One of the tvOS 14 features that's meant to be included in the update is support for 4K videos for the first time, but as many MacRumors readers have noticed, 4K video content is not available after updating to the tvOS 14 update released earlier this week.
Selecting a 4K video on a 4K Apple TV upgraded to tvOS 14 limits the video playback to 1080p, which is the same playback quality that was available before.
Apple's Apple TV 4K website continues to say that 4K support for YouTube videos is a feature that's supposed to be included in tvOS 14, but it is missing in the release version of the software.
It's not clear what's going on, but there have been many upset Apple TV owners complaining on Twitter. Some users have said that 4K playback was working as expected with YouTube during some of the betas, but functionality was erratic, so perhaps there are bugs that need to be worked out.
It may be that YouTube needs to push an app update for the feature to work, and YouTube's Twitter support team seems confused. Just yesterday, a TeamYouTube account said that 4K resolution YouTube can't be delivered to the Apple TV 4K because it does not support VP9, so it seems YouTube's own staff is confused by the feature.
Appreciate the details – we can't deliver 4K resolution bc Apple TV 4K model (5th generation) does not support VP9 at this time. But we appreciate your suggestion and we're actively making improvements based on user input. More details in this article: https://t.co/fOEOLtX5X0
— TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) September 16, 2020
Update: YouTube deleted the original tweet from its support staff, and has clarified that Apple TV 4K will support 4K playback "soon."
Sorry about the back and forth -- jumping in to clarify that Apple TV 4K will support 4K playback soon. Stay tuned for an update here.
— TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) September 18, 2020
Another annoyance: full 4K support was available in the YouTube app during the iOS and iPad OS betas, but now it’s limited to HDR videos for no discernible reason. I really have to believe this issue is on YouTube’s end.
[LIST=1] * YouTube uses a non-standard video codec created and owned by Google (yes, it's open, but still narrower support). * Users get upset at Apple because their devices don't support it.
VP9 is a direct competitor to H.265, which AppleTV *does* support!
Yes, Apple should support VP9, but YouTube should also deliver in H.265. The same argument can be made on both counts. So be upset with YouTube for not supporting an established standard!
I'm starting to wonder if it's Google that's blocking Apple from allowing 4K streaming in favor of using Google's products to view it. Very odd this keeps going on.
This is a mess. Apple and Google have been having this spat for YEARS now. I wish they'd work together on this. I get that they're competitors, but it's kind of like politics; most people aren't going to switch sides, we all love our devices and want to keep them so it's best to just work with each other for the common good.
Today we're tracking a new Amazon low price on the 2021 32GB Apple TV 4K, available for $149.99, down from $179.00. This $29 discount is now the lowest price we've ever seen on this model of the Apple TV 4K.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
The Apple TV 4K is...
Today we're tracking the best discount seen to date on the 2021 Apple TV 4K, which provides up to $19 in savings on the 32GB and 64GB models. Starting with the 32GB Apple TV 4K, you can get this model for $169.00, down from $179.00. This beats the previous record low price by $1.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a...
Apple today announced a new version of the Apple TV 4K, simply called the new Apple TV 4K, with the A12 Bionic Chip and an all-new Siri Remote.
The addition of the A12 Bionic Chip provides a significant boost in graphics performance, video decoding, and audio processing. The set-top box now supports high frame rate HDR and Dolby Vision video, enabling fast-moving action at 60 frames per...
Wednesday May 26, 2021 4:47 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
A number of new Apple TV 4K owners are reporting that TV shows and movies in several apps are listed as HD rather than the expected 4K resolution. Apple TV 4K 2021 shown on right (Image credit: sundeepch) Based on comments from MacRumors forum members, Apple Support Communities members, and Reddit users, the issue can be found on native Apple content accessed through the iTunes Movies and TV ...
Adorama today has a collection of deals on select Apple products, including the AirPods Max, Apple TV 4K, and M1 MacBook Pro.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Adorama. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Apple TV 4K
You can get the 32GB Apple TV 4K for $159.00, down from $179.00. This is a new all-time ...
Wednesday January 26, 2022 9:45 am PST by Juli Clover
Apple today released tvOS 15.3, the third major update to the tvOS operating system that first launched in September 2021. tvOS 15.3 comes more than a month after the launch of tvOS 15.2, an update that added support for Photos Memories, Apple Music Voice Plan, and new screen savers.
tvOS 15.3 can be downloaded over the air on the Apple TV through the Settings app by going to System >...
Woot today has Apple's previous generation Apple TV 4K (32GB) in new condition, priced at $99.99 for Amazon Prime members and at $109.99 for everyone else. When this device originally launched in 2017 it was priced at $179.00.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Woot. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
If ...
Numerous deals have hit a few different Apple products this week, including the Apple Pencil 2, Apple TV 4K, and the AirPods. Amazon is the source of many of the discounts listed in this article, but Verizon is matching in a few places.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us...
While past rumors have indicated the upcoming second-generation AirPods Pro will feature a built-in heart rate and body temperature sensor, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has cast doubt on those rumors turning out to be true, saying instead such a feature is unlikely to come anytime soon.
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The M2 MacBook Pro has started making its way into customers' hands and we're learning more about how it performs in a variety of situations, but all eyes are really on the upcoming M2 MacBook Air which has seen a complete redesign and should be arriving in a couple of weeks.
Other top stories this week included a host of product rumors including additional M2 and even M3 Macs, an updated...
Apple is working on an Apple Watch Series 8 model with a larger display, according to DSCC's Ross Young and Haitong International Securities's Jeff Pu.
In October last year, Young suggested that the Apple Watch Series 8 could come in three display sizes. Now, responding to a query about the rumor on Twitter, Young claims that the additional display size joining the Apple Watch lineup will be ...
The upcoming launch of Apple's redesigned MacBook Air with the M2 chip has some Windows laptop manufacturers "worried" that sales of Intel-based laptops will be negatively affected, according to industry sources cited by DigiTimes.
"A Wintel brand vendor pointed out that at a price point of US$1,000-$1,500, the MacBook Air will crowd out other high-end notebooks," the report claims, with...
The upcoming Apple Watch Series 8 will be able to tell a wearer if it believes they have a fever due to a higher than normal body temperature thanks to a new built-in sensor, according to Bloomberg's reliable Mark Gurman.
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The redesigned MacBook Air with the all-new M2 Apple silicon chip will be available for customers starting Friday, July 15, MacRumors has learned from a retail source. The new MacBook Air was announced and previewed during WWDC earlier this month, with Apple stating availability will begin in July. The MacBook Air features a redesigned body that is thinner and lighter than the previous...
European Union lawmakers have approved landmark legislation to heavily regulate Apple, Google, Meta, and other big tech firms.
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA) were proposed by the European Commission in December 2020. Now, collected in a "Digital Services Package," the legislation has been formally adopted by the European Parliament and seeks to address...
Apple on May 16 released iOS 15.5 and iPadOS 15.5, bringing improvements for Podcasts and Apple Cash, the ability to see Wi-Fi signal of HomePods, dozens of security fixes, and more.
Top Rated Comments
* YouTube uses a non-standard video codec created and owned by Google (yes, it's open, but still narrower support).
* Users get upset at Apple because their devices don't support it.
VP9 is a direct competitor to H.265, which AppleTV *does* support!
Yes, Apple should support VP9, but YouTube should also deliver in H.265. The same argument can be made on both counts. So be upset with YouTube for not supporting an established standard!
Is YouTube now in the DD+ era or still sound bar stereo mentality?
I’d pick DD+ over 4K actually.
Yea, I’ve got a ... big screen with 7.2.6 Atmos