Upcoming Apple TV Could Support 120Hz Refresh Rate According to tvOS 14.5 Beta Code

[MacRumors]

Apple is working on a new version of the Apple TV that's set to be released at some point in 2021, and the new set-top box that's coming could feature support 4K 120Hz video output.

Evidence of 120Hz support was found in the tvOS 14.5 beta code by 9to5Mac, with the code listing multiple instances of "120Hz and "supports120Hz." The code was found in PineBoard, Apple's name for the Apple TV interface.

The references to 120Hz refresh rate support suggest that Apple is testing this feature for the next-generation Apple TV, and it suggests that the new set-top box will use HDMI 2.1. HDMI 2.0, used for the current fifth-generation Apple TV 4K, is limited to 4K resolution at 60Hz. HDMI 2.1, however, is able to support streaming 4K content at 120Hz.

As with the 120Hz refresh rate on the iPad Pro models, a 120Hz refresh rate mode on Apple TV would allow for smoother performance on 120Hz television sets and would be ideal for gaming where there's a lot of quick action as you might find in shooting games.

There are 120Hz TVs on the market, which people generally buy for gaming purposes and use with the latest Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 consoles, both of which support the HDMI 2.1 specification and can output 4K video at 120Hz.

We don't yet know when the next-generation Apple TV will launch, but rumors have suggested it will feature a faster processor and a redesigned remote. Some rumors also suggest that Apple is planning for an Apple TV that would offer a console-like gaming experience, and 4K 120Hz support would allow the Apple TV to better compete with the latest flagship gaming consoles.

Article Link: Upcoming Apple TV Could Support 120Hz Refresh Rate According to tvOS 14.5 Beta Code

 

[CouldBeWorse]

This would make sense for Apple Arcade.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

This will be a game changer.

 

[jz0309]

ATV needs to get cheaper if it wants to compete in the market... or will it be another niche product like AirPods Max?

 

[ButteryScrollin]

Flappy bird in 120hz.

 

[kalafalas]

ATV needs to get cheaper if it wants to compete in the market... or will it be another niche product like AirPods Max?

I bet there will be a niche gaming model with 120hz/beef–processor accompanied by a smaller/cheaper streaming focused model, both with a new remote

 

[sublunar]

This suggests A12X/Z or A14X/Z because Apple don't use pro-motion on iPhones or the iPad Air 4 (A14). The current iPad Pro 12.9" has resolution of 2048x2732 pixels so 3840x2160 on a 4k TV sounds like something that a more powerful GPU would be needed for.

It makes you wonder if the iPad Pro comes with an A14z from the start a cheaper AppleTV 6 could then have a slightly weaker GPU (eg A14x) that's not good enough to go into the higher value iPad Pro.

 

[jz0309]

I bet there will be a niche gaming model with 120hz/beef–processor accompanied by a smaller/cheaper streaming focused model, both with a new remote

That would make sense, but, Apple is foraying into a lot of markets right now (TV+, fitness, rumored AR/VR...) so I am not sure about this...

 

[Truckondo]

For apps and some YouTube content, that is cool. For Movies and TV, no thanks.

 

[The Barron]

Will we see this new Apple TV box by summer?

 

[DocMultimedia]

Rumors. Apple is just "playing" with this TV thing. /s

 

[GeoStructural]

For apps and some YouTube content, that is cool. For Movies and TV, no thanks.

Exactly! From a 144 Hz monitor here, watching a movie while working, it can give me a headache. I understand the appeal for gaming but everything else I feel like 120 Hz is just overplayed as the next consumer thing.

 

[wood1208]

Cheaper streaming devices from Roku and most sold smart TVs today support airplay2 and AppleTV+ App; It's time for Apple build it's own cheaper single SOC based HDMI plug-in streaming device and let the current AppleTV box to go unless Apple has plan for M1 based massive multi-core CPU/GPU console that completes well against XBOX X and PS5.

 

[loybond]

There are 120Hz TVs on the market, which people generally buy for gaming purposes and use with the latest Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 consoles, both of which support the HDMI 2.1 specification and can output 4K video at 120Hz.

That's not the only reason. 60 Hz tvs don't do a great job with 24 Hz, you get judder because 60/24 = not a clean number. 120 Hz tvs allow for 24 Hz content to play smoothly. Before anyone thinks that means soap opera effect, no, that's frame interpolation which is a different thing that pretty much no one likes.

 

[apparatchik]

This would make sense for Apple Arcade.

The potential for gaming for an A14X Apple TV -about on par with the PS4 Pro in GPU performance- is big, as long as Apple does an Apple Arcade+ or outright Apple TV+ type war chest to bring in triple A studios on-board.

Now that the whole ecosystem of a billion active devices shares a common hardware platform (iPhone/iPad/AppleTV/Mac) it would be just natural to go for it.

 

[b11051973]

I have been hoping for this. I have my Apple TV set to match frame rate, to avoid the 3:2 pulldown on 24fps movies and such. This means when playing something like a movie, the Apple TV has to switch between 60fps and 24fps. So, the screen goes black for a couple seconds. Not a very smooth transition. If the ATV can output 120fps, that is divisible by 24. No black screen switching and no 3:2 pulldown. I already have a TV that will support it. Please Apple do this.

 

[jz0309]

It’s not aiming to be a cheap price of crap to infiltrate on your life and make a profit out of revoking your privacy, and also letting you stream basic video. If you want that those products are cheaply made and already available for you from Google, Amazon, and others.

So who is this rumored device for then??

 

[cgsnipinva]

ATV needs to get cheaper if it wants to compete in the market... or will it be another niche product like AirPods Max?

The Apple TV - for what it offers with Apps is a better value than a Roku or Google box.

 

[Paul Cordingley]

That's not the only reason. 60 Hz tvs don't do a great job with 24 Hz, you get judder because 60/24 = not a clean number. 120 Hz tvs allow for 24 Hz content to play smoothly. Before anyone thinks that means soap opera effect, no, that's frame interpolation which is a different thing that pretty much no one likes.

I think it's fair to say that any TV which supports 120Hz also natively supports 24Hz anyway.

 

[jairopena]

HDMI 2.1 would be huge if they implement QMS. Hopefully no more blank screens when changing frame rates.

 

[UltimateSyn]

Please Apple; Give ProMotion (120 Hz) to everything. It should be standard across every product line with a screen, just like Retina.

 

[easy4lif]

How do u tell if ur hdmi is 2.1 or 2.0? Even the specs on my tv don’t tell me that

 

[nutmac]

iOS betas have been a treasure trove of upcoming Apple TV.

A couple of years ago, it referenced A12 or faster processor. Last year, it referenced a new remote control. On this beta, the Siri Remote has been renamed to Apple TV Remote and it is now strongly hinting HDMI 2.1.

The only thing missing? New Apple TV hardware itself. Apple is just trolling us.

 

[Chiromac81]

Yes,

but will they fix the raised blacks issue???

 

[jz0309]

The Apple TV - for what it offers with Apps is a better value than a Roku or Google box.

Yea, that why it falls in the “other” category in the sales statistics...
Btw, I own 2 4K units...