No 4K Video Streaming Support for Upcoming Apple TV Set-Top Box

[grahamwright1]

There is no reason to have 4K support on the current generation Apple TV as most content is not yet available in 4K. By the time mainstream 4K content becomes available, Apple will be prepared.

Wrong way to think about it - Apple could drive the adoption of 4K by the general public by supporting 4K on the new box, and pushing the content providers to provide 4K streams. Just like iTunes, there could be a slightly higher cost per month for the higher resolution content. If they don't include 4K support, even with no content at release, then I'm going to be very disappointed with their lack of leadership. They need to lead rather than follow the competition!

As for TV prices, you can get 4K devices for the same as 1080 sets from last year. Prices are dropping fast, which is all the more reason for Apple to get out in front on this.

 

[james2538]

How about us non-Americans who do have more than necessary bandwidth? I live 2 miles outside of a town of 24000 people, and my choice is 100M or 1G

I'm disappointed in Apple, they used to be forerunners....

Were super jealous - Majority of americans outside Google/Municipal Fiber service areas.

 

[Lancer]

First yay they are finally updating the AppleTV not that the extra content or pay service will work outside the US. Here in Australian we pay the same if not more for the hardware but get hardly any of the content the US customers do. Not that I'd pay for the extra content, already have Foxtel and we now have 3 streaming services to choose from at much lower costs than the proposed Apple service.

Plus out Internet is slower than the average for the US so for the majority 4k is out of the question. Could 4k be enabled on older devices with a firmware upgrade in the future?

 

[Keirasplace]

Wrong way to think about it - Apple could drive the adoption of 4K by the general public by supporting 4K on the new box, and pushing the content providers to provide 4K streams. Just like iTunes, there could be a slightly higher cost per month for the higher resolution content. If they don't include 4K support, even with no content at release, then I'm going to be very disappointed with their lack leadership. The need to lead rather than follow the competition.

The box will support it for sure (the A8 does). But, the content initially will be "only" HD. Content negotiation right now seems to be hellish anyway, getting even the basics seems to be an ordeal.

 

[numlock]

Thing is, is that Apple can't compel people to buy 4K TVs, and upgrade their Internet for reliable 4K streaming.

The removal of a CD drive, floppy drive, Flash support on iOS, on the other hand... they can.

So no. It's not odd.

who is talking about compelling people to do or buy something? its about adopting and embracing new technology and not dragging their feet.

there were external factors at play with cd drives and floppy drives that apple had no control over just as with purchases of 4k tv sets.

 

[Ironduke]

Wrong way to think about it - Apple could drive the adoption of 4K by the general public by supporting 4K on the new box, and pushing the content providers to provide 4K streams. Just like iTunes, there could be a slightly higher cost per month for the higher resolution content. If they don't include 4K support, even with no content at release, then I'm going to be very disappointed with their lack leadership. The need to lead rather than follow the competition.

As for TV prices, you can get 4K devices for are the same as 1080 sets from last year. Prices are dropping fast, which is all the more reason for Apple to get out in front on this.

lol apple never lead with 1080p either.

 

[Peace]

So there's no point in waiting for the next Apple TV - great, that means I can pull the trigger on an Apple TV next week whilst they are still cheap.

Yes there is.

The new Apple TV software. Streaming TV,Apps etc. will require the newest Apple TV.

Apple won't support the 3rd. Gen Apple TV for it's soon to be new Apple TV O/S.

 

[camsoft]

I don't understand the negativity in these posts. I've got a 4K UHD TV by LG and it only cost £650 ($970). I don't think that's expensive at all, 4K is getting cheaper and more people are buying them. I know other people with 4K TVs.

Also I have Netflix 4K and Amazon Instant Video 4K on my TV so I would definitely want this on the next Apple TV. I hate the interface on my TV and would much prefer to use an Apple TV instead of the built-in apps.

4K is clearly the next big thing and it would be very stupid of Apple not to support it especially as they take years to update Apple TV so if they don't add it now it would likely be another decade before they do!

 

[james2538]

You can erase an entire digit. $500 gets you a 49-incher.

I thought I read somewhere though that 4K only makes an appreciable difference in the 60"+ area with normal viewing distances.

Still sitting here with my fingers crossed OLED technology follows suit with similar price drops.

 

[taptic]

What I know about the Apple TV from the rumors:

It will be amazing.

Analysts say it will faceplant.

It will be 3d... with no 3d glasses necessary.

Scratch that. 3d glasses necessary... but they don't make it 3d or anything...

IT'S COMING! IT'S COMING! NEXT MONTH!

It's not coming for another 10 years, but HEY! STEVE JOBS SAID IT WOULD ROCK!

Apple TV won't be 4k.

 

[Peace]

I don't understand the negativity in these posts. I've got a 4K UHD TV by LG and it only cost £650 ($970). I don't think that's expensive at all, 4K is getting cheaper and more people are buying them. I know other people with 4K TVs.

Also I have Netflix 4K and Amazon Instant Video 4K on my TV so I would definitely want this on the next Apple TV. I hate the interface on my TV and would much prefer to use an Apple TV instead of the built-in apps.

4K is clearly the next big thing and it would be very stupid of Apple not to support it especially as they take years to update Apple TV so if they don't add it now it would likely be another decade before they do!

Netflix and Amazon may advertise "4K" but it's not true 4K. Apple want's to use true 4K not some up sampled 1080P.

 

[carmenodie]

But will it support 401 k!

 

[spazzcat]

To get the best out of 4K streaming, you need a 4K tv....which I am not willing to pay $6000+ for a freaking tv

You can get 55" 4k for about $999. I don't see a big deal in the $999 vs $2000 ones...

 

[charlituna]

There is no reason to have 4K support on the current generation Apple TV as most content is not yet available in 4K. By the time mainstream 4K content becomes available, Apple will be prepared.

I think they could release an Apple TV with the hardware for 4k but not activate it until later. Then in a few months or a year when they have content in place an iOS update is all it might need.

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To get the best out of 4K streaming, you need a 4K tv....which I am not willing to pay $6000+ for a freaking tv

I paid $2k for mine. 49 inch, 3d capable.

 

[JoeShades]

If it has the A8 and that supports 4K then i don't see the big deal, all it means is that a software update might be needed in the future and not a new box.

 

[scottct1]

Guess I will need to continue streaming 4K content from Amazon and Netflix. I am kind of disappointed as I thought Apple was a technology company.

 

[WilliamLondon]

How about us non-Americans who do have more than necessary bandwidth? I live 2 miles outside of a town of 24000 people, and my choice is 100M or 1G

I'm disappointed in Apple, they used to be forerunners....

I don't live in the US, I've got "superfast" broadband, but like most non-Americans, I don't live in a huge house with huge rooms in which one can practically put a huge television. Plus, a year ago they estimated that only 15-20% of UK households (where I live) have the necessary speed to stream 4K, and Netflix (at the time) had only a few offerings ("House of Cards and some nature documentaries" which didn't even display on the newest 4K televisions due to lack of proper decoder).

The market outside the US consisting of people who will *only* buy a device based on 4K support is probably as big as it is in the US, which is pretty much zero. If people are buying exclusively based on 4K support, they aren't target Apple customers, so there is no loss to Apple not to support it as this early stage.

Apple isn't a forerunner, not with this sort of technology, it was the same with 1080p, it won't be any different with 4K.

 

[teknishn]

Completely fine with this. 4k is BS right now. Tons of people are still using dvd at 480p, 1080p is now the mainstream. Virtually all content is 1080p or lower. 4k content is just ridiculous in size and completely unnecessary.

The hilarious thing is the current 4k TVs today don't even have the proper HDMI spec for genuine true 4k... not to mention most other equipment out there.

 

[camsoft]

Netflix and Amazon may advertise "4K" but it's not true 4K. Apple want's to use true 4K not some up sampled 1080P.

What's true 4K, is there such a thing. There is no disc format, the only way I can get 4K content onto my TV is via Streaming services. I've got 159Mbit connection so can't see why I would not get full resolution.

House of Cards on Netflix was filmed using Red 5K cameras, so they were recorded at higher than 4K resolution so not upscaled HD content.

My TV supports HEVC codec. I don't see why Apple would not just future proof.

 

[nuckinfutz]

Doesn't make sense when you consider that Apple TV are not on an annual refresh.

Though I am about a year from buying a UHD set

 

[trddddr]

Network negotiations...

Apple is asking Networks to provide their own streams on the rumoured new service.
Level the technical playing field, and keep costs of admission lower to have more participants.

 

[cuhulin]

A true letdown from Apple

It's rather funny seeing everyone jumping to Apple's defense here.

The bottom line is that Apple is behind the curve with this development, not leading the market as it claims to.

I have a 40" 4K tv on my desk - cost $599. I watch Netflix and Amazon content and had postponed my next AppleTV purchase (I have 3 now) when I heard it would have the new box in June.

I know one poster claimed the Amazon and Netflix were not "true 4k" - and I do not claim to know whether they include the entire 4k spec, but they sure are a world better than the 1080p of the same programs. It's too bad Apple could not even keep up with that.

 

[camsoft]

It's rather funny seeing everyone jumping to Apple's defense here.

The bottom line is that Apple is behind the curve with this development, not leading the market as it claims to.

I have a 40" 4K tv on my desk - cost $599. I watch Netflix and Amazon content and had postponed my next AppleTV purchase (I have 3 now) when I heard it would have the new box in June.

I know one poster claimed the Amazon and Netflix were not "true 4k" - and I do not claim to know whether they include the entire 4k spec, but they sure are a world better than the 1080p of the same programs. It's too bad Apple could not even keep up with that.

Could not agree more. If true this is a silly move from Apple. Just relying on HD content is not good enough, my TV will have to upscale it to 4K resolution and I would much prefer native 4K content.

Just because the US has crap Internet does not mean the rest of the world does. Why does everything have to revolve around the US.

4K is here to stay, I doubt many big productions will be filming on anything other than 4K and up cameras so content will continue to more readily available as 4K so it's shortsighted of Apple to ignore this.

 

[unibility]

To get the best out of 4K streaming, you need a 4K tv....which I am not willing to pay $6000+ for a freaking tv

BestBuy during their Black Friday event carried a Samsung 4K 55" for $850 originally $1600. You must be speaking of a very high end 4K with all the bells and whistles. Even some SONY's are abou $1500 - $3000.

 

[JoeShades]

Doesn't make sense when you consider that Apple TV are not on an annual refresh.

Though I am about a year from buying a UHD set

True, They are by law not allowed to change that schedule and has been pointed out if it has the A8 then only a software update would be needed

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BestBuy during their Black Friday event carried a Samsung 4K 55" for $850 originally $1600. You must be speaking of a very high end 4K with all the bells and whistles. Even some SONY's are abou $1500 - $3000.

At a normal viewing distance, you are not going to notice a difference in quality from 1080p to 4K on a 55" set especially with the way 4K will be compressed for a long time