Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
New Apple TV Now Available at Apple Stores With These 10 Changes
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
No, it just shows up as a choosable option in the Video settings if your TV can handle HDR10+. For example, my main TV is a Samsung which is HDR10+ capable. As soon as I connected it and went into Video settings, it was already selected as default: 4K HDR10+. The previous AppleTV gen defaulted to 4K HDR in that setting. If it was not defaulting, I could have chosen it from the list.
Presumably if you also set the Match option in settings to automatically adjust to content settings, it will play HDR10+ when the content you are playing is HDR10+. I don't know that latter part yet but that seems like how it will work based upon how DV HDR content in the past has worked.
Last edited:
Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) - Technical Specifications - Apple Support
The Apple TV 4K (2nd gen) and HomePod mini both only support HomeKit-enabled thread devices. The tech specs for the 3rd gen 4K list matter support (on the 128GB model).
Granted, this might be updated later on and I hope it does. But right now that’s what Apple is claiming it looks like.
Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) - Technical Specifications - Apple Support
support.apple.com
The Apple TV 4K (2nd gen) and HomePod mini both only support HomeKit-enabled thread devices. The tech specs for the 3rd gen 4K list matter support (on the 128GB model).
Granted, this might be updated later on and I hope it does. But right now that’s what Apple is claiming it looks like.
Apple TV 4K 2021 and 2022 are now Thread border routers for Matter
The future of the smart home is almost here
www.flatpanelshd.com
Heck yeah, I can give you a quick one now:
Set it up early afternoon, set up was a breeze, I used the option to set it up from my iPhone. Very very fast, apps downloaded fast, it had tvOS 16.0 and so I updated to 16.1. I have the previous 4K, the one before that, and the HD before that. tvOS install really showed how fast the A15 increase is. It updated very quickly.
Use wise, the OS is snappier, apps launch even quicker, and DirecTV Stream is probably the most resource hungry app that I use. It launches and gets content up noticeably faster.
And honestly that sums it up. I don’t game. I don’t have HDR10+ TV set. So I can’t speak to those.
Lastly, I was shocked at how lightweight the box is. It is smaller in every dimension, not by a ton, but it is super light.
Ben back and forth the last few hours between A12 and A15 models, and it’s definitely faster.
i swapped mine out in the living room earlier today from the previous model. It is smaller and lighterweight but not as thin as the third gen apple tv.
I haven't really noticed much of a difference between the 2022 and the 2021 model. I can't notice any significant difference in the speed of switching/opening apps. The only reason I bought it was because i was using a chromecast google tv in my office and i wanted to switch it out with an atv so i could do airplay as a second screen on my macbook if i wanted to so it was just good timing.
If you've got the 2021 model i wouldn't upgrade unless you need hdr10+ support. I regularly also use the 2017 model and its been holding up just fine as well for normal streaming duties (i really hate that first gen siri remote though).
I haven't really noticed much of a difference between the 2022 and the 2021 model. I can't notice any significant difference in the speed of switching/opening apps. The only reason I bought it was because i was using a chromecast google tv in my office and i wanted to switch it out with an atv so i could do airplay as a second screen on my macbook if i wanted to so it was just good timing.
If you've got the 2021 model i wouldn't upgrade unless you need hdr10+ support. I regularly also use the 2017 model and its been holding up just fine as well for normal streaming duties (i really hate that first gen siri remote though).
Happy to see a lower price tag. Charging cable should have been included in the box.
DirecTV Stream. This is what I use. Their app on smart tv samsung is slow and annoying. I did buy on ebay one of those at&t "android" boxes 1 year ago for $50. Its ok but still slow. Set up and getting it to work properly was time consuming/annoying. You mentioning this app really caught my attention as this will be the app I will be using the most. Glad to read you saying its faster on apple TV. I'm picking up my device today at apple store. As heavily invested that I am on apple ecosystem I cant believe I've never owned or used an apple tv. Reading here/reddit/friends opinions who use it I'm looking forward to it.
That should be fashion is always better than functionality. Remember small equals slower because of heat issues. It does not matter what chips are inside, they all heat more the faster they run.
But Apple devices are smaller not because they want them so, but because they never figured out good thermal design for closed boxes. So Apple just whacks the performance to the point that it looks good, and uses advertising to make it seem like it does not matter.
After using it more last night, the new ATV is super fast. It loaded Disney+ and Hulu all but instantly. Not exaggerating. I logged in, and everything loaded up extremely fast. And, regarding DirecTV stream, it’s very very quick. Doesn’t take but a couple of seconds to open and get the content going. Menu Nav (guide) all populates very quickly. I’m coming from the precious Gen with A12 and the speed is very noticeable.
I have solid internet, not fiber, 450mbps cable, so it’s definitely the chip getting things launched and loaded much faster.
I hope your experience is the same and it serves you well.
They already took the headphones and power adapter out of the box, and now, as soon as they move to USB-C, I think cables will stop being included as well. The reasoning will be that people have the cables and power adapters that they need, and reducing the waste and cost. I think that Macs will be the only products that come with power adapters and charging cables. I think all other products will start shipping without them. Bummer.
Thanks for the reviews, guys. A little off topic if I may. How is DIRECTV stream? Is the sound in 5.1 Dolby? And does it do any 4K broadcasting? I know it’s big brother with the satellite service has a bunch of 4K. But I’m wondering if Stream has any? And last question, does stream get any of the valley regional sports networks?
Thanks guys. Appreciate all the updates and reviews.
Thanks guys. Appreciate all the updates and reviews.
I do. The A15 is welcome. DolbyVision and SpatialAudio in games is wonderful, to start…
It’s good enough for me for sure. But I know it’s not as full featured as DirecTV or Dish Net, but it gets better every year and it’s all digital which is what I love. Any device, anywhere. Take an Apple TV with you on the road and you have live tv and all your services and all your purchases, that’s the driving factor for me having it.
I do not know about audio and video at all honestly. It’s the only app that I just couldn’t tell you. I’m either watching over tv speakers or a pair of HomePod minis. I do not have the audio set up going. Occasionally I listen on my AirPods 3 and that’s pretty darn good in my opinion, but I’m sure nothing compared to great audio equipment. And I don’t know about the sports either.
Sorry I can’t be more help on that.
Granted, I have the older previous model but my 4 all run on WiFi only. If your Wifi is up to par you wont notice any issues. I still use AirPort Extreme ACs around the house, I have 4 of those as well with one being a time machine version. That said, I would go with the one that has ethernet installed. There are a few extras like Matter which will be a thing in the future and with the TV being a homekit hub you might want the feature. If you have several maybe one ethernet and the rest WiFi only.
Ok picked up and set up. Went with the 128GB model. I got AT&T fiber 1GB in my house. This thing is fast. Very fast. Better connection over the AT&T android box. DIRECTV stream much faster. Highly satisfied. Now my biggest regret is not hopping on the Apple TV train years ago. Everything set up via my iPhone. Apps and passwords. Super seamlessly. Love this. This and watch ultra best apple acquisition this year. Wasn’t even considering these devices. Haven’t used Apple Watch since series 1 and love my ultra watch since day 1. Love my MBAM2 too. Enjoying my 14PM as well. Apple got enough of my money this year LoL.
BTW as per speed test app getting 600+ mbps on this thing. Wow. Never those speeds on Samsung alone nor AT&T android box. Holy crap. Imagine via Ethernet.
BTW as per speed test app getting 600+ mbps on this thing. Wow. Never those speeds on Samsung alone nor AT&T android box. Holy crap. Imagine via Ethernet.
Last edited:
Agree with the very fast part. I’m coming from last years model and the jump from A12 in it to A15 in this one is big. Mine is plugged in to Ethernet and it is loading menus as fast as you can blink.
I use DirecTV Stream as well, and I’m more than convinced that Apple TV is the best device by a landslide for it.
Late to the Apple TV party but this stuff is awesome. Everything about it is awesome.
For sure. Best way to do smart TV by a landslide IMO.
I only have it because I still have a 16” Intel MBP, and last year I got the Beats Studio buds. Those came with a small USB-C charge cable and will charge the remote.
That’s the only reason I have a couple.
My kids tablets use usb c. Been using them for years. I was disappointed apple didn’t include a usb c cable. I went ahead and ordered one on Amazon. I plan to only use this to charge the remote. My Volvo SUV prefers usb c as it has more of those over usb. I had to buy long cables for the kids to charge when we go on a trip. At least middle console has usb.
Sorry, but I don’t think some random tech blog is going to be more official than Apple’s own tech specs page.Apple TV 4K 2021 and 2022 are now Thread border routers for Matter
The future of the smart home is almost here
It specifically says (on 2nd gen 4K and HomePod mini’s tech spec pages) that it doesn’t support “non-HomeKit Thread devices”. That verbiage doesn’t exist on the 3rd gen. It’s the only one that mentions Matter.
Just out of curiosity, when would I be benefitting from HDR10+ with this new aTV and my Samsung Q90R TV? Is it when using the Netflix app on the aTV, or possibly when playing offline files through a player like Firecore's Infuse?
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
The sure answer is when the source content is encoded for HDR10+.
However, in my own experiments with it, I'm noticing picture differences when Video settings is switched from 4K HDR (generic) to 4K HDR10+ for regular content NOT encoded for it. So Apple might be doing some kind of faux HDR10+ encoding for non-HDR10+ content or maybe some defaults when that option is chosen apply whether the content is HDR10+ or not. There is clearly a visible difference between non-HDR10+ content when switching between 4K HDR and 4K HDR10+.
However, in my own experiments with it, I'm noticing picture differences when Video settings is switched from 4K HDR (generic) to 4K HDR10+ for regular content NOT encoded for it. So Apple might be doing some kind of faux HDR10+ encoding for non-HDR10+ content or maybe some defaults when that option is chosen apply whether the content is HDR10+ or not. There is clearly a visible difference between non-HDR10+ content when switching between 4K HDR and 4K HDR10+.