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Any reason to buy 4K Apple TV if you didn’t have a 4K TV?
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Any reason to buy 4K Apple TV if you didn’t have a 4K TV?
Ordered an Apple TV today, and just wondering if there was a need for the 4K version if I don’t yet have a 4K tv? I figured I’d have it so when we get a new TV, it would work, but need to be sure it’ll still work with what I have. It’s been YEARS since I had Apple TV. I’m not even positive it’s gonna be useful for me with my crappy internet out here, but with the $50 gift card for Black Friday, I figured it was a good time to try it.
elvisimprsntr
macrumors 6502a
Jul 17, 2013
Apple and third party apps will eventually stop supporting the non-4K ATVs at some point.
If you have the extra coin$, buy the 4K ATV to future proof your purchase, plus you get the better remote.
It will work with lower resolution TVs.
If you have the extra coin$, buy the 4K ATV to future proof your purchase, plus you get the better remote.
It will work with lower resolution TVs.
Last edited: Nov 26, 2021
Reactions: sydneysider88
It will work with your current TV just fine. Obviously you won't be able to watch any content in 4K until you get a new TV, but you'll definitely future proof it.
Hopefully your internet speeds are at least 25mbps for when you do get a new TV.
Hopefully your internet speeds are at least 25mbps for when you do get a new TV.
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Wando64
macrumors 65816
Jul 11, 2013
1,441
1,764
Only time will tell, but I am willing to bet a beer that this is not going to happen any day soon.Apple and third party apps will eventually stop supporting the non-4K ATVs at some point.
Compatibility is assured for as long as Apple will allow OS updates.
While with phones and iPads there is an incentive for Apple to push for hardware upgrades, in the case of the TV the money is made from the content, not the hardware, and therefore it is in their interest to allow OS upgrades for as long as possible.
All of that said, the only ATV available for sale is the latest 4K, so unless the OP is willing to buy second hand the whole discussion is academic.
Well, it was almost two years ago, but I got two refurb'ed Apple TV HD's (ATV4) instead of the original 4k Apple TV. I don't have a 4k TV and really have no plans to get one soon. The difference in cost was significant when buying two and I haven't regretted it. My use is pretty basic: Sling, Discovery and a large local library of movies and TV shows on a 2014 Mini that I use as a server. Not interested in games.
My Apple TV's are hard-wired and it would be nice to have the gigabit ethernet on the 4k version, but that can wait until my next upgrade. Have heard so many different opinions of the new remotes, not sure what to think. Definitely did not like the old AppleTV Siri remote, so I still use the aluminum remotes from my old Apple TV 3's.
My Apple TV's are hard-wired and it would be nice to have the gigabit ethernet on the 4k version, but that can wait until my next upgrade. Have heard so many different opinions of the new remotes, not sure what to think. Definitely did not like the old AppleTV Siri remote, so I still use the aluminum remotes from my old Apple TV 3's.
Wando64
macrumors 65816
Jul 11, 2013
1,441
1,764
I didn’t know you could do that.so I still use the aluminum remotes from my old Apple TV 3's.
How?
w5jck
macrumors 6502a
Nov 9, 2013
1,005
I bought the ATV 4K 2017 version two years ago when I still didn’t have a 4K TV, but I wanted to be ready when and if I ever did. I did buy a 4K TV a year later, so now I’m glad I bought the latest technology rather than saving a few dollars to get yesterday’s technology. I would have to verify, but I suspect the chips in the 4K version I bought were newer and better than those in the HD version. The ATV 4K 2021 version definitely has better chips.
With nearly every internet provider providing more than fast enough service these days, I wouldn’t worry about upgrading to a 4K TV someday. I do suggest that if you do eventually upgrade to 4K TV that you get an HDR capable one. 4K adds more resolution which you might notice or not depending on how close you are to the set, but the really big improvement is in the extra colors and greater dynamic range provided by HDR. HDR takes you from the 16 million colors from non-HDR to a whopping 1 billion colors, so color banding virtually disappears. And blacks look blacker, not just dark grey. Unfortunately, HDR content isn’t widespread yet, but it will be someday.
With nearly every internet provider providing more than fast enough service these days, I wouldn’t worry about upgrading to a 4K TV someday. I do suggest that if you do eventually upgrade to 4K TV that you get an HDR capable one. 4K adds more resolution which you might notice or not depending on how close you are to the set, but the really big improvement is in the extra colors and greater dynamic range provided by HDR. HDR takes you from the 16 million colors from non-HDR to a whopping 1 billion colors, so color banding virtually disappears. And blacks look blacker, not just dark grey. Unfortunately, HDR content isn’t widespread yet, but it will be someday.
Reactions: ssledoux
They should just work. Obviously, you won't have the touchpad, but the cursor buttons do the same thing.I didn’t know you could do that.
How?
Okay well I ordered the 4K. Honestly with our setup, IDK how useful it will be at all, but the $50 Apple gift card made it a good time to try it out. We don't really have good streaming capabilities here, but I'm sure I can do SOMETHING with it, and if not, I'll return it.
I'm pretty out of the loop with the things I can do with Apple TV because it's been so long since I have had one.
I'm pretty out of the loop with the things I can do with Apple TV because it's been so long since I have had one.
Thanks for all the input. I actually decided to cancel the order for the Apple TV. After really looking at what I can do with it, I just think I won't get much benefit due to our limited, crappy wifi option (satellite). We really can't stream anything, and have a limited amount of usage per month, so I can't really see a point.
Juicy Box
macrumors 603
Sep 23, 2014
6,036
6,882
If paying full retail prices, I would never buy the HD version of the Apple TV. The 4K is just a little more, but has a lot faster hardware in it.
In reality, the hardware in the Apple TV 4K is way overkill for streaming. It is an overpowered, but overprice streaming box, at least of what it is mostly used for. But if you were going to buy one anyways, the Apple TV 4K is the way to go.
Even the older 2017 Apple TV 4K with the A10X has faster HW than what the competition offers right now.
It could be an old TV, DVD player, universal remote. I have even used the IR remote that came with my robot vacuum, and the Apple TV recognized it using the Remote Learning feature.
It is really easy and only takes about 20 seconds to set it up.
In reality, the hardware in the Apple TV 4K is way overkill for streaming. It is an overpowered, but overprice streaming box, at least of what it is mostly used for. But if you were going to buy one anyways, the Apple TV 4K is the way to go.
Even the older 2017 Apple TV 4K with the A10X has faster HW than what the competition offers right now.
Any IR remote will work with any generation of the Apple TV using the Remote Learning feature built into the OS.I didn’t know you could do that.
How?
It could be an old TV, DVD player, universal remote. I have even used the IR remote that came with my robot vacuum, and the Apple TV recognized it using the Remote Learning feature.
It is really easy and only takes about 20 seconds to set it up.
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fastbagger
macrumors regular
May 13, 2015
I just purchased one only because of the gig ethernet as mine is plugged directly into ethernet v. Wifi.
Reactions: Boyd01
You can’t use HomePods as the audio output without the 4K AppleTV. I bought the non 4K and ended up returning it for a 4K because it wouldn’t allow me to use the HomePod.
Reactions: ssledoux
mallbritton
macrumors 6502a
Nov 26, 2006
FYI, you can buy an Apple TV HD directly from Apple for $149.All of that said, the only ATV available for sale is the latest 4K, so unless the OP is willing to buy second hand the whole discussion is academic.
Reactions: Wando64
If you do want the AppleTV HD, you can buy certified refurbished directly from Apple for $129, that's how I got mine. They also have refurbs of both generation 4k models.
Refurbished Apple TV HD 32GB - Apple
Originally released April 2021 Apple TV HD brings the best shows, movies, live sports, and access to your favorite Apple services. Enjoy content from services like Apple TV+, Netflix, and Disney+, as well as live channels from YouTube TV and Sling TV. And use the Siri Remote (2nd generation), to...
www.apple.com
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Allyance
Contributor
ouimetnick
macrumors 68040
If you have (or plan to start having) a smart home, go with the 2021 ATV 4K. It supports Thread. I think that you need the 4K Apple TV if you want to use HomePod as a stereo pair and the default output, especially if you want Dolby Atmos.
I have a 2017 and 2021 Apple TV 4K. Sold the HD model on eBay a while back.
I have a 2017 and 2021 Apple TV 4K. Sold the HD model on eBay a while back.
Reactions: ssledoux
I'm still using Sharp Special Edition 1080p TV's from 13 years ago. I own two, and have had the Apple TV HD on them since 2016. I just upgraded to the 4K 2021 version mainly for the new remote, the ability to stream lossless audio, and the faster processor. I didn't expect any change in picture quality on my 1080p TV's, but I unexpectedly got it. The picture quality seems to be improved a bit over my old Apple TV HD's.
Reactions: Boyd01
bingeciren
macrumors 6502a
Sep 6, 2011
It just works, that’s how. In fact an old relic of a white plastic remote I have also works on all of my ATV3 and ATV4.I didn’t know you could do that.
How?
Wando64
macrumors 65816
Jul 11, 2013
1,441
1,764
Well, it doesn’t “just work” unless you do the remote learning as suggested by someone on a previous post.It just works, that’s how. In fact an old relic of a white plastic remote I have also works on all of my ATV3 and ATV4.
I currently have an ATV4 and an ATV2 (which I use for audio airplay) connected to my TV, and each remote controls only its respective ATV box.
bingeciren
macrumors 6502a
Sep 6, 2011
Not my experience. I have 4 atv3s and a 4K atv4 and all of my atv3 remotes work on any of them as well as on the atv4 without any learning.Well, it doesn’t “just work” unless you do the remote learning as suggested by someone on a previous post.
I currently have an ATV4 and an ATV2 (which I use for audio airplay) connected to my TV, and each remote controls only its respective ATV box.
I agree, if you have an actual Apple TV remote then it should "just work". I think the "learning" part would only be needed for third-party remotes.
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