Apple Releases tvOS 14.7 for Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K

Apple today released tvOS 14.7, the seventh update to the tvOS 14 operating system that initially debuted in September 2020. tvOS 14.7 comes two months after the launch of the tvOS 14.6 update.

apple tv 4k design green
tvOS 14.7, which is a free update, can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the Apple TV by going to System > Software Update. ‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌ owners who have automatic software updates enabled will be upgraded to tvOS 14.7 automatically.

Apple's tvOS updates are usually minor in scale, focusing on under-the-hood bug fixes, performance updates, and small tweaks rather than major outward-facing changes. No new features were discovered during the tvOS 14.7 beta testing process.

Apple does not provide detailed release notes for its tvOS updates, but it does offer some tvOS details through its tvOS support document.

tvOS 14.7 may be one of the final updates to the tvOS 14 operating system as Apple shifts its attention to tvOS 15, which is set to come out this fall.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Caution)

Top Rated Comments

nutmac Avatar
35 months ago

They need to fix the HDR implementation. It overrides my TV's (LG OLED CX) calibrated picture settings and reverts it back to Standard mode every time HDR content is played. My other devices (PS5, xbox series s) don't do this with HDR content. Seems to be a tvOS problem.

My current workaround is not having HDR on at all. Set to 4K SDR and match dynamic range is off. Which sucks, but at least my picture is accurate.
While I am glad tvOS offers Match Frame Rate and Match Dynamic Range settings, they are full of compromises.

Match Dynamic Range
This feature suggests Apple TV will switch between Dolby Vision, HDR10, and SDR mode.

In reality, this setting relies on the Format setting from Settings | Video and Audio. When you first setup, tvOS guides you to setting the Format with the best mode your TV and HDMI cable support, which would be Dolby Vision, then HDR10, then SDR.

This means that by default, tvOS UI, games, and streaming apps will render everything in this setting, even if those apps only support SDR (which is the majority of the apps). Apps that respect Match Dynamic Range setting indeed switch to SDR as needed, but they are very few in number (e.g., Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, Netflix).

Most videophiles and enthusiasts therefore recommend setting the Format to SDR, but this would mean any apps capable of outputting HDR but does not support Match Dynamic Range setting (e.g., Apple's AirPlay 2, Photos, and Screen Savers, YouTube) will render everything in SDR.

Match Frame Rate
This feature is far less complicated. When you enable it, Apple TV will instruct your TV to switch frame to match the contents, eliminating motion artifacts (e.g., tearing) associated with motion interpolation.

But it is annoying is that while 2021 Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) has HDMI 2.1 port, Apple crippled it without support for HDMI 2.1 features, such as ALLM, QMS, and VRR.

QMS (Quick Media Switching) reduces few seconds of blank screen or no signal screen as the TV switches frame rate. (QMS does not eliminate shorter but observable delay when TV switches the dynamic range.)
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IT Troll Avatar
35 months ago

tvOS 14.7, which is a free update
Glad this one is free. Much better than all those paid updates we have had in the past.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sjsharksfan12 Avatar
35 months ago
Why does it feel like TVOS is an after thought when it comes to the various OSs that Apple has. Everything from the software updates to just plain app updates are pretty insignificant in the long run. I think the Apple TV is my favorite streaming device, but it can be so boring sometimes.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
35 months ago

Now we are getting somewhere!

It seems to me your complaint is NOT exactly with the settings (which was the way you phrased it) it was with crappy apps that don't handle settings properly.
This is a real problem, but it's not solved by complaints that "the setting doesn't work properly".
...
How do we solve this? Reject every app that doesn't handle UI properly? Honestly I am all for this, but apparently the app store enforcing even much less controversial rules is the worst thing ever according to various lawsuits and national governments, so I doubt Apple feel they could get away with this.

But if a problem is with lousy apps, I think you need to point the finger at THOSE app developers. Apple can't fix that problem. If AMZ can do it right, but not some other app, complaint about that app.
Call out names. Give one star reviews.
I am all for Apple rejecting misbehaved apps as per App Store policy. But Apple would have to start rejecting their own apps and features. AirPlay 2, Photos, and Screen Savers do not respect Match Dynamic Range setting.

I've filed Feedback Assistant ticket and emailed various developers, including MLB, NBC Sports, Peacock and YouTube.

My usage overwhelmingly favors using the SDR mode with Match Dynamic Range setting turned on. I rarely encounter HDR10 contents on YouTube and on occasions we use Apple Photos app on Apple TV, I grudgingly enable Dolby Vision. Most streaming apps installed on my Apple TV respect Match Dynamic Range setting.

However, what you are recommending is turn off Match Dynamic Range. This will render all SDR and HDR10 video contents rendered in Dolby Vision mode, which to me, visible alters color saturation, most notably the skin tone.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
poematik13 Avatar
35 months ago
They need to fix the HDR implementation. It overrides my TV's (LG OLED CX) calibrated picture settings and reverts it back to Standard mode every time HDR content is played. My other devices (PS5, xbox series s) don't do this with HDR content. Seems to be a tvOS problem.

My current workaround is not having HDR on at all. Set to 4K SDR and match dynamic range is off. Which sucks, but at least my picture is accurate.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jackietreeh0rn Avatar
35 months ago
*Yawn*
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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