Apple TV 4K vs 4th Gen - Honest Opinions?

[Coffee50]

Hey all, has anyone one used both of these & can provide a general comparison?

I don't have a 4K TV, but there's a Direct TV Now promo where I could get one, just seeing if it's worth it or provides any current benefit at all without having a 4K TV. (I know if I get a 4K TV at some point, that would be the kicker), but without having a 4K TV would there be any problem with this?

I've noticed a few threads detailing some issues., but just was looking for a general comparison.

In theory, I'd get the new 4K Apple TV & give my current 4th Gen to someone else, but just wanted to get thoughts from those who actually have or used both. Thanks

 

[martinm0]

Hey all, has anyone one used both of these & can provide a general comparison?

I don't have a 4K TV, but there's a Direct TV Now promo where I could get one, just seeing if it's worth it or provides any current benefit at all without having a 4K TV. (I know if I get a 4K TV at some point, that would be the kicker), but without having a 4K TV would there be any problem with this?

I've noticed a few threads detailing some issues., but just was looking for a general comparison.

In theory, I'd get the new 4K Apple TV & give my current 4th Gen to someone else, but just wanted to get thoughts from those who actually have or used both. Thanks

The ATV4 is perfectly fine. In all honesty, the 4k portion of the new ATV4k has been challenging in terms of getting things working correctly with proper HDMI cables, plus limited support from my receiver (only HDR, no Dolby Vision) plus the lack of auto switching from SDR to HDR/DV. Even movies I play in 4K DV or HDR look fine, but sometimes they are really grainy.

Unless you have a really nice 4k TV that does true HDR/DV, I wouldn't even worry about jumping to the ATV4k.

I also did the DTVNow promo earlier in the year and got two ATV4s. Totally worth it for the money.

 

[Coffee50]

The ATV4 is perfectly fine. In all honesty, the 4k portion of the new ATV4k has been challenging in terms of getting things working correctly with proper HDMI cables, plus limited support from my receiver (only HDR, no Dolby Vision) plus the lack of auto switching from SDR to HDR/DV. Even movies I play in 4K DV or HDR look fine, but sometimes they are really grainy.

Unless you have a really nice 4k TV that does true HDR/DV, I wouldn't even worry about jumping to the ATV4k.

I also did the DTVNow promo earlier in the year and got two ATV4s. Totally worth it for the money.

Thanks!!!

 

[tonyk23]

Based on the cost difference ~$30 or less I would go for the 4K for the following reasons:
1. Way faster!!!
2. Gigabit Ethernet!!!
3. Auto Frame-rate adjustment (ATV4 is 60hz only so 24hz movies can be jumpy)
4. You will get a 4K TV someday soon.

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

I'm with TonyK on this one.
ATV 4K is worth buying just for the auto frame rate adjuster!!! Seriously, this makes a world of difference when watching, well, anything!!! It means that film should not suffer from any judder especially when panning.
PLUS with the a10X chip, it's incredibly capable and of course, iTunes films are getting upgraded daily to 4K HDR/DV. At the end of September, we in the UK had 66 4K DV/HDR iTunes NOW just 6 weeks on, we have over 150!!! Imagine how many films will be 4K DV/HDR remastered in iTunes this time next year!

For me, the auto frame rate really makes this lil magic box a wonderful investment.

I love mine, we use it for 99% of our viewing and i'm sure that you'll find it an absolute pleasure.

 

[AVonGauss]

Deleted.

 

[tonyk23]

I haven't loaded the beta on a regular ATV4, so maybe this is already known, but are we sure the frame rate adjustment isn't also coming to the ATV4 with the tvOS 11.2 update?

So far it is not there in the latest Beta. I have read that the chip in the ATV4 is not capable of 24hz. I have 4 ATV4’s so I am hopping this is not true. Either way if I buy another Apple TV it will the 4K even though I only have one 4K TV.

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

I haven't loaded the beta on a regular ATV4, so maybe this is already known, but are we sure the frame rate adjustment isn't also coming to the ATV4 with the tvOS 11.2 update?

Sorry guys - only for the ATV 4K model. ATV4 is old to Apple now - all of their concentration is really going on the ATV 4K.

 

[Rigby]

Based on the cost difference ~$30 or less I would go for the 4K for the following reasons:
1. Way faster!!!
2. Gigabit Ethernet!!!
3. Auto Frame-rate adjustment (ATV4 is 60hz only so 24hz movies can be jumpy)
4. You will get a 4K TV someday soon.

If you buy new, I'd agree. But the OP already has the ATV4 and is considering to upgrade to the ATV4K without having a UHD display. Personally, I don't think it's worth it. Realistically the only thing remotely interesting would be the frame rate adjustment, but many newer TVs are very good at reverse pull down and thus can get rid of judder from a 60Hz signal as well.

 

[jockethebastard]

I have both and I can’t tell them apart. They are both very smooth and fast while opening apps and browsing menus.
But! The 4K has 1080/24p which makes a huge difference.

 

[priitv8]

But! The 4K has 1080/24p which makes a huge difference.

In my humble book, HDR is the biggest differentiator. HDR is also the biggest game change in TV/video industry since WWII.
So, by the time OP is ready to invest into a UHD screen, it will make most sense to get one that does good HDR as well.

 

[martinm0]

Keep in mind the OP has the ability to get the older ATV4 through DirecTVNOW promo, which should put the older ATV4 at a price of around ~$110 (assuming it's the same promo from last year). That puts these two devices at about a ~$60 price difference. Tony and Paul do make great points about the auto switching coming as well as the faster processor and gigabit ethernet, but I'm still going to stand by my initial statement that without a truly nice HDR TV, I don't think it would be worth the extra money spent to get the ATV4K over the ATV4 plus 3 month DTVNOW subscription for the OP.

However, if the promo is more expensive and the price gap is closer to the MSRP differences, I might suggest otherwise.

EDIT - this may all be moot based on this thread:

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...v-now-140-not-live-yet-start-nov17th.2088918/

 

[err404]

In my humble book, HDR is the biggest differentiator. HDR is also the biggest game change in TV/video industry since WWII.
So, by the time OP is ready to invest into a UHD screen, it will make most sense to get one that does good HDR as well.

HDR is nice, but after all of the hype I was left a bit disappointed. Sure it is nice to have light sources look like they are casting light instead of just be white patches on the screen (an HDR flashlight on the screen makes me recoil like a real flashlight is being shined in my eyes), the effect just doesn't add much to most content.
It is nice if the screen you already have is equipped with it. I just wouldn't advise most people upgrade their TV for HDR, yet. I say "yet" because the spec and usage are still maturing. Many HDR TV's sold right now will only partially show the benefit. I feel that HDR is a tech intended for a future of cheaper OLED TVs.

 

[priitv8]

I agree that there currently is more confusion with all these standards in HDR than clarity. But it will click into place sometime.
Yet, it is a most significant change in PQ since ages. Cameras have moved ahead, yet the screens we stare at, are still having specs dating back to CRT era.
Besides wider scale of brightness I also notice wider scale of colours (compared to BT.709/sRGB we are using in SDR).
I did not fully understand the difference until I remastered my own home video in HDR10 and did a side-by-side comparison. Difference is huge.

 

[mmm1345]

No, it's only worth it if you have a 4K TV and even that's questionable since I don't think the quality of the 4K Streams is that good and is disappointing. If you have a 4K then it's a no brainer because of the 4K upgrades.

 

[priitv8]

No, it's only worth it if you have a 4K TV and even that's questionable since I don't think the quality of the 4K Streams is that good and is disappointing.

Streaming is not the only way to enjoy 4K on appleTV.

 

[Juicy Box]

I don't own an ATV4K, but I own all the other models.

IMO, if you already had an ATV4, but did not own a 4K Tzv, then I would not buy an ATV4K.

If you were looking to buy your first ATV, I would go with an ATV4K regardless of your TV resolution. It isn't that much more, and you will probably replace your TV some day. If you find that you do t like the ATV4K, selling it would be much easier than an ATV4.

There is a DTV Now special promotion on both ATVs, so you can save money either way.

 

[i hate phones]

Is it necessary? no. I don't have a 4k tv (yet, come on xmas!), I had an atv 4 and upgraded to atv 4k... don't really notice any difference in its performance.

With that said, I sold my atv 4 for $100 not too long ago, so paying 140 for a 4k one (directv now special) and you can get $22 back if you use a cashback site (be frugal or topcashback) makes for a pretty cheap way to upgrade in case you ever do get a 4k tv. and you get 4 months of directv now with that. kind of a no brainer imo, unless you have absolutely no money to spare

 

[turbineseaplane]

I have both and I can’t tell them apart. They are both very smooth and fast while opening apps and browsing menus.
But! The 4K has 1080/24p which makes a huge difference.

That's what got me to get one, but only one, for our main OLED tv that we watch all the movies on.

Beyond that though, I'm staying with 4th gen models on other TV's around the house (they are all 1080p tv's anyhow).

The $140 4k from DirecTVnow deal was too good to pass up, even if you won't use the DTVnow part at all (I won't).

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

OP, do you want newer tech or "good enough" older tech? A lot of the arguments for sticking with the "4" could apply to questions about buying new iPhones, iPads & Macs too. Does your current iPhone, iPad, Mac do everything you want it to do good enough? Yes? Then no need to buy new versions of the same. If we all applied such logic, Apple would quickly go out of business.

For some reason, with this ONE product, we turn into the "good enough" crowd. But go try that over in iPhone, iPad or Mac threads. There you will get bombarded with 50 reasons to buy the latest & greatest whether you need it or not.

In your case, the reason to upgrade now is for faster hardware. It will "play" with your existing TV just fine, basically with hardware overkill for what you have now (making it a future proof purchase). As post #18 points out, you can probably get most of the purchase price by selling your 4. If you are going to do the DirecTVNow promo, that's going to "net" you a new TV5 and up to about $100. Auto frame rate means movies will play as intended rather than everything being dynamically adapted to 30fps.

So bottom line: faster tech (for now), future proof, auto frame rate detection AND about $100 cash in your pocket. Other than the modest hassle of posting a "for sale" ad on CL and probably having to work through a few prospects to find an actual buyer, is that not practically a no-brainer?

 

[Macalicious2011]

Buying a 4th Gn now doesn't make sense as it's resale value will be in a toilet in 2-3 years time when 4K TV have plummeted in the price to the point that upgrading is a no-brainier.

Save your self trouble by buying the 4K ATV now instead of having to upgrade when you eventually get a UHD TV.

 

[Mac 128]

Sorry guys - only for the ATV 4K model. ATV4 is old to Apple now - all of their concentration is really going on the ATV 4K.

Is this officially stated somewhere? I don't have a 4, so I wasn't paying close attention, but I thought I read that the 4 would receive the 1080p 24Hz support.