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Tim Cook Says New Apple TV Will Ship Next Week, Orders Begin Monday

Rafterman said:
I think it will be a long time before 4K is offered through iTunes. A typical 4K movie will run about 100GB in size (vs. 4GB-8GB in size for 1080p).

Apple will need considerable upgrades to its own infrastructure to support mass streaming and downloading of 100GB files. And internet providers won't be happy about all that extra traffic on their networks. 4K may have to wait until the next generation of home internet, IMO.
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4K h.265 files will be approx. 2x the size of 1080p h.264 (as h.265 is around 2x as efficient) and HFR 4k files around 4x the size of 1080p h.264

So if a 1080p h.264 file (Current iTunes offering) is 8GB
4K version will be about 17GB
4K HFR version will be around 35GB (depending on frame rate)
 
The thing that still bothers me that makes me feel like they're sticking it to me "just because" is they stuck with 100 Ethernet rather than a gig. What? Is 2 cents more too much?
 
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gatortpk said:
I already have two Apple TV 3s, I need a third one for my new 4K TV. It's disappointing that the new Apple TV doesn't support 4K. I imagine the next generation, to be released next year, will support 4K with an old A9 SoC that is already in this iPhone 6s Plus.

I'll still buy it just for the tvOS, App Store, and better interface.
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i agree i wish it had 4k support - but in all honesty there is hardly any content out there that is in 4K - none of the network shows are in 4k - only a few things on netflix.
 
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Jsameds said:
4K h.265 files will be approx. 2x the size of 1080p h.264 (as h.265 is around 2x as efficient) and HFR 4k files around 4x the size of 1080p h.264

So if a 1080p h.264 file (Current iTunes offering) is 8GB
4K version will be about 17GB
4K HFR version will be around 35GB (depending on frame rate)
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You can't go by your iPhone. For movies and other industry releases, the compression rates are much lower, if any compression is used at all. What's the point of 4K if it gets ruined by artifacts?
 
I don't know. Is there a real compelling reason to upgrade to this over my current gen AppleTV? I don't think I'm buying two new boxes when I already have two boxes that work perfectly fine for what it does.
 
Jsameds said:
I agree - I know I've done it many times before and am still guilty of it haha :)

Truth is 4K isn't ready right now, not because of lack of access to content, but because there is virtually no true 4k content out there. Couple of movies and TV shows here and there but the vast majority just isn't. Most stuff is downscaled to 2k in post production so most "4K" stuff you will see over the next couple of years will be upscales.

True 4K content will start to drip through over the coming years, but it won't be worth purchasing 4k equipment until at least 2017 when the majority of content is actually filmed in the resolution.

For now 1080p run through an OLED screen will give you the best PQ for the vast, vast majority of content.
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I usually catch some flak for saying this, but I think the big turning point in every TV standard is when a huge sporting event broadcasts to the masses (meaning, over the air) in a new standard. That is when those masses will go out and buy a new TV set. In the early 2000s, the World Cup and the Super Bowl were broadcast to everyone in HD. Those events really drove HDTV sales. Even if individual people don't watch sports, it's hard to deny the influence professional sports have on this whole industry.

The tipping point will be when the World Cup and the Super Bowl are broadcast OTA in 4k, or whatever the next major standard is. That is when it will be indisputable that the standard is here to stay and not just a passing event.
 
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peterdevries said:
That doesn't really make sense to me. Netflix offers 4K currently in many regions on the planet and as soon as the new House of Cards is released everyone goes wild. The infrastructure is already there, and I'm pretty sure that Apple has planned for this in their expansion of data center capabilities.

I do concede though that Netflix' compression algorithm causes artefacts with moving elements on screen. It certainly needs optimisation but it is and won't be anywhere near 100 Gb in size.
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assume they use high compression, so there files aren't 100GB in size. But if you are getting artifacts due to low compression, you might as well stick with 1080p. But yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, my opinion, man. :D
 
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Not offering 4k is actually a pretty smart move from Apple. I will upgrade to the new box and I suspect many will jump on the bandwagon after waiting for so long.

I predict 12 months from now, maybe less, Apple will offer a 4k Apple TV, what will all us earlier adopters do.... buy the new one of course and shift our older Apple TV's onto the other TV's we have dotted around our homes.

I also have the Amazon Fire TV 4k and after having been in the Apple eco system for years, I'm blown away by it. It really is serious competition for the ATV.
 
oneMadRssn said:
I usually catch some flak for saying this, but I think the big turning point in every TV standard is when a huge sporting event broadcasts to the masses (meaning, over the air) in a new standard. That is when those masses will go out and buy a new TV set. In the early 2000s, the World Cup and the Super Bowl were broadcast to everyone in HD. Those events really drove HDTV sales. Even if individual people don't watch sports, it's hard to deny the influence professional sports have on this whole industry.

The tipping point will be when the World Cup and the Super Bowl are broadcast OTA in 4k, or whatever the next major standard is. That is when it will be indisputable that the standard is here to stay and not just a passing event.
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Nothing wrong with that. Isn't it funny how sports and porn have such control over television technology :p
 
friedmud said:
So you have a 4K TV but you don't have a receiver that accepts HDMI?!? That is just weird. Time to upgrade your receiver!
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Actually, I use dedicated two channel equipment for music and a Sonos Playbar for television.
Dropping the Toslink is a very bad thing for audio guys. We tend to have very good DACs and it is rare that they use HDMI.
 
shk718 said:
i just got an LG 65 OLED - i'm shocked how good the current ATV2 looks on it. that version only has 720P.
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1080p OLED > 4K LED

Been saying this for ages, but as you will know being on tech forums, most people still think "more is better". Sigh.
 
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Right now I am tired of seeing "Your Apple TV is not connected to the Internet" or "Error loading content" or similar errors with my two ATVs. Restarts required at least once a week. I'm definitely jumping onboard with the new ATV if only to get a new OS that might work much better. I'm also looking forward to a remote that might be able to skip ahead/back to avoid commercials and a frame advance feature.

iTunes doesn't even offer 4K content. Barely anything from Netflix available, if at all. Why bother when there is nothing available to stream? What percent of America even have 4K TV right now anyway? The latest stats I could find on the Internet are about 6%. But hopes of 60% by 2020. And how do we know it won't be fixable with a software update? I think Apple made the right move. The only groaners are here on the internet. If it catches on, we'll probably see a new ATV with 4K support by 2017 or 2018. I know people might want 4K support, but it's just not necessary now when 94% of the population doesn't have 4K tv and there's no content to stream.

Regarding 32 vs 64: I always max out storage on an Apple product if possible. Usually the memory is much too hard to upgrade in the future if you run out of space. Or not even possible at all, like the current ATV. And we probably won't see another ATV for at least 2-3 years (unless a "special 4K edition" comes out).

The real game changer here will be the apps. I'm not talking about Angry Birds on Apple TV. But I remember everyone said Apple missed the boat by not including apps in the current ATV. But since developers will have access to the TV APIs, we might see some very interesting incorporation of apps into television shows. Apps didn't take off on FireTV, but those are just standard mobile phone apps anyway. I think we'll see much more than that on the new ATV.
 
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Rafterman said:
You can't go by your iPhone. For movies and other industry releases, the compression rates are much lower, if any compression is used at all. What's the point of 4K if it gets ruined by artifacts?
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I didn't mention iPhone? I explained that h.265 is 2x as efficient as h.264 so you can have a file that looks identical to the other but is half the bitrate and therefore half the size.

As always disc-based formats will be the best way to consume the media, but is anyone really disappointed with Netflix's 1080p despite the low(ish) bitrates?
 
buying the 32gb but will buy it when I can grab it at my nearest apple store. After the UPS headache w/ the keyboard & trackpad (finally being delivered today btw), I much rather buy in store than online.
 
ApfelKuchen said:
Tim - We save resources by eliminating extra connectors from every unit we make - millions of connectors, gold-plated contacts, etc. While the repair depot may swap-out an entire logic board for the sake of a fast turnaround, that logic board will be repaired... When and if we bin a board or component, it goes into recycling, not the landfill.
News - Still, soldered components greatly reduce the possibility of do-it-yourself repairs...
Tim - Our studies show a small minority did their own repairs when these components were socketed, while socketed and conectorized components have a higher failure rate. What price should the masses pay for the sake of the DIYers? I haven't had to carry an iMac to the Genius Bar myself, but I can't imagine it's a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
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Spoken like a true CEO Mr. Cook, very smooth. He almost convinces me it makes more sense.
 
RockSpider said:
I might see what people say about it before I jump into this one. Although I know already what the fanboys are going to say before they even turn it on.
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Even the trolls for that matter, it'll all be the same'ole diatribe as always. I'd say goto the tech sites first and read the actual reviews about the real life pluses and minuses before coming here to read all the emotions.
 
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Bryan Bowler said:
Sorry for you guys and gals that have a 4K TV. I understand your frustration. Of course you want the new Apple TV to support 4K. The unfortunate reality though is that in the United States, less than 1% of household TVs are 4K. (Just for reference, the world-leader in 4K TV adoption is Japan which currently sits at 7.3%.) Now, couple these statistics with the fact that the vast majority of homes are not equipped with the bandwidth or data allowances to support 4K streaming, and it's pretty easy to see why Apple did not include the ability to support 4K in this version.

Don't get me wrong. I know and understand why you early 4K adopters are clamoring for 4K support. It's just that we're not quite there, yet.
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Well, it is coming to Canada. We have a 4K Sports Channel starting in January. It will have NHL and MLB games. Yes, it is small but it is a start. Rogers also has a Netflix style channel starting with 4K content. If Canada can ramp up production that quickly America certainly can begin to as well.

I have Gigabit fibre and it be available by year's end from the other major provider in my city. Gigabit fibre is being announced and rolled out quickly in Canada. Again, phone and cable companies in the US can start this as quickly as it is here.

Fox has announced major studio releases in 4K will be available to purchase as a download. You also get a blu-Ray disc. Great way to use my fibre

So, chips are available to process 4K, content is available with more coming, iPhones have 4K recording and iMovie can produce 4K movies. Apple should be a leader and have installed 4K in this box.

Do I have a 4K TV? No. I am waiting to see what the HDR requirements are for the Sports channel and then I will buy. I will purchase a new receiver once DTS:X is released. I'll buy a new AppleTV when Apple updates the box to support 4K. I just wish it was now.
 
Qbnkelt said:
Yah the watch will be my Christmas present to me. The MacBook Pro will be 2016.

I'm a bit stressed about learning it though. I played with it at the store for a few minutes and I got hopelessly lost. Granted it was only for about five minutes but it was very foreign to me.
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I assume you're talking about the watch... I wouldn't worry too much... seems like there's a small handful of unique navigation things you need to know and you're good to go.

Waiting until 2016 on the Macbook is a good idea... very likely to be updates by then. Never fun to get a new laptop a month or two before a new release. :)
 
Jsameds said:
1080p OLED > 4K LED

Been saying this for ages, but as you will know being on tech forums, most people still think "more is better". Sigh.
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well the lg oled is a 4k set - but the up-scaling on it is AMAZING. and i agree OLED beats led/lcd hands down
 
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