Apple TV does not play nicely with youtube.tv 4k

[absolutic]

I always knew that apple tv does not display youtube in 4K, for that you need to use Roku, Amazon stick, or other solutions. youtube is displayed at a maximum of HD 1080 even if you are watching 4k program.

However, I thought it was different with youtube.tv and its 4K feature. Unfortunately, I discovered differently at least with youtube.tv Olympics in 4K. Watching Olympics opening ceremony in '4K" on yotuube.tv app on apple tv, you are always in HD, you can go to a maximum of 1440 resolution.

I immediately switched to amazon fire stick, clicked on youtube.tv app. and voila, I can watch the same broadcast in real 4k 2180lines

Kind of pain, knowing that I can get great 4K on apple tv on any other app, other than youtube and now as I discovered, youtube tv. I watch youtube and youtube tv a lot. Hope at one point apple finds a solution to finally figure out its codecs to do 4K with youtube.

 

[mallbritton]

From Google, note the 2021 model of Apple TV: https://support.google.com/youtubetv/answer/10383365?hl=en#zippy=,find-programs-you-can-watch-in-k

4K playback is only available on compatible devices:

4K Smart TVs

4K Android TV models like Sony Bravia, and others
Samsung, LG and HiSense 4K Smart TVs (2016 or later)
4K Streaming Devices connected to a 4K TV

Chromecast with Google TV
4K Roku Streaming Devices
Apple TV 4K (2021)
PS4 Pro
Amazon Fire 4k Stick (1st Gen - 2018)
Nvidia Shield
Note: 4K is only available on select content for Apple TV and PS4 Pro. Some programs may have lower resolution.

If you’re having trouble seeing videos in 4K quality, see the tips below.

 

[absolutic]

From Google, note the 2021 model of Apple TV: https://support.google.com/youtubetv/answer/10383365?hl=en#zippy=,find-programs-you-can-watch-in-k

4K playback is only available on compatible devices:

4K Smart TVs

4K Android TV models like Sony Bravia, and others
Samsung, LG and HiSense 4K Smart TVs (2016 or later)
4K Streaming Devices connected to a 4K TV

Chromecast with Google TV
4K Roku Streaming Devices
Apple TV 4K (2021)
PS4 Pro
Amazon Fire 4k Stick (1st Gen - 2018)
Nvidia Shield
Note: 4K is only available on select content for Apple TV and PS4 Pro. Some programs may have lower resolution.

If you’re having trouble seeing videos in 4K quality, see the tips below.

my Apple tv 4k is the previous model, not 2021. But then, it appears from what you pointed out that even with 2021 Apple tv, '4K is only available on select content for Apple TV." Sounds like using 2018 Amazon Fire 4k stick is a safer choice.

 

[w5jck]

I suspect this is an intentional slight by Google toward Apple. I too have the ATV 4K 1st gen, and yes 4K HDR isn’t available via regular YouTube (not the .tv). I’m not sure about .tv version as I don’t subscribe. I can simply use my Amazon Fire TV Cube 2nd gen YouTube app or my Sony Bravia YouTube app to get 4K HDR though, so I’m not totally screwed in that regard. Ironically my iPad mini 5, iPad Air 2020, and iPhone XR all can use 4K HDR setting in YouTube and it looks good on all three even though none actually has true 4K resolution.

 

[mallbritton]

my Apple tv 4k is the previous model, not 2021. But then, it appears from what you pointed out that even with 2021 Apple tv, '4K is only available on select content for Apple TV." Sounds like using 2018 Amazon Fire 4k stick is a safer choice.

Yes, not all content is available in 4k from YouTube TV. In fact, 4k Olympic content is only available on NBC. I haven't watched the opening ceremonies yet, so can't report on what resolution it actually is.

However, I can get 4K resolution in YouTube on the previous model of Apple TV.

 

[mallbritton]

I suspect this is an intentional slight by Google toward Apple.

That is certainly possible.

 

[absolutic]

However, I can get 4K resolution in YouTube on the previous model of Apple TV.

I just read up and checked and yes they did activate 4K on simple youtube app last fall with a firmware. My original post needs a correction there.

 

[mallbritton]

If you're not on tvOS 14.7, time to upgrade.

 

[absolutic]

That is certainly possible.

I suspect this is an intentional slight by Google toward Apple. I too have the ATV 4K 1st gen, and yes 4K HDR isn’t available via regular YouTube (not the .tv).

it looks like it is now after last fall's firmware update - check if your apple tv is on the latest firmware. they unlocked 4k with that firmware.

I’m not sure about .tv version as I don’t subscribe. I can simply use my Amazon Fire TV Cube 2nd gen YouTube app or my Sony Bravia YouTube app to get 4K HDR though, so I’m not totally screwed in that regard. Ironically my iPad mini 5, iPad Air 2020, and iPhone XR all can use 4K HDR setting in YouTube and it looks good on all three even though none actually has true 4K resolution.

I do have both Amazon Fire Stick 4k and Roku 4k so I can always switch to these to play Youtube.tv in 4k. However, I do prefer apple tv to both, for its slick interface and I just love using apple tv. 4k in general looks great on apple tv. I have it attached to my 85 inch Sony XBR UltraHD LCD from 2018 and it is honestly better than movie theater experience.

 

[absolutic]

If you're not on tvOS 14.7, time to upgrade.

I just checked and I am on 14.6 - upgrading immediately to see if it makes any difference.

Edit: just upgraded to 14.7 - - youtube.tv 4K HDR Live NBC coverage still shows HD only and no capacity to pick 4K quality on apple tv.

 

[mallbritton]

Edit: just upgraded to 14.7 - - youtube.tv 4K HDR Live NBC coverage still shows HD only and no capacity to pick 4K quality on apple tv.

Ok, silly question... have you added the 4K add-on to your YTTV account? Even if you do, and you are still on the previous model of ATV I don't think you'll get content in 4K. I can't check it right now, but I can later this afternoon.

 

[absolutic]

Ok, silly question... have you added the 4K add-on to your YTTV account? Even if you do, and you are still on the previous model of ATV I don't think you'll get content in 4K. I can't check it right now, but I can later this afternoon.

Yep I sure did add 4K (free for now, then $9.99 a month for existing users)..... and you are right I just checked several other 4K programs featured by youtube.tv and on my previous gen APT, they are all displayed in 1080 only. Switched to Amazon firestick, and voila, everything plays in 4K.

I was wondering if anyone with a 2021 ATV who has youtube.tv and added 4K package, can confirm that 4K is played in 4K with 2021 ATV?

 

[mallbritton]

I just took a few minutes and took a look for myself and Google is not kidding about the 2021 ATV 4K being required. This photo of the Olympics opening ceremonies is from my 2021 ATV 4K, and it is indeed in 4K:


This photo is of the same video from my 2017 ATV 4K, and it is in HD:

 

[absolutic]

I just took a few minutes and took a look for myself and Google is not kidding about the 2021 ATV 4K being required. This photo of the Olympics opening ceremonies is from my 2021 ATV 4K, and it is indeed in 4K:
View attachment 1810118

This photo is of the same video from my 2017 ATV 4K, and it is in HD:
View attachment 1810119

Thank you for going through trouble to checking on this.