware updates bringing nothing new.
The HDMI 2.1 port information is wrong. No AppleTV has what most people would describe as and HDMI 2.1 port. Instead, the Apple TV 4k (2021, 2022) has one HDMI 2.1 feature (which is eARC). The port itself is still an 18 Gbps port which supports a max 4k@60 Hz. The rules around marketing HDMI state that version numbers can only be used in marketing regarding features, not the port/bandwidth - this is why the specifications have a footnote that clarifies that eARC is the HDMI 2.1 feature.
Apple TV 4K (Second-Generation, 2021)
- A12 Bionic chip (2.49 GHz, 6-core)
- Support for high-framerate HDR content up to 60 fps
- ARC and eARC support
- HDMI 2.1 port
- Wi-Fi 6
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Thread support
- Second-generation Siri Remote (Lightning charging port) included, featuring complete redesign with circular clickpad
- Support for audio output with 7.1.4 surround sound channels with Dolby Atmos
I’m 9.2.6 over my 2017 apple 4k tv
This article overlooked the genuine 1st generation Apple TV (2007). I still have two of these....
Apple TV hardware has HDMI output. HDMI stands for "high definition media interface", and handles both the video and audio of media. For the video, you need an external monitor, or TV. For the audio, you need external amplifiers for each of the audio channels. Typically these are contained in an AV amplifier, which you connect to the Apple TV and your (actual) TV via HDMI, and your eternal speakers via speaker cables. Good Luck ...
This. I have a Samsung "smart" TV but I use it exclusively with my Apple TV. I did try the built-in apps just to see how they compared - not even close. Slow, frustrating UX, full of ads.
I wished Apple kept the optical output, or better yet, put in an AUX with the Toslink, like the AirPort Express and some Macs.
But there are solutions with just HDMI. You can have it connected to an A/V Receiver or use the HDMI adapters that adds and audio output.
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About the only thing I can think of is the A12 and A15 I believe are limited to 60 fps. The C1 natively does 120 fps. I am not sure what streaming platform, if any, is doing 120 fps. So, unless the A15 version in the future gets bumped up to 120, I think you will be fine.
The A15 (128GB) version also has Thread networking support. So if home automation is a big thing for you, that may be a deciding point.