New Apple TV 4K Supports WiFi 6, Thread and HDMI 2.1

[AussieStu]

Very underwhelming update.
So waited for years for a spec update that I could have made over lunch on a Tuesday afternoon. With no real features that stand out I think I’ll buy the older 4K version.

 

[Cashmonee]

Your TV might be technically capable of operating at 120Hz (I’m guessing it’s an OLED?) but you’re not getting 120fps over HDMI 2.0.

Those who own recent higher end TVs purchased in the past few years likely will have at least one HDMI 2.1 port, and so the new ATV4K will be a very good choice for them, if only to future proof. If the TV only has HDMI 2.0, like yours does, then you will need to buy a new TV.

However, there is not much 120fps content right now, so the feature sets of HDMI 2.1 is of limited value at the current time.

In the event Apple unlocks the 120fps feature of HDMI 2.1 via a firmware update, then I’d say that would be a good time to perhaps get a new TV.

Pretty sure this is incorrect. HDMI 2.0 supports 120hz at 1080 and 1440. To get 4K/120, HDMI 2.1 is required.

For those wanting to know more about what HDMI 2.1 actually brings:

HDMI 2.2 Specification Overview

HDMI 2.1b technology enables end-to-end 8K & 4K solutions, faster refresh rates, and Dynamic HDR support. ✓ Click here to learn more about HDMI 2.1b 2.2

www.hdmi.org

The headline feature is 4K/120, but it brings a lot of other benefits as well. Variable refresh rate (VRR), auto low latency mode (ALLM), quick switching of devices, and eARC are a the big ones. Apple were right to include it and at this point I would not be purchasing a TV or set top box without it.

 

[AVEGA]

120 mode for TV OS 15. Maybe 15.1 but that's all but guaranteed to be coming via update in next year or so.

 

[vipergts2207]

Very underwhelming update.
So waited for years for a spec update that I could have made over lunch on a Tuesday afternoon. With no real features that stand out I think I’ll buy the older 4K version.

So what were you wanting/expecting?

 

[ErikGrim]

No gaming story. Three generation old chip. No U1 remote. No spatial AP audio. No HomeKit story (other than silently adding thread).

The remote looks like a nice upgrade though.

 

[Alan Gordon]

Very underwhelming update.
So waited for years for a spec update that I could have made over lunch on a Tuesday afternoon. With no real features that stand out I think I’ll buy the older 4K version.

Unless you can get a major discount, why would you intentionally buy a discontinued product?

 

[Apleeseed84]

Color Correction with your iphone is the biggest feature I am completely looking forward to. Believe it or not I already do this, sometimes the color correction looks better on my ipad/iphone therefore i literally sat down and managed to match a scene from my phone to the TV, this would make it automatically and I love it. This is the only product out of this round that I want lolol

and that’s damn remote auto turning on my tv/home theater FINALLY an on/off button HAHAHAHA seriously i sleep with my remote close by and sometimes I place it under my pillow and to wake up with my tv turning on because I accidentally touched the remote with my hair was annoying Lmao it’s the little things

 

[sclawis300]

Recently got a newer Samsung TV and it has AppleTV baked in, not really sure what the benefit is as newer TVs that support 4K HDR, HDMI 2.1 already have Netlifx, Amazon etc. built in. For older non-smart TVs I can see the appeal of an Apple TV but a FireStick Lite is $20.

Did you read the terms and conditions? My tv wants to track everything I watch.

 

[leicaman]

WIFI 6? Awesome!!!!!!!!!!! My Nighthawk router can handle that just fine then. Attach the TV4K to the back of my 4K TV and only need one power cable going up the wall.

 

[Alan Gordon]

Did you read the terms and conditions? My tv wants to track everything I watch.

I actually like that. Lets companies know I don't like watching crap.

 

[iReality85]

Pretty sure this is incorrect. HDMI 2.0 supports 120hz at 1080 and 1440. To get 4K/120, HDMI 2.1 is required.

When talking about HDMI 2.1, the context of the discussion is usually 4K, so it doesn’t really need to be qualified.

120fps has long been achievable at 1080p and 1440p even prior to HDMI 2.0.

 

[Blowback]

My question precisely. I already have two Apple TV 4Ks and without support for spatial audio on my AirPods Max, I'm not seeing any reason to upgrade.

Sure it isn't the (sound) device or software? I have an ATV HD and get Spatial Audio on my AirPods Pros???

 

[Blowback]

Did you read the terms and conditions? My tv wants to track everything I watch.

Same here...new Samsung also...Totally removed it from the Net and use Apple TV. If there were a simple way to remove all the Samsung garbage apps, to make selecting what I want easier , I would.

 

[Eorlas]

What’s hdmi 2.1 for if it doesn’t do 120Hz

probably the other features of hdmi 2.1. it also could be a feature enabled at a later date. it's not a terribly necessary thing for the ATV specifically to have right this very moment. 120hz isnt necessary for film or tv right now, but it would be great for apple arcade games, and other gaming applications such as steam link.

 

[Dorv]

Agree with underwhelming update. M1 would've made sense. This brings almost nothing to a person with the A10X Apple TV. There's almost no HFR HDR content and the processors are about equal in regards to graphics performance.

The HFR is one of the things that’s encouraging my upgrade. Every streaming 4K HDR sporting event I’ve been interested in was HFR, and thus I had to move my bedroom Roku to my main TV in order to watch. I suspect HFR will be the trend for live sports broadcast in HDR.

Plus I can replace that Roku in my bedroom with the Apple TV I’m replacing downstairs.

and WiFi 6. That’s helpful.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I'm interested in the new ATV. I don't have a 4k set but the new remote working in conjunction with my home theater sound like a good option. Plus the Dolby features .

I’m in the same vote.
On the fence of ordering a 4K monitor to use with computer Mac and iPad Pro should I use it as a TV and connect an Apple TV 4K ??

 

[Dreamer2go]

Missed opportunity to not include WiFi 6E.

 

[BeatCrazy]

I cannot speak for the Xbox units or PS5, but my TV supports 4K and Dolby Vision. I'm pretty sure the Apple TV app on my Xbox One S supports 4K/DV, but I've never used it, so can't say.

Just because your TV supports 4K and Dolby Vision, doesn’t mean that the AppleTV app also passes along those features.

I stand by my statement: only the Apple TV (device) supports 4K and Dolby Vision. Unless someone can offer me contradictory evidence. I have both PS5 and Xbox Series X, and neither of their respective Apple TV apps supports 4K/DV.

 

[lhammer610]

Any word on audio passthrough with this new model? This is essential to make the Apple TV a true home theatre device.

Although I believe it is software that is limiting this rather than hardware.

I am not sure I understand your comment. If the Apple TV connects directly to a AV receiver, why would audio pass through be needed? And if it is connected to a TV, then the TV would need to support audio pass through to the AV receiver.

I don’t see any reason for the AppleTV to support audio pass through. What am I missing?

 

[Alan Gordon]

Just because your TV supports 4K and Dolby Vision, doesn’t mean that the AppleTV app also passes along those features.

I stand by my statement: only the Apple TV (device) supports 4K and Dolby Vision. Unless someone can offer me contradictory evidence. I have both PS5 and Xbox Series X, and neither of their respective Apple TV apps supports 4K/DV.

Sorry, I guess I should've been clearer. The TV's Apple TV offers 4K and Dolby Vision on my TV.

Here's a chart of some of the devices which support 4K/Dolby Vision/HDR10:

LINK

Also available on the new Google Chromecast model as well:

SOURCE

 

[benh911f]

Just because your TV supports 4K and Dolby Vision, doesn’t mean that the AppleTV app also passes along those features.

I stand by my statement: only the Apple TV (device) supports 4K and Dolby Vision. Unless someone can offer me contradictory evidence. I have both PS5 and Xbox Series X, and neither of their respective Apple TV apps supports 4K/DV.

I have at ATV4K, but I’ve also tested the Apple TV app on my LG B9 and got 4K and Dolby Vision.

 

[Realityck]

Hopefully it gets audio passthru for true Dolby Atmos in Plex, and I can retire my shield tv

Why not call it Enhanced Audio Return Channel (also known as eARC), less confusion

I guess this depends if Apple really did update the HDMI interface to 2.1 or not. Its like they are trying to market a product and throw out the high frame rate term yet its not enabled. The face that they say A12 is a massive improvement to the A10X has me shaking my head.

 

[iSayuSay]

A12 Bionic isn’t much of an upgrade compared to A10x. Considering Apple TV will have a much scarcer updates, this is lame.

They should just go with A14? Remember the current ATV 4K was released at 2017 when A10x was hot, and still being used for iPad Pros at the time.

 

[Alan Gordon]

Why not call it Enhanced Audio Return Channel (also known as eARC), less confusion

I guess this depends if Apple really did update the HDMI interface to 2.1 or not. Its like they are trying to market a product and throw out the high frame rate term yet its not enabled. The face that they say A12 is a massive improvement to the A10X has me shaking my head.

The specs page lists HDMI 2.1:

Apple TV 4K

 

[Chiromac81]

Just because your TV supports 4K and Dolby Vision, doesn’t mean that the AppleTV app also passes along those features.

I stand by my statement: only the Apple TV (device) supports 4K and Dolby Vision. Unless someone can offer me contradictory evidence. I have both PS5 and Xbox Series X, and neither of their respective Apple TV apps supports 4K/DV.

You couldn’t be more wrong