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.
In addition to a new Siri Remote and a faster A12 processor, the refreshed Apple TV 4K that Apple announced today has a number of other notable hardware improvements.
The new Apple TV 4K is equipped with an HDMI 2.1 port instead of an HDMI 2.0a port, and it offers support for 4K 60 fps HDR video output. Code recently found in tvOS 14.5 suggested the new Apple TV could support 4K 120Hz...
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.
...
In recent days, some Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD users have been receiving a "something went wrong" error message when attempting to load videos using the YouTube app on tvOS. The issue does not appear to be widespread, and it seems to arise only when a user is signed into their YouTube account on the Apple TV.
YouTube has confirmed on Twitter that it is investigating the issue and working...
Wednesday May 19, 2021 12:34 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
The new Apple TV 4K will begin arriving to customers this Friday, May 21, and ahead of time, orders are now beginning to be marked as "shipped" on Apple's online store. Track your order with others in the MacRumors forums.
As of Wednesday afternoon, most of the Apple TV 4K orders that have been marked as "shipped" appear to be in Canada, but orders in other countries should start shipping...
Friday October 2, 2020 11:07 am PDT by Juli Clover
One of the new tvOS 14 features highlighted by Apple was support for watching 4K videos in the YouTube app, but when tvOS 14 launched, Apple TV 4K users quickly noticed that support wasn't available.
That appears to be changing, as there are reports on Reddit (via FlatpanelsHD) that support for 4K YouTube videos is starting to roll out. Multiple users have reported seeing 4K playback options ...
In addition to reviews lifting for the new Apple TV 4K, Apple marketing executive Tim Twerdahl spoke with CNN Underscored's Jacob Krol about the latest generation of the streaming box, which launches this Friday.
Priced at $179 with 32GB of storage or $199 with 64GB of storage, Twerdahl said the new Apple 4K offers "tremendous" value.
"We think there's a tremendous amount of value in this ...
Enabled by the new and more powerful Apple TV 4K, YouTube has enabled 4K video playback at 60 frames per second for its Apple TV app, rather than the previously capped 30 frames per second. YouTube rolled out 4K support for its Apple TV app in October; however, to much disappointment to users, playback was limited to only 30 frames per second. Thanks to the new powerful A12 Bionic...
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 ...
Apple is getting ready to send out second-generation Apple TV 4K devices to those who preordered on April 30, with orders now shifting to "Preparing to Ship."
Apple began charging credit and debit cards earlier today, and orders should start shipping out soon. The earliest Apple TV 4K preorders have estimated delivery dates between Friday, May 21 and Thursday, May 27.
The...
Thursday April 29, 2021 2:15 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Serial leaker Jon Prosser has today claimed the new Apple TV 4K will launch on May 21, the same day that the new redesigned 24-inch iMac and new iPad Pro models are now expected to become available, based on retailer listings.
Prosser's claim came in a tweet updating his earlier predictions for the launch dates of Apple's new iPad Pro, shortly after MacRumors broke the news about UK retailer ...
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