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New Apple TV Anytime Soon?

New A TV Hardware Announced in September?

  • Yes

    Votes: 6 20.0%

  • No

    Votes: 24 80.0%
  • Total voters
    30
  • Poll closed .
I get the feeling that the AppleTV is not exactly setting the world on fire - especially outside the US. Here in the UK, only the BBC has produced a catch-up app. Whereas Sky are subsidising the Roku box for £10 (~$12) which features all the UK catch-up services (plus Plex can be side-loaded). A lack of compelling apps is really hurting the system - especially as Apple have staked their TV reputation on apps.

In the background, the studios will be passing 4K transfers to Apple. Vudu have shown that a (cut down) version of Dolby Atmos sound can be streamed (using Dolby Digital Plus I believe) so I expect Apple to follow. It would be good if Apple could also get HDR included. There will not be a 4K apple TV release before:
  • Apple achieves a 'large enough' 4K library from the studios
  • Apple and the studios can agree a pricing strategy - I'm sure Apple would love to roll everything fown a level (i.e. charge SD prices for HD and charge HD prices for UHD and silently drop SD in order to drive custom) but I can't see the studios being too happy about that
  • Apple identify the best launch timeframe - no doubt they are keenly following how quickly 4k streams at Vudu and Netflix/Amazon are taken up
Remeber, Apple is always late to the party on most new standards. At the back of my mind though, is the penny pinching and drift away from customer experience has meant that because Apple had a shed-load of A8 chips and access to a load of cheap HDMI 1.4 interfaces (as everyone else moves to HDMI 2.0b) that is why we got the AppleTV we got last year rather than because it was the best system they could make. As has been widely rumoured the ATV was delayed from 2014 and it shows in the 2014-era specifications.
 
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I still think 2017 is the year iTunes goes 4k and the Apple TV 4th generation gets a mild update to a 5th generation capable of 4k. At this point nearly 100% of tv sets sold in the US over the size of 32 inches are 4K and by holiday 2017 it will be challenging to find a 1080p set for sale. Amazon, Roku and Google have had 4k streaming boxes since 2015 and major services like Netflix and Amazon Prime video stream shows in 4k. I don't think Apple will be more than 2 years late to the party so this is the year.

I do fully expect the 4k version of the Apple TV will be nearly identical to the current 4th generation Apple TV and this be a similar upgrade to how the 2nd generation 720p Apple TV was quietly replaced by the 3rd generation 1080p Apple TV.
 
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Sure: Vudu, Netflix and Amzon are offering 4K streams, but what percentage of streams are actually in 4K? Just because other people offer 4K boxes/sticks and streaming, doesn't mean people are using 4K. I'm sure the numbers are increasing all the time (especially by the end of January with Christmas and the NY sales) but just becaise someone buys a 4K streamer, it doesn't mean they are streaming 4K. I'm sure Apple have an eye on the number of people actually accessing 4K content rather than just owning 4K boxes. Once that number starts to spike, I'm (almost) sure Apple will act. After all, all a 5th gen Apple TV would need hardware-wise is an A9 (or A10) chip and HDMI 2.0b output.
 
Got a new 4k TV recently and would like an Apple TV capable of doing 4k (and HDR). The built in apps on the TV for Netflix, Amazon, BBC Player etc are fine and capable of 4k where offered. Hoping to see an update to it this year, although it looks unlikely
 
Why is everybody so sure apple will not relase a apple tv update this year? Apple needs to update its unit if they want to stay relevant in the tv world. they know this. I recon we will se an apple tv update this spring or fall.
 
MacFinnley said:
The ATV is on my wishlisht for birthday in march. Do you think there will be an ATV5 until then? Should I wait?
Click to expand...

do you have only 1 TV? as in could you buy one now/ask for birthday and then you can still use it until a new version is announced and either move the 4th gen to another TV, sell it, give it to a family member to enjoy.

I was holding out from the announcement last year as i didn't really "need" a new AppleTV (I had a 3rd gen)
hoping a new one would be announced this year and just buy or possibly just wait, my iTunes collection seemed to slow down the ATV.
but then i saw a good deal on one for 1/3 off at Target and bought a 4th Gen.

I can take the old one and either put on another TV, give to a family member,etc.
but now i can use apps, play games, see more stuff on the new 4thGenATV. i am able to enjoy it all now. albeit a year after release so now my new ATV is already a year old in the books and at the same price point. ok, well, i guess being on sale I did better holding out but the idea is if you buy at regular price you are buying something now older, at the same brand-new price. BUT you also get to enjoy the new TVos system sooner than later.
 
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