Apple tv 4k games. Streaming: who is suitable for Russia? How Android TV beats Cupertino developers
The world of Smart TV is divided into 3 categories: WEB OS (already built into TVs), Android TV and Apple TV. When choosing a set-top box for a TV, many people have a question: Android TV or Apple TV. In the first case, everything is clear in principle: classic Android, optimized for use with TVs. Movies, apps, open access on the Internet - a classic. But many people don’t have many arguments for Apple TV, especially for Apple TV 4K. Therefore, in this article we will tell you what Apple TV 4K is, what it is needed for and how to connect it to your TV.
Apple TV 4K is the 5th generation of TV set-top boxes from Apple. This set-top box connects to the TV via HDMI and allows you to access Internet services: a library of applications and films.
Apple TV 4K unlocks 4K HDR technology and adds Dolby Atmos surround sound. The main thing is that your equipment (TV or TV + soundbar) supports these technologies. Dolby Atmos creates a true-to-life sound experience that completely immerses you in the action of the film. HDR (High Dynamic Range) is responsible for a realistic image.
The set-top box comes with a convenient remote control made in a minimalist design. The remote control has a special touch panel. With its help, you can interact with the interface: manage selections, enter text. You can also use your iPhone for control. When you configure the set-top box using a smartphone in the panel iPhone control The Apple TV app appears. Through AirPlay you can quickly transfer any content from iOS devices to the TV. Also, if you have a system " Smart House", it can be controlled using a TV (Although it is more convenient to use an iPhone for this task).
What is Apple TV 4K for?
Apple TV 4K adds to regular TV Smart functions TV. However, you can purchase a set-top box even if you already have a built-in smart TV, but for some reason you are not satisfied with it.
Typically, Smart TV is purchased to gain access to services such as Amediateka, ivi, MEGOGO, Netflix. Users pay a monthly subscription and watch TV series, films or cartoons in high quality. You can also purchase movies from the iTunes Store, but the prices there are not the lowest. In addition to movies, Apple TV 4K provides access to a huge number of applications: from fitness, sports to dynamic games. Installed in the set-top box powerful processor A10X Fusion, which ensures smooth operation of any supported content.
WITH using Apple TV 4K you can display any media content from your iCloud library: photos, videos or music. This makes it convenient to display vacation photos or give presentations.
How to connect Apple TV to your TV
To connect the set-top box you will need Wifi (or an Ethernet cable) and HDMI cable(preferably version 2.0 or higher). The cable is not included, so be sure to purchase it separately.
Connect the device to a power outlet and to the TV. On the remote, press the touchpad to pair it with the TV. Please specify your language.
Select setting: from using iOS device or manually. The first method is the most convenient for everyone who has an iPhone or iPad. The set-top box itself will download all the data from iCloud and perform quick setup. In the second case, just follow the instructions on the screen.
More detailed instructions You can read about installing and configuring Apple TV at.
Do you need Apple TV 4K
The downside of the console is its limitations. The situation is similar to iOS: you have specific functionality that constrains you. On Apple TV 4K, you get access to a huge library of movies and apps, plus an iCloud library. This is where its functionality practically ends. In the same time advantage of Android TV is at least a browser. With a browser, you get access to all content: paid, free, licensed or pirated.
Even if you don’t have a 4K TV, but a Full HD one, you can buy a set-top box, it will work and be fun. Another question is the price: give 15,000 and not use it main function 4K... Here everyone decides for themselves. In principle, if you are planning to buy a 4K TV in the near future, then it is better to immediately buy Apple TV 4K.
Conclusion: Apple TV is for those who are willing to pay for content. If you are ready to buy movies and do not experience financial difficulties with it, take Apple TV. If you're not ready, grab Android TV.
Apple TV Specifications
In conclusion, we provide a table comparing the main characteristics Apple consoles TV 4th generation, which is still available for sale, and Apple TV 4K.
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) is a thankless task. And unexpected. What can a set-top box for video broadcasting games from a computer or remote server have in common with a home multimedia processor?
Fact: Shield TV handles any content much better better than Apple TV, but it costs less.
How Android TV beats Cupertino developers?
If you look at the features of each console, you first need to deal with shell software each. Branded TVOS better than android TV only at first glance.
She is incredibly comfortable, beautiful, with intuitive interface. But the ideology of the developers from Cupertino is simple and eternal: “We know better. The user has enough for everything.” Therefore, you can only buy content, and many Russian services not available on the platform.
In contrast, we have full integration into the Apple ecosystem in just a couple of clicks. Enter the password - watch and listen to what you want and where you want. Most importantly, don't forget to pay. It doesn’t matter that in Russia Siri, Apple-recommended Amazon libraries, and Netflix are mostly in English, don’t work on tvOS. OKKO and Tvigle will not be there yet. 
Nvidia Shield runs on Android control TV 7.1 based on the corresponding mobile system. What does it mean? Everything is available! If you don’t like this or that online cinema, look elsewhere. If you want, it's paid, if you want, it's free.
What about Apple devices? Shield TV in a couple of moves turns into a universal (!) home service that works with all devices in the house, regardless of their platform. How so?
It's simple - Android TV has a function home server. In addition, you can install well-known software media servers with many capabilities on the Shield: KODI and PLEX. After installation, the user can connect both a desktop on Windows and a smartphone on Ubuntu to the console. Moreover, it will be possible to take and send content from them - like on a flash drive, only in convenient form. Only a little more complicated than the ecosystem of OS X and iOS.
In count Android software TV is ahead of any other peer platforms. If desired, the console with it can be turned into a desktop PC and decide office tasks. There would be it, this desire.
Multimedia capabilities. How did Nvidia overtake Apple?
However, the holiwar between systems is eternal. Let's try to compare 2 similar devices more objectively.
The new version of the set-top box for fans of Apple products turned out to be very good, as expected: support for new formats, cool image recoding, major changes to the operating system.
But she will not become a leader. Because there is a universal Nvidia Shield TV. This game (streaming) console with the ability to play video or audio turned out to be cooler.
VIDEO: Is Shield TV healthier than Apple?
The most important thing for a multimedia player is the video playback function. With this, the Apple TV 4K is doing great. It can reproduce 4K HDR. More colors, more contrasts - now an image will appear in place of blackness! If, of course, a) the video was recorded in this format, b) its parameters correspond to the parameters of the video sequence.
In addition, the Apple set-top box can scale video resolution to the resolution of the TV. And he does it well - but forcibly. But the process does not work in the opposite direction.
Bought a cheap TV last year? Forget about Apple capabilities TV 4K.
Shield TV handles all popular video file formats. Unlike the competitor. Essentially, Apple TV 4K is designed to work only with iTunes and partner services. Therefore, it only works with 3GP, MP4, MOV.
The picture is the same with the playback of containers (the file extension today does not indicate the format of its encoding). The Nvidia set-top box reproduces everything, including 4KHDR10, except for the rather rare Dolbi Vision standard (which only works with LG and TCL). Without Apple's resolution and bitrate limitations.
The “Apple” version fundamentally does not support not only the outdated but popular DivX, WMV9, VC1, MJPEG, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, but also the completely modern VP8, VP9(codec for modern YouTube video streaming). In addition, supported formats have a bitrate limitation.
Fact: If you want to watch YouTube in 4K, Shield TV is your choice.
AUDIO: Stereo vs Multichannel
Playing music files is even more ambiguous. Nvidia Shield TV does not support any of the following popular formats multichannel audio.
But it has a “pass-throught” mode - end-to-end transmission of an audio stream to another device. It could be a TV, a receiver, or a simple music Center. If the end device supports Dolby Atmos, TrueHD, DTS-X, DTS-HD, everything will work.
With Apple TV 4K you don't need such hassles. It just doesn't work with the above standards. Only stereo, only hardcore.
“...The user does not need more than 50 MB!”
PERIPHERAL: Ecosystem vs. Hoarders
The next point of our comparison will be a problem completely unfamiliar to users of conventional multimedia systems: working with peripherals. Since Rocu and the endless Chinese boxes on Android take content wherever the user tells them to, the problem with this seems to be solved.
But Apple TV 4K doesn’t even work with flash drives! If you want to see photos from your camera, throw them into the cloud. Need to scroll through holiday videos from elderly relatives? Turn on your computer, put it in the cloud. An external hard drive or a more complex device, and even on an incompatible system, is an impossible task for this media box. Of course, there are no external ports, where should I turn them on?
Shield does a great job with it. There are 2 USB 3.0 connectors on board. Based on work experience - enough. One can always be turned into a hub. Connect an external keyboard or mouse, or any type of storage device. Right down to the CD drive.
STREAMING: who is suitable for Russia?
Search services are actively crowding out other types of content distribution. That's why Apple abandoned hardware support for flash drives or hard drives. True, for Russia this is a somewhat ambiguous step.
Most popular Russian online cinemas do not work on Apple TV 4k. YouTube – only with resolution below 4K. A 360 degree streaming video The prefix does not process at all. The lack of support for modern codecs will prevent the video from being stolen from somewhere else. Well not for uh that Apple created – and for its own and partner services. 
Android TV has no such restrictions. Therefore, Shield TV doesn’t care where you play the video from – be it from the application or from their browser. Tegra can handle any video stream. And if suddenly... Then you can install a third-party player and a set of software decoders. Checkmate, Cupertino!
True, the Shield doesn't support AirPlay. And Apple TV - traditional screencasting for Android Miracast technology. And, accordingly, both of them do not work with ChromeCast. But if this is solved for an Nvidia console external devices via a USB interface, the “apple” will remain only for its own forever.
CONTROLLERS: The choice is up to the user
Of course, Apple is always ahead of the curve. They have everything that is most convenient, thoughtful, and of high quality. That's why the Apple TV 4K remote has become a brilliant example of minimalism, convenience and thoughtful engineering solutions.
Basic functions have their own keys. Backlight - for convenient control. Everything ingenious is as simple as this remote control.
Nvidia's controller is much simpler. The remote control is convenient, but not exciting. It makes sense, since the Shield TV's main controller is an incredibly convenient gamepad. Which you can opt out of by purchasing the cheap Shield Remote only option.
Here Apple would win... But the difference in price makes all the difference.
How about playing?
Let's be honest. 50 percent of our readers would not mind playing on TV. Of these, half have a game console - Xbox or Play Station. There is no other way with Apple TV, I agree. What can you run on it? Five branded games? It won't be enough. 
The Nvidia combine is another matter. Video for him is simple nice addition to huge gaming capabilities. Shield supports 3 types of games at once:
- games for Android - any, directly from Google Play;
- a number of games specially ported for the console - among them Half-Life, Doom 3: BFG Edition, Knights of the Old Republic, Resident Evil 5 and even Metal Gear Solid 3;
- ANY PC games - s home computer, and more than 100 games from the collection branded service GeForce Now, specially optimized for streaming.
If with the first everything is completely clear (a lot, but not very interesting), the second and third need to be discussed again.
Ported for Shield games- legends. There are already more than 50 of them, and most are loved by everyone, young and old. Refuse to go through the path of the Jedi or Gordon again on big screen? Personally, I won't refuse. And you too.
With computer hits everything is even more interesting. You can stream any game via Wi-Fi to Shield TV as long as you have an Nvidia graphics card installed in your PC. However, there is a limitation - the game is processed on a computer, the console only participates in processing the broadcast video stream. Therefore, you may need a serious system engineer for a good amount.
What's the winnings? There is no need to drag wires, and the computer itself can hum in the closet or on the balcony. Not satisfied? GeForce Now is just for the budget conscious. 
The company's proprietary service allows you to play computer games on a remote server, displaying the picture on your home TV using Shield. No download - just needed stable internet, payment for a monthly GeForce Now subscription and the purchased game. Taking into account the fact that the games there are cheaper than on Steam, the profit is obvious!
Fact: Shield for 13 (without controller) or 18 thousand (full set) with a GeForce Now subscription replaces a gaming computer for 50 thousand.
By the way, you can play with any third-party manipulators. However, the original Shield gamepad is incredibly cool, convenient and functional. Separately, a good controller from a third-party brand will be more expensive, and at least a little, but worse.
User convenience versus your own ambitions: instead of conclusions
Nvidia Shield TV easily beats Apple TV in every possible comparison category. Unexpected result in comparison game console and a dedicated multimedia home center.
Apple talks about 4K and HDR as if it invented them literally today, and it's quite funny: by the time of release previous version Apple TV in 2015, 4K technology was already common, but the company decided to ignore it.
But don’t dwell on the past and lose sight of the whole picture. Apple Support 4K and HDR formats are great news and a testament to their popularity. Moreover, in Apple kit TV 4K includes a library of films in 4K HDR.
From a distance, Apple TV 4K is no different from the previous one Apple versions TV, but turn the case over and you will see small slots that were not there before. They provide air cooling for the more powerful A10X chip. It gets quite hot during operation, but it is quiet even while gaming or streaming content in 4K.
The case has a hole to dissipate heat from the A10X Fusion chip. The model has a fairly large cooling cooler, but its noise is not noticeable even when running “heavy” games
The standard model costs RUB 13,490. only 32 GB of memory; the version for 14,990 rubles that we are testing has 64 GB. The numbers are not very impressive, besides the support external drives not provided; on the other hand, since Apple TV 4K streams movies, TV shows, and music without downloading, the only storage space required is for apps. They're small (Netflix, for example, is only 41.6 MB), so 32 GB will be enough for most users.
Apple TV 4K comes with 32GB or 64GB of built-in storage
The ease of use of the media player is not inferior to others Apple models. If you have an iPhone or other iOS device, you can read information about account And Wi-Fi settings. Having determined whether your TV supports 4K resolution, the player adjusts the output signal.
Apple TV 4K also checks for HDR support, and if available, all content will stream to your TV in 4K HDR, even if it was originally low resolution or standard dynamic range.
The menu system is convenient, well thought out and clear, as you would expect. A big plus of Apple TV 4K compared to competitors from Samsung and LG is the presence of voice control, which is quite useful at times. Press the microphone button on the remote control, say “Show me action movies,” and you will be taken to your iTunes library. Siri is now well versed in context: then say “Only in 4K,” and the list of action movies will be sharply reduced.
Apple TV 4K works great, but its main selling point is its library of 4K HDR movies
Content Provider
Siri not only performs an excellent search, but can also help the owner during the browsing process. Missed the point of fuzzy dialogue? Ask "What did he say?" - and this fragment will be repeated with subtitles turned on so that you understand everything exactly. To the question “What is the name of this actor?” you will receive a list of performers in the episode you are currently watching. All this is very convenient.
The Apple TV 4K interface is as user-friendly as you'd expect
However, the interface is not perfect in every way. Search results (voice or text) do not include items from iPlayer and Now TV, which reduces its usefulness somewhat, and the touchpad on the remote control is rather finicky.
In the US, unlike in Britain, Apple TV supports useful application under the strange name "TV". It brings together the content of all applications installed and available through a subscription, and allows you to return to the last viewed material.
It also generates recommendations for later viewing based on your list of favorite movies and recent activities. The idea is good, but it is spoiled by the lack of full integration with Netflix. Hopefully this service and the UK versions of iPlayer and Now TV will be supported at a later date.
It's worth noting that Amazon has yet to release a version of Prime Video for the tvOS platform. It should be released before the end of the year and will be fully integrated with the Apple TV app. ITV Player, All 4 and My5 are also missing, but some on-air content can be obtained from providers using the TV Player app.
It would be nice to have one device that organizes all the available content; However, it makes no sense for it to duplicate the applications that your TV is already equipped with - it is much more convenient if the media player can offer content that is difficult to find in other ways, and this is exactly what the Apple TV 4K can do.
Its main advantage is its library of 4K HDR films. It now includes about 70 films, including such recent blockbusters as “Wonder Woman,” “Alien: Covenant” and “Logan,” released only on 4K Blu-ray discs. The pay-as-you-go model is quite convenient, especially considering that you don’t have to pay for “extra” pixels. And if you already bought the movie on iTunes and then the 4K version became available in the store, you will automatically receive it at no additional cost. All this will please those who need a lot of affordable 4K content.
However, not all 4K content is created equal, and streaming with Apple TV 4K is not equivalent to a similar UHD disc in terms of image quality. In the movie “Deadpool” on the 4K Blu-ray disc, the anti-hero’s red suit is drawn more clearly and in detail. The dark parts of the picture turn out to be more energetic and detailed. These are all inevitable consequences of streaming. But the choice of this approach is obvious - otherwise the player would have to first download uncompressed 4K movies to the hard drive.
However, 4K movies themselves look very good from iTunes. They are noticeably superior to Full HD streams in clarity and resolution, density and depth.
Detail is significantly higher, and the textures of clothing, including the fur and skin of Wonder Woman's gear, look more natural and expressive.
HDR adds even more impact to the image; it literally comes off the screen. White color- clean and bright, color palette- lively and colorful, black objects - deep and dense. The picture becomes even more exciting.
We've only talked about HDR10 content before, but Apple TV 4K offers several movies in Dolby Vision, an advanced version of HDR that processes every single frame and has even more potential.
By full program
If you haven't seen 4K HDR content from Netflix yet, you're in for a shock. If it happened, the quality will approximately correspond to the TV picture. It's interesting to look at films or programs that were not originally created in 4K or HDR, and evaluate the quality of upscaling and upscaling according to general settings Apple TV.
The result is not bad, although sometimes the picture turns out to be unnaturally sharp and bright. The problem could have been avoided if the Apple TV 4K had not changed the output format, but the company decided against this so that the TV does not have to constantly switch modes.
Apple's support for Dolby Vision along with HDR10 is very encouraging, but in this light the absence of Dolby Atmos looks even more strange. Why not include everything in full? Even Dolby True HD and DTS Master Audio were not included in the list of features. In addition, Apple TV 4K performs decoding exclusively on its own, sending only the PCM or Dolby Digital 5.1, depending on settings.
Maybe, Apple company considers image quality to be more important than sound - and in some ways she is right: Atmos systems are not yet widespread. However, Apple TV 4K delights with clear and weighty sound. When connected to a good system, the surround sound field is detailed and atmospheric, but support for the Dolby Digital Plus bitstream would have been nice.
Apple TV 4K is not as simple as it seems. On the one hand, it boasts one of the most comprehensive and accessible library of 4K HDR films. On the other hand, it does not have some popular applications.
It supports the most advanced HDR video format, but ignores modern audio formats. It's too expensive for a network player, but cheap for a 4K Blu-ray player. It is difficult to categorize him.
The library of 4K content alone would be enough for the four - however, the fifth star is currently unattainable for him. If the company builds support for Amazon and time-lapse services into the app, we might change our minds; but so far it's perfect new Apple falls short.
WHAT SHOULD YOU WATCH IN 4K HDR?
Blade Runner (Director's Cut 4K) / iTunes, 4K HDR
The new version of Blade Runner is very good, but the 4K special edition of the first film is no less spectacular. It's already available on iTunes.
Deadpool / iTunes, 4K HDR
One of best films Marvel for last years included in the first iTunes package. It's a shame that the Atmos audio included on the Blu-ray disc isn't supported on the Apple TV 4K.
Daredevil / Netflix, 4K HDR, Dolby Vision
The script is interesting, the characters are convincing, the picture is gorgeous. In 4K HDR, the dark and moody palette and bloody fight sequences make it impossible to look away for a moment.
Jessica Jones / Netflix, 4K HDR, Dolby Vision
Netflix's Daredevil spin-off combines bar brawls, mind control, relationships and violence just as effectively. The 4K picture is great.
Pros:
+ large library of content in 4K HDR;
+ image quality.
Minuses:
- no Amazon Prime Video;
- lack of audio formats.
Verdict
A great way to get your hands on new content in 4K HDR, but the Apple TV 4K failed to capture our imagination.
Price: RUB 14,990
Final score: 9 points out of 10!
The other day we tested a new set-top box and figured out all its pros and cons. At the same time, we looked at whether there was a difference from 4K films on a suitable TV. And we were convinced that yes. Especially if they just offer you 4K for almost everything you already bought in the iTunes Store.
Straight to the point. What's new and old can Apple TV 4K do? Apple TV 4K works with HD, 4K, SDR, HDR, HDR10, Dolby Vision and will work with Dolby Atmos in the future. But this very “future” is not the most certain.
About each of the formats for new Apple TV in order: 📺 HD - resolution 720p or 1080p. 🖥 4K - in in this case The screen has four times more pixels than HD. The resolution here reaches 2160p. 🎆 SDR - traditional dynamic range, which is familiar to most of you from the most ordinary hardware and content familiar to all of us. 🎇 HDR is an extended dynamic range, within which details appear in dark places in the video that were previously hidden by black. The same story with bright ones. 🏙 HDR10 - Almost every HDR-capable TV works with HDR10. This free technology, which makes it possible to work with a wide dynamic range in medium quality. Samsung only works with this technology. 🌇 Dolby Vision is a proprietary HDR system from Dolby, which only top manufacturers work with. The technology guarantees higher quality images with a wide dynamic range. But only LG, Vizio, TCL and partly Sony are friends with her. 💣 Dolby Atmos is the next generation of surround sound that focuses on the location of people and things in space. Apple TV is the only set-top box that works with Dolby Vision technology. If you want, this is generally one of its main advantages. A new Apple TV set-top box today costs from 12.5 thousand rubles. It is expensive. But no other device will provide this level of work with content and software.
New-old remote control for Apple TV 4K The new Apple TV 4K remote control is very similar to what we have already seen before. However, it has several obvious differences that indicate that it belongs to a new TV set-top box.
There is now a special circle of light around the Menu button, which makes it much easier to find in complete darkness. And that's how we mostly use Apple TV. Fact.
Another advantage of the updated Apple TV remote is a redesigned three-axis gyroscope, which more accurately tracks the position of this device in space. Touchpad the remote control remains the same. I am more than satisfied with it, but not everyone in the editorial office of iPhones.ru agrees with me - some insist that it is small and inconvenient. Debatable.
It seems to me that the Apple TV remote is the best thing on the television market today. They can easily control everything that happens on the screen - including software.
If the remote control is not enough, you can, as an option, connect a wireless keyboard to the set-top box, with which it will be much easier to type the same text.
tvOS is the most ambitious TV platform I think that Apple engineers and developers are very proud of the fact that they managed to redraw everything and everyone in 4K HDR - and not voluntarily, but by force.
Apple TV delivers 4K HDR content to your TV at all times. At the same time, the set-top box does not allow you to change the screen refresh rate from 60 Hz to the same 24 Hz.
At first glance, this seems to be a purely positive fact. But not always. It turns out that the TV does not use any of its intelligent mechanisms, because the content is already in best quality. However, there is information online that Apple continues to work on the algorithms that are necessary for the highest quality 4K HDR display.
And with updates, the company's new set-top box will definitely perform even better.
Is there a difference between Full HD and 4K?
To answer this question, we opened iTunes and downloaded the movie “Logan” to both Apple TV 4 and Apple TV 4K. On the first device the video is played in maximum resolution- 1080p. And on the second - in 4K.
To compare results, simply move the sliders. They deliberately did not take screenshots so that the difference would be noticeable in reality and not in a digital image.
Example 1 Example 2 Not without a fly in the apple tar
A few months ago, information appeared on our website about the cessation of 4K functionality in YouTube via Safari on Apple devices.
For 4K, YouTube has switched to the new VP9 standard. Apple continues to ignore it, which is why the largest repository of content at that resolution doesn't show it on the new Apple TV.
It turns out that you can watch YouTube in 4K on new console It won't work no matter how hard you want. By at least, for now - and the same situation with some other content.
Apple has planned to make iTunes the largest repository of 4K and HDR content. At the same time, all films you purchase should be updated to this standard if possible.
However, the company has still not signed relevant agreements with Marvel and Disney. Therefore, watch the second part of Guardians of the Galaxy or the latest Star Wars It won't be released in 4K. And of course, current Apple TV does not support Dolby Atmos surround sound. It is built into almost all content prepared for Dolby Vision, but not for this console.
Conclusions: the pros and cons of the new Apple TV In total, the new Apple TV is the best set-top box on the market. There is simply nothing more interesting in the field of modern consumer electronics.
Apple TV has always been associated with a top device. And now Apple's console has acquired support for 4K resolution. With such parameters, it is able to once again take a leading place in the sales rankings.
Conclusion
Finally, during testing, we received a UHD picture: what we were missing so much in the 4th generation of this device has nevertheless become a standard in Apple TV 4K. At the same time, not everyone will be able to enjoy 4K resolution - in particular, they will feel excluded from the holiday YouTube users and photographers. In terms of the breadth of content selection in App Store and the ease of control of Apple, as usual, and height. True, the same is true with cost - in the case of Apple, it is usually high.
Performance boost for Apple TV
Visually fifth Apple generation The TV has remained virtually unchanged compared to the previous model: the black console is still designed in a minimalist style and fits comfortably in one hand. The changes affected only reverse side: now there is no previously available USB port Type-C. But since in Apple TV 4 it essentially served only as service port for updates and developer needs, its absence will be noticed by only a few users.
No more USB port: Apple TV 4K now has only three interfaces
The Apple TV 4K has undergone a complete renovation inside the case. To ensure UHD content can be displayed flawlessly, Apple has installed renowned iPad Pro A10X Fusion processor and 3 GB of RAM. The performance has become enough to broadcast video in 4K resolution from the iPhone camera to Apple TV. Also in the list of equipment are a WLAN module of the ac standard and a LAN port.
Finally 4K - in almost everything
Compared to the previous model, the jump to 4K resolution is clearly noticeable when used with the corresponding UHD TVs or 4K projectors. A very noticeable role is played by the new HDR-10 support, which provides natural color reproduction and high contrast. Thanks to this, the differences compared to UHD-Blu-ray are practically erased. Upscaled Full-HD content also looks decent.
In the case of photos that can be downloaded via AirPlay or from iCloud, things don't look so great, of course. Instead of just displaying pictures in highest resolution Accordingly, Apple TV 4K reduces them by downscaling. This fact is especially sad because iPhone camera X (3840x2160 pixels) seems to be designed to work with Apple TV. Another disappointment: 4K is still not supported for YouTube.
Streaming features
4K is not available to everyone: YouTube users will not get UHD pleasure from Apple In terms of features related to streaming, very little has changed - but there was no particular need for it. You can still conveniently purchase or rent TV series and movies from the iTunes Store. At the same time, there are practically no annoying pauses for buffering: after the user selects the desired movie, in most cases it starts right after a few seconds. Alternatively, you will have the opportunity to use well-known streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon Instant Video and stream content in 4K - subject to availability quick connection to the Internet.
During long breaks, you will benefit from the integrated AppStore, which offers numerous games that can, among other things, be controlled using the acceleration sensor built into the remote control or an optionally available controller. For an additional fee, sports fans get access to the content they need through apps for Sky, Eurosport and DAZN. For data storage and Apple applications TV 4K, depending on the configuration, offers built-in storage capacities of 32 or 64 GB.
Management: it couldn't be easier
With the exception of the white border around the Menu button, Apple hasn't changed anything about the remote control. As has already become customary for Apple products, initial setup is easy to understand and quickly implemented, as they say, “with one left hand.” There is nothing to criticize for the control via the included remote control. In particular, voice control via Siri worked great during testing and commands were executed without problems. But if you look at Siri from the perspective of the new Apple Watch or iPhone X, it's easy to see some potential for improvement. For example, the Apple TV completely lacks the “Hey Siri!” feature. The voice assistant begins to listen to you only after the corresponding button on the remote control is pressed. In addition, audio feedback from Siri would be practical, for example, if you ask her about the age of an actor - so far in this case the voice assistant remains mute. There is a possibility that Apple will implement these functions only in tvOS 12.
Alternative options
(2017)
The variety of games in the Apple store is good, but despite everything it still moves the Apple TV 4K away from its status game console. Things are somewhat different with NVidia Shield, which is aimed specifically at gaming and streaming. The high-performance media player based on Android TV also boasts convincingly high performance, excellent 4K images (including YouTube) and many software functions. The NVidia Shield costs about the same as the Apple TV.
Amazon Fire TV with 4K Ultra HD and Alexa voice control
The fact that 4K does not have to be expensive for users is proven by the example of the current generation of Amazon Fire TV. By paying almost 70 euros, you get a constant 60 fps here with UHD resolution and HDR 10 support. Voice control Alexa can easily match Siri, and the variety of apps in the store, thanks to operating system, based on Android, is also significantly better than “average”.