How to tell whether the 2020 iMac is showing Apple TV Movies in 4K?

[AndySpeed]

My understanding is the 5k 2020 iMac can play 4k HDR movies in the Apple TV App in Catalina because of the T2 chip (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210980). I see the 4k branding for various movies on their store pages. I know you can only stream and not download 4k movies. Even with the download removed, I can't determine whether the computer is displaying a 4k stream or a 1080p one. Is there a way to determine if you're seeing a 4k stream? Thanks.

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

My understanding is the 5k 2020 iMac can play 4k HDR movies in the Apple TV App in Catalina because of the T2 chip (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210980). I see the 4k branding for various movies on their store pages. I know you can only stream and not download 4k movies. Even with the download removed, I can't determine whether the computer is displaying a 4k stream or a 1080p one. Is there a way to determine if you're seeing a 4k stream? Thanks.

If you have the 27in screen, you can simply eye-ball it. Real 4K videos are very distinctive from 1080.
Playback the same video in 1080p and 4k, view it from a short distance several times you can immediately tell the difference.
Even I can tell the difference between a 1080 and 2k Youtube video wearing my old-eye glasses. The difference between 1080 and 4k is much more.
Telling the difference between 4k and 5k videos maybe a little difficult with bare eyes.

 

[macrumor2018]

My understanding is the 5k 2020 iMac can play 4k HDR movies in the Apple TV App in Catalina because of the T2 chip (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210980). I see the 4k branding for various movies on their store pages. I know you can only stream and not download 4k movies. Even with the download removed, I can't determine whether the computer is displaying a 4k stream or a 1080p one. Is there a way to determine if you're seeing a 4k stream? Thanks.

On this page it says that all HDR content plays at resolutions up to 1080p, not 4K. Do you think Apple will actually bring 4K movies to the iMac via its TV app? The file download size would be pretty large in

 

[AndySpeed]

On this page it says that all HDR content plays at resolutions up to 1080p, not 4K. Do you think Apple will actually bring 4K movies to the iMac via its TV app? The file download size would be pretty large in

Mac models that support HDR​

Mac model with Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C)	Built-in display	External display with DisplayPort	External display with HDMI
MacBook Pro introduced in 2018 or later	HDR1	HDR	HDR2
MacBook Air introduced in 2018 or later	HDR1	SDR	SDR
iMac introduced in 2020	HDR	HDR	HDR
iMac Pro	HDR	HDR	HDR
Mac mini introduced in 2018 or later	—	HDR1	HDR3
Mac Pro introduced in 2019	—	HDR	HDR

1. Premium HDR content from Apple plays at resolutions up to 1080p (1920 x 1080).
2. If using Apple's adapter with HDMI on some 13-inch models, HDR content plays at resolutions up to 1080p.
3. All HDR content plays at resolutions up to 1080p.

The text you are referring to are footnotes that apply to the 2018 or later Mac Mini, or 2018 or later MacBook Air or Pro using the internal display. 4K content should be available for the 2020 iMac, the iMac Pro, and the 2019 Mac Pro. Your point with regard to file size is correct. Apple only allows streaming of 4K content, not downloading. See: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207949

You can download a copy of an HD movie to your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or PC, but you can't download a 4K version. You might be able to download Dolby Vision and HDR versions to your iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices.

This is probably also a copy protection measure. Has anyone been able to locate a way to view the quality of a Apple TV stream while playing, either a debug or inspector window?