ATV4 sound vs ATV4K sound without 4k

[Colonel Badger]

Been reading with interest the new Atmos support in iOS 12 and heard some reports that basic sound quality has improved over and above Atmos with DD+.

My question is; is it only the ATV4K that gets recent sound improvements because it’s only encoded in 4K movies or does the ATV4 also get some improvement albeit without Atmos? Trying to work out whether it’s worth me to upgrade to an ATV4K from ATV4. I don’t have a 4K tv, do have an Atmos capable receiver but only run it in 5.1. Would I get any sound quality benefit ?

 

[priitv8]

You get the quality benefit from any movie that shows Dolby Digital Plus soundtrack, with or without Atmos.
All movies that show Atmos, carry DD+ soundtrack.

 

[Colonel Badger]

You get the quality benefit from any movie that shows Dolby Digital Plus soundtrack, with or without Atmos.
All movies that show Atmos, carry DD+ soundtrack.

So from what you’re saying I don’t get DD+ with my ATV4 ?
[doublepost=1538165132][/doublepost]Actually doing some googling it suggest the ATV4 does support DD+ 7.1

https://www.apple.com/ca/apple-tv/specs/

So I’m not sure I get any benefit.

 

[priitv8]

So from what you’re saying I don’t get DD+ with my ATV4 ?
[doublepost=1538165132][/doublepost]Actually doing some googling it suggest the ATV4 does support DD+ 7.1

https://www.apple.com/ca/apple-tv/specs/

So I’m not sure I get any benefit.

How come?
It says explicitly:
AC-3 (Dolby Digital 5.1) and E-AC-3 (Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround sound)

So you will get the improved sound of DD+ and as a bonus, 2 additional channels, if you have equipment to enjoy them.

 

[Colonel Badger]

How come?
It says explicitly:
AC-3 (Dolby Digital 5.1) and E-AC-3 (Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround sound)

So you will get the improved sound of DD+ and as a bonus, 2 additional channels, if you have equipment to enjoy them.

Maybe I’m missing something here. My existing ATV 4 already supports 7.1 DD+ so what does getting the ATV4K give that’s better ? ( given that I’m running a 5.1 setup )

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

If you're asking do you need to upgrade, it appears the answer is no.

There isn't "better" Dolby Digital Plus to be had only on the 4K. Dolby Digital Plus is Dolby Digital Plus. On your 5.1 setup, sound should be THE SAME. If anything, "downgrading" to the TV3 might offer a benefit of real audio pass-through (but that's a whole other audio track topic).

I think the "sound improvements" in the news is about the addition of Dolby Atmos. For that (to the max), you need more speakers than a 5.1 setup (and probably spectacularly-good speakers if you want to aim for Atmos to the max). Maybe some files that used to not be DD+ have it now as part of also getting Atmos. If so, that would be considered "sound improvements" too.

Reasons for someone to buy the "latest & greatest" TV when they have the prior gen are mostly the same general reasons for buying the latest iPhone, iPad or Mac: basics like faster, 1+ standout features like 4K video capability. If your "4" is fast enough for your needs and you don't care or want 4K video, the "4" is likely "good enough" for you. In that situation, "faster" may be the most important one. "Faster" means all apps you might enjoy can run more efficiently. This might make some favorite games play a little better and similar.

 

[priitv8]

Thank you, HobeSoundDarryl!
I could not have explained it better.