Apple TV+ Offers Highest Quality 4K Streaming, Averaging Up to 29Mbps

[oneMadRssn]

It is so wrong I consider flagging it. Generally speaking MacRumours isn't exactly a place for any technical discussion, whether that is Hardware or Software, but then people read MacRumours forum and take everything people said or reported as fact.

I do wonder how is Apple going to handle the traffic. And if they are serving this *only* via their CDN.

I imagine they'll have challenges, similar to what Netflix experiences, if the services grows and has to scale. Nevertheless, I appreciate a competitor getting into the space and putting some importance in quality for those that have higher bandwidth internet.

 

[megfilmworks]

Bitrate means nothing. It's the compression settings that matter more. If anyone's used handbrake with some advanced settings, you'll know that bitrate only matters so much. I can compress a full length 2hr 1080p movie down to about 3.5gb in file size with almost no noticeable difference in picture quality unless you pixel peek overlaying the original and compressed still frames. Granted, the 3.5gb file size is typically with movies where there isn't a lot of noise/grain.

Furthermore, bitrate is absolutely a moot point when the content sucks. Given Apple's inability to produce a solid product even in their own tech market... I have ZERO confidence in Apple knowing how to make a movie or TV series.

That’s incorrect on your first point.
And I have ZERO confidence that you understand compression. 🤣

 

[Duncan-UK]

I'm sure Breaking Bad started around 2008 so it's no surprise there's no 4K version on iTunes. Maybe in time it will be re-released in 4K as long as it's done right and not a lazy upscale effort.

So are the Amazon UHD version is an upscale? What about Better Call Saul? Made in 4K but only HD on iTunes. Its really rather rubbish that Apple aren't requesting the very best versions of these programmes or explaining why they are only in HD.

 

[trifid]

I'm getting horrible SD pixelated quality in Safari, I can't figure out how to watch Apple TV+ on my Macbook Pro 2018 in HD. This is BS.

 

[PickUrPoison]

I'm getting horrible SD pixelated quality in Safari, I can't figure out how to watch Apple TV+ on my Macbook Pro 2018 in HD. This is BS.

Yours is literally the first complaint about PQ I’ve read. If you’re on WiFi, it’s likely your issue; interference would be the most likely cause. If you’re on Ethernet, it’s probably an ISP or a network issue.

 

[trifid]

Yours is literally the first complaint about PQ I’ve read. If you’re on WiFi, it’s likely your issue; interference would be the most likely cause. If you’re on Ethernet, it’s probably an ISP or a network issue.

I tried both WiFi and Ethernet, Netflix works perfect, always HD, I don't generally have any issues with streaming. I've tried this on different days and at different times, to make sure it wasn't just one day at peak time.

I unplugged my external monitors to make sure it wasn't a HDCP issue, and no, same results.

I tried it on my Apple TV 4K, and it's perfect HD. I guess Apple is limiting playback on Macs to SD?

 

[PickUrPoison]

<snip>
I tried it on my Apple TV 4K, and it's perfect HD. I guess Apple is limiting playback on Macs to SD?

I can’t imagine there’s any reason they’d be doing that, but there’s obviously something going on. Frustrating.

 

[ipponrg]

I tried both WiFi and Ethernet, Netflix works perfect, always HD, I don't generally have any issues with streaming. I've tried this on different days and at different times, to make sure it was just one day at peak time.

I unplugged my external monitors to make sure it wasn't a HDCP issue, and no, same results.

I tried it on my Apple TV 4K, and it's perfect HD. I guess Apple is limiting playback on Macs to SD?

That is very possible. Would be curious if you can try in Internet Explorer or Chrome. I know each browser has its own issues with DRM. If content got stolen in the browser, some studios would rather SD copies get stolen over their HD/UHD.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Minor bump on this topic. I've just started watching season 4 of Amazon's very excellent The Man in the High Castle in 4K UHD. Goodness, it highlights the video quality advantage that Apple TV+ holds in the digital streaming space. Whilst clearly 4K resolution, the dynamic range is awful. Wishy-washy black levels that fade to silver in any dark scene that demand depth and shadow detail. The poorly-lit night scenes at the end of the episode are laughable. By direct comparison, the very darkest scenes in the premiere episode of Apple's Dickinson run rings Amazon's efforts at "UHD".

 

[HDFan]

I've just started watching season 4 of Amazon's very excellent The Man in the High Castle in 4K UHD. Goodness, it highlights the video quality advantage that Apple TV+ holds in the digital streaming space. Whilst clearly 4K resolution, the dynamic range is awful. Wishy-washy black levels that fade to silver in any dark scene that demand depth and shadow detail.

I looked at Season 4 Episode 1 via the Amazon Apple TV app. The dark scenes in the cave about 3 minutes in were perfect - none of the problems you described. I'm wondering if you are having a TV issue.

 

[Jim Lahey]

I looked at Season 4 Episode 1 via the Amazon Apple TV app. The dark scenes in the cave about 3 minutes in were perfect - none of the problems you described. I'm wondering if you are having a TV issue.

Nope. No TV issue. UHD Blu-ray looks perfect. Apple TV+ looks perfect. Amazon UHD has grey blacks and generally poor dynamic range. I am viewing on a HDR OLED TV so it's possible that users of LED/LCD wouldn't notice the poorer contrast because their panels don't have the same potential to display a bottomless black. Of course I have no idea what you are viewing on, but the difference for me is extremely clear. Amazon's UHD streaming just doesn't look all that good in scenes that demand high contrast and deep shadow detail. Most likely the dynamic range is just crushed out of all recognition by much higher compression and lesser bitrate.

 

[HDFan]

I am viewing on a HDR OLED TV

Same, c8. Amazon's bit rate is usually higher than Netflix's 4K bitrate but neither compares to the 25 Mbps of the morning show.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Same, c8. Amazon's bit rate is usually higher than Netflix's 4K bitrate but neither compares to the 25 Mbps of the morning show.

Don’t get me started on Netflix. I actually downgraded my account to 1080p SDR as it looks better. I am considering cancelling altogether after I binge season 3 of The Crown. Growing tired of their dubious content value and substandard AV quality.

 

[iSayuSay]

Is there anyway to check what’s the original resolution of ATV+ stream? At my home office I am using an Apple TV 4K plugged into an 1080p plasma TV.

The connection there is a mediocre 30Mbps (barely surpass the bitrate mentioned in this article), and I get a horrible start every time I try to watch TV+ episode. Spinning wheels take a while and it always start with blurry SD stream for the first 2-3 minutes until it settles down and I’m getting HD pictures.

I am assuming average Mbps stream in the article is for streaming at 4K, right? Then an 1080p stream should be around 10 or 15Mbps I assume? Remember I only use an 1080p TV, yet my 30Mbps internet seems to have a choke on it.

Does the TV+ with ATV 4K insist a 4K stream and downscale it to my fullHD resolution?

 

[HDFan]

Is there anyway to check what’s the original resolution of ATV+ stream?

Yes. Install the Xcode Developer Playback HUD on your Apple TV and it will give you that and much more.

 

[iSayuSay]

Yes. Install the Xcode Developer Playback HUD on your Apple TV and it will give you that and much more.

oh wow thankyou for that! So do you think it’s true that ATV4K will enforce a 4K stream from TV+ regardless of the TV resolution?

It seems your stream data holds up very well against aforementioned article. 26Mbps in average and tops at 30Mbps for 4K videos.

And my 30Mbps internet seems to choke on TV+ stream to my 1080p TV. That is a strange coincidence.

 

[garrick2007]

Bitrate means nothing. It's the compression settings that matter more. If anyone's used handbrake with some advanced settings, you'll know that bitrate only matters so much. I can compress a full length 2hr 1080p movie down to about 3.5gb in file size with almost no noticeable difference in picture quality unless you pixel peek overlaying the original and compressed still frames. Granted, the 3.5gb file size is typically with movies where there isn't a lot of noise/grain.

Furthermore, bitrate is absolutely a moot point when the content sucks. Given Apple's inability to produce a solid product even in their own tech market... I have ZERO confidence in Apple knowing how to make a movie or TV series.

There are some great shows on TV + and you have to think... Apple doesn't have to produce a great show, all they have to do is hire the best or whoever they want to do the job. Also as far as compression, they made "Compressor".... im pretty sure they know what they are doing. TV + looks a hole lot better then Netflix & most other streaming services. Im pretty sure its simply because of the bit rate, Example.... Youtube VS Vimeo yes other settings do matter like keyframe and multi-pass but honestly thats common sense in this conversation....you can only compress so much until you need more bits per second.