Apple unveils next-gen Apple TV 4K with Dolby Vision and high frame rates (1 Viewer)

[Martin Dew]

Apple has announced the April 30th arrival of its next generation Apple TV 4K, providing high frame rate HDR with Dolby Vision for better quality content playback. (You can read more at Sam Posten’s April 20th Apple Event thread.) An onboard A12 ‘Bionic’ chip will boost graphics performance, video decoding and audio processing, according to the Cupertino company. Additionally, a newly-designed Siri Remote includes navigation controls and operates with tvOS for integration with other Apple devices.
Available from tomorrow, April 30th, Apple TV 4K will cost $179 and can be purchased from apple.com, the Apple Store app, Apple Store and authorized resellers. Apple TV HD with the new Siri Remote costs $149, and the backward-compatible Siri Remote can be purchased separately for $59...

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Edit to add recommended settings:

Understanding HDR Settings on the AppleTV 4K

It's been four years since the first AppleTV 4K was introduced, and there's still a lot of confusion regarding its video "Format" setting as well as "Match Content". So, here's a quick explanation of how these settings work, since the way Apple has configured it doesn't necessarily make a lot...

www.hometheaterforum.com

 

[JohnRice]

It turns out the calibration feature they mention with this unit is included in the latest OS update, at least on the current 4K model.

 

[Greg.K]

I think I want it just for the new remote. I hope they also fixed the Dolby Vision raised black issue.

 

[Dave Upton]

I'd be happy if HDMI handshake issues were even a little less prevalent in this new generation. Since my projector doesn't support dolby vision, i'll hold off for now, but plan to keep a close eye on the reviews/feedback here.

 

[Scott Merryfield]

There is not enough in this upgrade to get me to buy a new unit. The iPhone feature for calibration is useless for me, as I have an android phone. If they would also support using an iPad, I could at least use that feature. I don't care about the remote, as I use a universal remote.

We just returned from spending the past 5+ weeks at our condo in South Carolina, where I used a Roku Ultra w/ Dolby Vision attached to a new 55-inch Vizio display. I didn't miss my ATV4K at all -- the Apple app on the Roku worked fine. I hadn't used the Apple app with 4K material much here in Michigan since getting the unit, but this trip convinced me it meets my needs. I just ordered a Roku sound bar w/ DV support for our master bedroom here in Michigan, and if that works well I will get another for the place in SC -- I am just using the speakers on the TV for now, and a complete sound system is out of the question for that condo. The list price for the soundbar with Roku OS and DV is the same price as an ATV4K (it's on sale right now for $150, though). Unfortunately, I cannot try out the Dolby Vision support on the display in our bedroom here in Michigan -- it's a Samsung.

Edit: Looks like I was mistaken about the Dolby Vision support for the new Roku soundbar. It only does HDR10 and HDR10+. Not an issue for the Samsung display in our master bedroom, but it is for the condo in South Carolina. I may just get a soundbar for there and use my existing Roku Ultra.

 

[Panavision70]

I have one problem with using the Apple app on a Roku. I purchased the 4K "The Wizard of Oz'' from Apple. On my Apple TV 4K the purchase includes many hours of supplemental features going back to material produced for laserdisc in the early 90s. None of that material is available when watching on the Apple app on my Roku.

 

[DaveF]

I'll be buying two later this year. I'm slowly upgrading to 4K, and I've been waiting on new aTV 4K models.

 

[dpippel]

Not enough here for me to upgrade from my current ATV4K. Not sure the faster chip would even be a noticeable improvement and the higher refresh rates are meaningless to me since I don't game on the box. HDMI 2.1 would be nice to have, but I don't *need* it at this point, and I've never had a problem with the touchpad remote. As John points out, the color calibration functionality is a feature of tvOS 14.5, not the new ATV4K, and I doubt I'll be using it anyway. There's really not much to tempt owners of the previous gen IMO.

 

[dpippel]

Here's a good article comparing the features of the new and old ATV4K:

New Apple TV 4K vs old Apple TV 4K: Specs, features, price - 9to5Mac

This detailed guide covers the new Apple TV 4K vs old Apple TV 4K including hardware, I/O, features, price, alternatives, and more.

9to5mac.com

 

[JohnRice]

Not enough here for me to upgrade from my current ATV4K. Not sure the faster chip would even be a noticeable improvement and the higher refresh rates are meaningless to me since I don't game on the box. HDMI 2.1 would be nice to have, but I don't *need* it at this point, and I've never had a problem with the touchpad remote. As John points out, the color calibration functionality is a feature of tvOS 14.5, not the new ATV4K, and I doubt I'll be using it anyway. There's really not much to tempt owners of the previous gen IMO.

I think they just had to upgrade the hardware, considering the comments all over the place of it being "outdated". I've said over and over, Old chip or not, the current 4K device still functions better than any previous ATV did on the day it was released. Still, I can understand if I was wanting to buy one today, not wanting to spend full $ on a unit that's been out for, what, four years? Like so many others are saying here, if you already have the current 4K model and don't game, there's little reason to upgrade.

 

[Sam Posten]

You can even just upgrade the remote, which is a smart move despite the price for those who hate it. I’ve ordered 2 new boxes and will move my old two to other family TVs and they will keep the old remote

 

[JohnRice]

You can even just upgrade the remote, which is a smart move despite the price for those who hate it.

One of my remotes crapped out, so I might do that, despite the outrageous price.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Not enough here for me to upgrade from my current ATV4K. Not sure the faster chip would even be a noticeable improvement and the higher refresh rates are meaningless to me since I don't game on the box. HDMI 2.1 would be nice to have, but I don't *need* it at this point, and I've never had a problem with the touchpad remote. As John points out, the color calibration functionality is a feature of tvOS 14.5, not the new ATV4K, and I doubt I'll be using it anyway. There's really not much to tempt owners of the previous gen IMO.

My ATV4K units have upgraded to 14.5 today. My iTunes library is all jumbled up instead of the movies being in alphabetical order.

 

[dpippel]

My ATV4K units have upgraded to 14.5 today. My iTunes library is all jumbled up instead of the movies being in alphabetical order.

Well that sucks, Robert. I had no such problem when I updated a few days ago. Everything is as it should be. However, I'd be willing to bet that your iTunes library is substantially larger than mine. Perhaps that's a factor.

 

[Mark-P]

My ATV4K units have upgraded to 14.5 today. My iTunes library is all jumbled up instead of the movies being in alphabetical order.

That should be easily fixable by logging out of your Apple account on the box and then logging back in to force it to reload your library.

 

[Robert Crawford]

That should be easily fixable by logging out of your Apple account on the box and then logging back in to force it to reload your library.

They already reset without me having to do so.

 

[Sam Posten]

My ATV4K units have upgraded to 14.5 today. My iTunes library is all jumbled up instead of the movies being in alphabetical order.

Netflix won’t open on mine

 

[The 1960's]

Here's a good article comparing the features of the new and old ATV4K:

New Apple TV 4K vs old Apple TV 4K: Specs, features, price - 9to5Mac

This detailed guide covers the new Apple TV 4K vs old Apple TV 4K including hardware, I/O, features, price, alternatives, and more.

9to5mac.com

Excellent article! I currently own what I refer to as the AppleTV OK version. I have despised that track pad remote since the day I first used it and I'll buy anything to be rid of it. Plus I'll finally be upgrading to 4K. I mostly use AppleTV as a conduit to play my home video library from my computer to my monitor. Streaming is secondary for me. Lots of really good info here. Thanks to all!

 

[ChrisOC]

I have one problem with using the Apple app on a Roku. I purchased the 4K "The Wizard of Oz'' from Apple. On my Apple TV 4K the purchase includes many hours of supplemental features going back to material produced for laserdisc in the early 90s. None of that material is available when watching on the Apple app on my Roku.

Correct. Apple holds back digital movie extras for their own hardware, as well as iTunes.

However, if you have Movies Anywhere and have linked the two services, you can find extras for a lot of movies from Apple on MA as well. If you have Vudu linked with MA, the extras should appear there, too.

 

[DanH1972]

Not that I really want to buy one of these, but the new version better have whole integer frame rate compatibility and audio bitstreaming this time.