tvOS 14 Brings Apple TV Support for AirPods Audio Sharing and Watching YouTube Videos in 4K

[MacRumors]

tvOS 14, which Apple introduced briefly on stage while previewing HomeKit features, is bringing a few major new feature updates to the Apple TV.

For Apple TV 4K users, with tvOS 14, you'll finally be able to watch YouTube videos in 4K resolution, something that has not been previously possible. The Apple TV has not supported the 4K video codec that YouTube uses, limiting viewing to 1080p.

As noted by The Verge, the Apple TV 4K website highlights new additions to tvOS, with a mention of the 4K YouTube feature.

Apple is also bringing Audio Sharing for AirPods to the Apple TV, which means two sets of AirPods can be connected to an Apple TV 4K at the same time. This will let multiple users watch movies and TV shows without disturbing others in the room.

Other new features include picture in picture support, an option to view HomeKit video feeds, multiuser support for gaming, and the option to use additional controllers like the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and Xbox Adaptive Controller.

Article Link: tvOS 14 Brings Apple TV Support for AirPods Audio Sharing and Watching YouTube Videos in 4K

 

[Wackery]

I wonder who compromised with the 4K, apple or google

 

[macintologist]

Does 4K YouTube playback mean that Apple now supports the VP9 codec?

 

[nutmac]

That's a nice surprise. Some speculated support may require new Apple TV hardware. I wonder if tvOS 14 is adopting VP9 or AV1 or both.

Speaking of which, I hope Apple TV 6 is arriving this fall with tvOS 14.

 

[mikevangorkom]

4K currently not showing up in tvOS 14. Must require an update on YouTube's side first. But this is huge, and easily the biggest news for AppleTV. Let's hope this carries over to iPad and Safari as well.

 

[dan71]

Can wait to try audio sharing with 2 sets of airpod pro (spatial audio).

 

[MysteryMii215]

For Apple TV 4K users, with tvOS 14, you'll finally be able to watch YouTube videos in 4K resolution

Finally! Our long (inter)national nightmare is over!

 

[bernoulli]

That's a nice surprise. Some speculated support may require new Apple TV hardware. I wonder if tvOS 14 is adopting VP9 or AV1 or both.

Speaking of which, I hope Apple TV 6 is arriving this fall with tvOS 14.

What new feature would you want?

 

[mike...]

I wonder who compromised with the 4K, apple or google

It must have been Apple. If Google caved, they would need to re-encode all their 4K videos to something the Apple TV supports.

 

[Bandaman]

I hope 4K YouTube works across all Mac devices ... especially Safari on macOS.

 

[Kylo83]

can you watch YouTube on iOS in 4k now and safari, thats the biggest thing I dont like with safari we cant watch 4k videos, anyone using the beta can you check safari now lets us select 4k

 

[speedlimiter]

Does 4K YouTube playback mean that Apple now supports the VP9 codec?

YouTube has supported 4K in H.264 for years. They just limited viewing for end users.

As there's no hardware acceleration in current generation Apple TVs, my bet is on Apple getting special access.

 

[mikeb13]

Will we also get HDR?

 

[mnsportsgeek]

I wonder who compromised with the 4K, apple or google

Guessing Apple

 

[FaustsHausUK]

Is this limited to Airpods, or will Beats with W1/H1 chips work too?

 

[macintologist]

YouTube has supported 4K in H.264 for years. They just limited viewing for end users.

As there's no hardware acceleration, my bet is on Apple getting special access.

I haven’t ever seen 4K H264 streams in YouTube-DL

 

[joeblough]

well that's welcome - i've had a 4k TV since 2014 and was really missing 4k youtube.

 

[Hermes Monster]

I just want folders in my movie library, is it really too much to ask?

 

[DribbleCastle]

Amazing two features for me! Literally makes the upgrade.

 

[Truckondo]

Finally 4K for YouTube. Hopefully they fix the Dolby Vision issue with the inverted colors on certain TVs from the Apple movie app.

 

[normang]

Now, Will Big Sur Safari actually do 4K too?

 

[EPO75]

Maybe using the new AV1 codec as they working together on this and recent YouTube videos are using that codec.

 

[weekendwarrior123]

It must have been Apple. If Google caved, they would need to re-encode all their 4K videos to something the Apple TV supports.

The text on Apple’s website does specify that this applies to “the latest YouTube videos,” so it could be a change on YouTube’s side.

 

[The Game 161]

So now YouTube works in 4K...wonder if this means they will let us watch YouTube PIP in the app?

 

[itsmilo]

Is the audio sharing also working with the non 4K Apple TV? What ever gen number that is