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ATV 4k 2.4Ghz vs 5Ghz
- Thread starter coolbreeze2
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I was asking because AT&T sent me a 2.4GHz only router. Before I call and request one with both, I wondered if it would make a difference with 5GHz.
It does depend a lot on your router set up. Run a speed test from your Apple TV with your current router. If you're consistently getting top speeds, then you're router should be fine for your Apple TV. If not, then 5GHz may benefit you. For me personally, my Apple TV gets much faster speeds at 5GHz.
I've always found it better to supply my own modem and router for broadband. With certain ISP's this can be tricky because their unit may have more functionality for other services (phone and TV). However with most ISP's if you have internet only you can make it work and often, for a small initial investment you can get better performance plus save on the equipment rental fee.
If you need to use their equipment they often lease you a modem/router combo. In those you can disable the router and connect your own router anyway. This would give you all the benefits of modern routers (2.4ghz and 5ghz, beam forming, wifi AC, etc etc). This is an "ok" option because usually the modem portion is good enough and meets/exceeds all the features they provide (channel bonding, etc).
The main benefit to 5ghz is the increase in available channels to avoid sharing one with a neighbor in more crowded areas. If that isn't an issue (very few wifi networks within range) than 2.4ghz is just fine.
However like mentioned if you ATV4k is close enough to the router using ethernet (cat 5e) would be your best bet for speed and reliability.
If you need to use their equipment they often lease you a modem/router combo. In those you can disable the router and connect your own router anyway. This would give you all the benefits of modern routers (2.4ghz and 5ghz, beam forming, wifi AC, etc etc). This is an "ok" option because usually the modem portion is good enough and meets/exceeds all the features they provide (channel bonding, etc).
The main benefit to 5ghz is the increase in available channels to avoid sharing one with a neighbor in more crowded areas. If that isn't an issue (very few wifi networks within range) than 2.4ghz is just fine.
However like mentioned if you ATV4k is close enough to the router using ethernet (cat 5e) would be your best bet for speed and reliability.
If your broadband speed is greater than about 60Mbps then you would benefit having a 5GHz router. 2.4 GHz is like having wireless g speeds. Very slow compared to what 5GHz could offer. But if your internet speed is only around 50-60Mbps then you wouldn't gain anything as your connection is not fast enough to saturate the 2.4GHz.
Now, 2.4GHz has better range than 5GHz if that is a concern. It took FOREVER, but Apple has FINALLY put GB ethernet on the ATV 4K. Wired is best and can give you up to 950Mbps. Previous ATV only had 10/100 ethernet so it was actually faster to run the older ATV's on 5GHz wireless, as wired ethernet would top out at around 93Mbps.
You would also see the benefit of improved wireless connection speeds in accessing anything on your local network. A NAS, for example. Or AirPlay streaming from one of your own devices to appleTV.
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I stopped using seperate ssdis for 2.4/5ghz a few months ago via Sky Fibre.
No probs at all with internet access.
Apple 4kt.v. Is excellent for movies etc-signal strenght has 5 bars for internet connection.
Unfortunately I can’t test difference as Sky Q network determines when it’s using 2.4/5 ghz as part of mesh type network.