HTPC: Mac vs. Apple TV 4K

[ProQuiz]

If I want a HTPC for playing movies in MKV format via Infuse and streaming lossless and hi-res lossless music over Apple Music, would there be any difference between having an Apple TV 4K vs. a Mac?

 

[ProQuiz]

For MKV playback, Mac with Infuse is the way to go. Apple TV might need some workarounds. But Apple TV shines for streaming services and simplicity.

Infuse is available for tvOS as well.

 

[priitv8]

AppleTV 4K would also give you true Atmos music, if you have compatible Processor, AVR or soundbar.
I am not sure that a Mac will do, even over its HDMI port. Macs and iPhones/iPads only play spatial audio via Apple's spatial renderer, using only 2 channels (e.g. AirPods).

 

[erihp]

The difference? Hundreds of dollars?

Is this really a question? Spend the $100 on an ATV and try it yourself. Only you will know if the experience is acceptable to you.

Having an AppleTV is great. Is designed to be hooked up to a big display and has a nice UI and remote.

 

[gigatoaster]

I’ll be biased because that’s what I have: a Mac mini with Roon connected in USB to my amp for hi-res music, Transmission to download MKV Torrent in 4K DV or HDR and an Apple TV 4K HDR with Infuse Pro. That costs more than an average HTPC for sure but it’s convenient and it works flawlessly.

 

[erihp]

IMO better to have a bigger powerful backend, and light but capable clients at the edge that can do the video decoding in hardware and bitstream the audio to an external processor.

This approach makes the system much more scalable and 'light' on equipment required in each room with a display.

But by all means, your setup sounds like it works well for you.

 

[HDFan]

streaming lossless and hi-res lossless music

If you are streaming to a TV and want DTS-MA lossless you'll need to use an NVidia Shield.

 

[priitv8]

... MKV Torrent in 4K DV or HDR and an Apple TV 4K HDR with Infuse Pro. That costs more than an average HTPC for sure but it’s convenient and it works flawlessly.

What audio do you get from your setup? Especially considering you use MKV-s - how will Dolby Atmos come over from Bluray rips?

 

[gigatoaster]

Classic 2.0, I’m not a fan of 5.1 or Atmos. I watch mostly TV shows, although in 5.1 the content doesn’t require a 5.1 system. If I would have watched a majority of movies, I would have considered a real Atmos but it’s not the case for the moment.

 

[Eric Idle]

The difference? Hundreds of dollars?

Is this really a question? Spend the $100 on an ATV and try it yourself. Only you will know if the experience is acceptable to you.

Having an AppleTV is great. Is designed to be hooked up to a big display and has a nice UI and remote.

Apple TV's UI is an aject failure.

 

[erihp]

Apple TV's UI is an aject failure.

excuse me, what now?

 

[JRSmith42]

excuse me, what now?

Good question. I find Apple TV 4K to have the best UI out there; far better than the ad-laden junk elsewhere. Also. what does "aject" mean?

 

[gigatoaster]

He is using word he doesn’t understand.