Apple TV tvOS Simulator Shown Running in 4K Resolution

[MacRumors]

Developer Steve Troughton-Smith today shared the spoils of his latest hacking efforts by tweeting screenshots of Apple's tvOS Simulator running in 4K - the screen resolution said to be supported in a rumored fifth-generation Apple TV.

tvOS is officially made to run in the standard 1920x1080 HD resolution, but what Troughton-Smith's hack shows is that the Apple TV operating system is perfectly suited to running at double the pixel density (3840x2160), commonly referred to as 4K resolution, thanks to user interface assets like text and icons that are made to scale cleanly given the same aspect ratio.

Hello tvOS@2x pic.twitter.com/EnNdo1xCOY - Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) August 8, 2017

The simple scale doubling is reminiscent of the 2x iOS asset resolution requirement that Apple introduced back in 2010 with the arrival of Retina displays, and comes at a time when Apple is rumored to be readying a new, fifth-generation Apple TV capable of streaming 4K video.

Just last weekend iOS developer Guilherme Rambo discovered a reference to a 4K HDR display mode in the HomePod's firmware, which has proved a trove of hints related to Apple's upcoming hardware releases. MacRumors subsequently discovered the string J105a in the HomePod firmware, consistent with the fifth-generation Apple TV's internal codename first revealed by Bloomberg in February. Additional strings unearthed in the code also suggest a forthcoming Apple TV could support both the Dolby Vision and HDR10 color formats for high-dynamic range video.

tvOS Simulator scaled to 2x resolution for 3840x2160​

Adding further fuel to rumors of an imminent 4K-capable Apple TV, Apple recently listed selected movies as 4K and HDR in iTunes purchase history. While the content is still only playable in standard definition or HD, the change suggests Apple is preparing to offer the higher definition formats for a new TV box.

The launch date is unclear for a possible new Apple TV, which has been rumored since December 2015, but given the recent uptick in references to 4K resolution by Apple, it's not unreasonable to suggest the company could be readying a release for the new TV box before the end of the year.

Article Link: Apple TV tvOS Simulator Shown Running in 4K Resolution

 

[jmh600cbr]

It bothers me that this is a big deal. The apple I remember woild have released the ATV 3 in 4k. Multiple years ahead not barely scathing behind.

 

[powerless]

It bothers me that this is a big deal. The apple I remember woild have released the ATV 3 in 4k. Multiple years ahead not barely scathing behind.

What do you do with a cow?


You milk it!

 

[X--X]

Experts have found that for you to see a difference between 1080p and 4k, you need a giant 80" TV and sit as close as 6.5 feet.

Short: Nobody needs 4k, you can't see it. It's a marketing gimmick.

HDR on the other hand, makes a real difference.

 

[Jsameds]

Experts have found that for you to see a difference between 1080p and 4k, you need a giant 80" TV and sit as close as 6.5 feet.

Short: Nobody needs 4k, you can't see it. It's a marketing gimmick.

HDR on the other hand, makes a real difference.

4K TV owner here. I can see the difference sitting 8ft away from my 55". It's so smooth and gaming jaggies are reduced massively.

Everything you have said was also said when 1080p TVs were new.

 

[JuuBBe]

Experts have found that for you to see a difference between 1080p and 4k, you need a giant 80" TV and sit as close as 6.5 feet.

Short: Nobody needs 4k, you can't see it. It's a marketing gimmick.

HDR on the other hand, makes a real difference.

You're joking.. Right?

 

[Sunny1990]

This is Good news, I want to try out Apple TV, but had a feeling 4K should be imminent.

 

[mmm1345]

Experts have found that for you to see a difference between 1080p and 4k, you need a giant 80" TV and sit as close as 6.5 feet.

Short: Nobody needs 4k, you can't see it. It's a marketing gimmick.

HDR on the other hand, makes a real difference.

Wow, just WOW. Who are these experts??????

Just because YOU can't see the difference doesn't mean NOBODY can. Your post is everything that is wrong with the internet. Arrogant people commenting on stuff they clearly know NOTHING about.

The larger the display size the better the viewing experience, but that's also true of 1080P. So yes, clearly an 80 inch TV will really show it off, but in REALITY 4K is amazing on TVs generally 50 inch and above. If you watch ANYTHING from 6.5 feet it will look "good."

I personally have a very nice 55 Inch 4K HDR TV and I can say I CAN see the difference. Depending on what I'm watching it is NIGHT AND DAY different and BETTER. So please don't tell me what MY experience is and what I need and do a little research before spreading your "forceful," "self-assured" ignorance.

 

[m.x]

It bothers me that this is a big deal. The apple I remember woild have released the ATV 3 in 4k. Multiple years ahead not barely scathing behind.

This is complete nonsense, sorry. So you think they would have released a 4K Apple TV in March 2012?

I was also disappointed that the fourth Apple TV was 1080p only. However, the WWDC keynote showed me that they are clearly aware of 4K, but they needed one big thing to arrive: HEVC. Without it, the bandwidth required to watch 4K would have been too high. Apple states that you need 8 Mbit/s for streaming content in 1080p, while 4K eats up the bandwidth. Roku states that you need up to 25 Mbit/s. That's way too much for Apple standards and the only way to bring it down is by using HEVC. They had to wait for it, and the next Apple TV will be unveiled this fall with 4K content on iTunes, being the first 4K streaming box which has no gigantic requirements for streaming 4K.

 

[MH01]

Wow, just WOW. Who are these experts??????

Just because YOU can't see the difference doesn't mean NOBODY can. Your post is everything that is wrong with the internet. Arrogant people commenting on stuff they clearly know NOTHING about.

The larger the display size the better the viewing experience, but that's also true of 1080P. So yes, clearly an 80 inch TV will really show it off, but in REALITY 4K is amazing on TVs generally 50 inch and above. If you watch ANYTHING from 6.5 feet it will look "good."

I personally have a very nice 55 Inch 4K HDR TV and I can say I CAN see the difference. Depending on what I'm watching it is NIGHT AND DAY different and BETTER. So please don't tell me what MY experience is and what I need and do a little research before spreading your "forceful," "self-assured" ignorance.

How can you tell ?

I mean, do you have a 55 inch 4K next to a 55 inch 1080P?

I have seen two high quality large TV sets, 4K and 1080P in a store next to each other, and the there was no Night and day difference. Unless I got very close. At normal viewing angles/distance, the difference was minor for me. Money better spend on OLED.

Now take a monitor, which is in your face, 4K comes into its own.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Then 4k is coming.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Experts have found that for you to see a difference between 1080p and 4k, you need a giant 80" TV and sit as close as 6.5 feet.

Short: Nobody needs 4k, you can't see it. It's a marketing gimmick.

HDR on the other hand, makes a real difference.

You need to stop reading everything on the internet without being just a tad critical.

 

[kylefsu32]

How can you tell ?

I mean, do you have a 55 inch 4K next to a 55 inch 1080P?

Actually, I did have my 65" 4K TV right next to my 65" 1080P TV when I first purchased the 4K set. It was night and day difference with video that was made for 4K. Even my wife, who will happily watch a old SD show and could care less about HD was amazed.

I do agree that HDR adds even more on top of 4K, but 4K alone is stunning.

 

[MrZippyUK]

Question is will we finally see 24p frame rate? I think that is quite important as that’s the native frame rate for film, probably more so that 4K.

 

[bornmann]

Love how the only person talking sense is getting bashed by everyone – even people who think that resolution could benefit a smooth image. LOL. There should be absolutely no debate about 4K and 1080p. Your eye can’t see the difference unless the screen is really close and/or huge. If you think you can see a difference, bravo, that’s how marketing works. Any difference you really see is just years of display technology having developed ahead, and these displays also feature 4K, but it isn’t the thing making everything better.

Do your reading and stop ******** all over people talking sense. https://carltonbale.com/does-4k-resolution-matter/

 

[Jsameds]

Love how the only person talking sense is getting bashed by everyone – even people who think that resolution could benefit a smooth image. LOL. There should be absolutely no debate about 4K and 1080p. Your eye can’t see the difference unless the screen is really close and/or huge. If you think you can see a difference, bravo, that’s how marketing works. Any difference you really see is just years of display technology having developed ahead, and these displays also feature 4K, but it isn’t the thing making everything better.

Do your reading and stop ******** all over people talking sense. https://carltonbale.com/does-4k-resolution-matter/

I have Rise of the Tomb Raider on PS4 Pro. You can switch on the fly between 1080p and 4K, which negates the "display technology having developed" aspect.

The difference is night and day and no, you don't have to be really close to see the difference.

 

[bornmann]

I have Rise of the Tomb Raider on PS4 Pro. You can switch on the fly between 1080p and 4K, which negates the "display technology having developed" aspect.

The difference is night and day and no, you don't have to be really close to see the difference.

Can’t argue with your scientific test. Congratulations on your superpowers, please use them for good.

 

[JOHNGAETANO]

A little frustrating that they don't already have 4k. I mean come on, it's 2017, and we still don't have it, AND we are now forced to buy new Apple TV's, yet again, if we want it.

 

[Jsameds]

Can’t argue with your scientific test. Congratulations on your superpowers, please use them for good.

Of course it's not scientific, but on one hand I've got my own eyes telling me one thing and on the other "experts" on the internet telling me I can't see the difference that I can clearly see.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Short: Nobody needs 4k, you can't see it. It's a marketing gimmick.

I remember when the luddites were pounding the table that 1080p media was a gimmick; that upscaling a DVD to 1080i was to the eyes the same thing. You know what -- I can't even look at a DVD now and wonder how there was a time I thought DVD PQ was so amazing that I could never view a VHS tape again.

Nobody needs 4k, maybe. Nobody needed 1080p either. I mean it took years for even 720p and 16:9 to take hold. Actually it took the government revoking the analog frequency licenses and rendering analog TV's more-or-less useless for people to start buying those funny looking rectangle TVs.

Gimmick or not 4K it's fast becoming a standard. 4K sets are not much of a premium anymore and in some sizes it's all that is available. So, yes, people want to watch media in the set's native resolution, and yes, Apple needs a box capable of that if it wants to be in the streaming game.

But the real question is not will Apple push out a 4K ATV this year. That is a foregone conclusion if they want to remain credible in the streaming space, especially being the most expensive box you can buy. The question is will Apple (Tim Cook) be nervy enough to charge a premium for it? Will he jack up the already exorbitant ATV price even more like iPad Air 2 to iPP 9.7?

The savvy move to me would be to kill the competition and set the 32GB 4K ATV at $99. But I wonder if Tim Cook can really see the future for the single $ bills covering his eyes. The ATV is the gateway to the profit center, not the profit center. Simple give away the razor stick and to sell refills concept.

 

[BJMRamage]

so, if the TVos is scalable then it could potentially be upscaled to 8K. :O

 

[iMi]

Experts have found that for you to see a difference between 1080p and 4k, you need a giant 80" TV and sit as close as 6.5 feet.

Short: Nobody needs 4k, you can't see it. It's a marketing gimmick.

HDR on the other hand, makes a real difference.

I think this is true in theory. It makes assumptions about the viewing distance and our ability to see individual pixels. It seems to ignore the cumulative effect of the higher resolution though.

I can clearly see the difference between programming running at 4K versus 1080P on the 65" screen we have. HDR absolutely makes a difference, but resolution does as well. At least to my eye.

 

[X--X]

You're joking.. Right?

Wow, just WOW. Who are these experts??????

You need to stop reading everything on the internet without being just a tad critical.

You guys should educate yourselves, before "lol-ing" too much.

1080p HD vs 4k movie and TV content = can't see difference with your home television. Period. (If you're human)

[...] when you’re watching TV in a real-world situation there’s a ceiling to the amount of resolution the human eye can perceive. That ceiling was surpassed when we moved from SD to HD.

A fair and controlled comparison between HD and 4k shows almost no difference for normal TV viewing conditions, and in fact “4k” content often comes from 2k source footage, and almost always has artificial sharpening added to it in mastering — that’s fake sharpening that is (technically speaking) a degradation, but adds perceptual sharpness. The sharpening would look the same if applied to an HD image instead of a 4k image.


MORE HERE: https://theasc.com/articles/a-clear-look-at-the-issue-of-resolution

DEMO VIDEO: http://www.yedlin.net/DisplayPrepDemo/

 

[Jsameds]

You can't see 4k in your home setting. Period.

Ok.

But I can.

 

[darkarn]

I only want a more powerful ATV, that's all

A8 is way too old for today's standards