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  • hansmuff - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    HEVC maybe with next version ;)

    I do like the concept of that remote but I don't like the recharging piece. AAA batteries may be a little old world but at least I can throw new ones in and have my remote work instantly and for years to come.

    Perhaps it's too small to add wireless charging, but that'd be a good compromise.
  • ltcommanderdata - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    The A8/A8X can use h.265 for FaceTime so the hardware support is there. They've just never enabled it for general video playback to date. With the new iPhone 6s/6s Plus shooting 4k video, presumably using h.265, maybe they'll enable playback on A8/A8X in the future so videos can be shared between devices.
  • Jumangi - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    Doesn't matter if they enable it if your stuck with an 1.4 HDMI port on the thing.
  • az060693 - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    USB Type-C does have an alternate displayport mode that supports 4k@60fps though. Maybe enabled in a firmware update in the future? Though its apple... so probably not. Maybe by third-party developers though.
  • haukionkannel - Friday, September 11, 2015 - link

    When they can sell new nevice in two years... No we don't get 4K in 4th generation Apple TV...
    It is better deal to sell these first, and new versions a couple of years later.

    I can predict, that we get Apple TV new+ with A8 and 4k (because it is possible) in cheaper category (100$ with 32Gb) and maybe completely new with A9 (with 32gb at 149$ and 64Gb version with 199$ price tag and completely new 128Gb version 299$) in 2018. And everyone will buy new version again! Profit! Maybe we even see new A8 version with 1080P max and 16Gb in 69$ gategory... Wow!
  • solipsism - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    It's a possibility. We know the iPhone 6-series supports H.265 when it's end-to-end 6-series with at least one of them on connected via cellular. I'm not sure why they have the cellular limitation. Obviously to reduce cellular data sizes, but why not offer that for WiFI, too.

    We know it's actively encoding and decoding H.265 in that setup, but do we know it's done with a specific chip, or in SW? I would say that it definitely is in HW, otherwise why bother with any testing of it, but I'm curious if we know it's there, not just suspect it has to be.

    Anyway, I say possibility because even if they do offer it, their FaceTime en/decoding will be using a much smaller video size for the files which isn't like that taxing on the system, but with 4K video it might be to much, although I do hope they do have an excellent chip that can do this without taxing the system much more than their previous use with H.265 and 1080p(?) video.
  • solipsism - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    er, ...previous use with H.264 and 1080p(?) video.
  • iampivot - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    Apple always portions out the improvements in little drips, for the endless upgrade cycle.
  • plonk420 - Friday, September 11, 2015 - link

    from what i understand, true 4K doesn't exist
    https://library.creativecow.net/galt_john/John_Gal...
  • plonk420 - Friday, September 11, 2015 - link

    *4K video
  • jameskatt - Thursday, September 10, 2015 - link

    Apple has a lighting recharging stand. It's cool. It lets the remote stand up and be seen.
  • 3DoubleD - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    You show an image of a 3rd party Xbox controller but you don't mention it in the article. Does this mean you can connect certain gaming controllers to the Apple TV?

    This is the part I really struggle with understanding. How does Apple TV support gaming. Are people really supposed to use the 1 remote or each buy an iPhone to play a multi-player game?

    The interface looks nice though. Why can't someone make a GUI like this for Windows 10 so I can use it on my HTPC? Come on Microsoft...
  • Brandon Chester - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    It's mentioned in a paragraph underneath the image.
  • 3DoubleD - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    Ah, sorry, missed that one small sentence at the end there.
  • name99 - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    "Are people really supposed to use the 1 remote or each buy an iPhone to play a multi-player game?"

    Why do we keep hearing this story? iPhones are not rare and precious jewels that are only owned by the Donald Trumps of the world. If you're a household that's buying an Apple TV, probably the household already owns a few iPhones and iPod Touches.

    Simple answer: Yes, people ARE expected to "buy" an iPhone each to get maximum value of this device.
    Apple expects to lose precisely 1000 sales to the absolutely TINY fraction of American society that, for some bizarre reason, wants to buy an AppleTV but simultaneously has utterly no interest in buying an iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch.

    Christ, what's next?
    Does Apple seriously expect me to own a TV set so that I can enjoy this new box?
    Why does Apple insist that my house be wired for electricity before I can buy an Apple TV?
    Why does Apple keep requiring that my house have internet before I can use their devices?
  • steven75 - Friday, September 11, 2015 - link

    I LOL'ed
  • euskalzabe - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    I really hope I can update my 2012 ATV to tvOS. I could get the new ATV, but mine works just fine, I just want the new SW.

    Knowing Apple... unlikely.
  • Brandon Chester - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    A5 is definitely too slow, and RAM limited.
  • euskalzabe - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    If you just use the 2012 ATV for video playing though, the new ATV has no benefit at all. Most of the performance gains are related to Siri and games. Both boxes decode the same 1080p video and tvOS looks like a simple UI refresh that's not particularly graphics heavy.

    There seems to be technically zero reason to bring this to older ATV users. Just don't let us play games, that would surely suck on the 2012 cpu. The rest - as in, video, which is 100% the ATV's function? Should be fine.
  • hansmuff - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    A strange update to the ATV then, I think. Do people really play games on the STB? I can't imagine why I would restrict myself to the limited processing power.

    If I really can't afford a console and want some sort of games for the kid, a used old gen console is cheaper and better. I don't understand the gaming on these boxes at all.
  • solipsism - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    What about playing games on a phone? That's now a huge business.
  • fteoath64 - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    This is in response to Android TV boxes like shield TV box that plays great games. I besides, I apple can do with the revenue from games in the App store.... It has been their business model...
  • michael2k - Thursday, September 10, 2015 - link

    I think the disconnect is that you imagine the A8 as 'limited processing power'; you do realize there is a group of gamers who think the exact same thing of consoles? The XB1 and PS4, after all, use beefed up Kaveri cores when real gamers are using quad core Core i7 CPUs with standalone Titans.

    So if you compare the chasms, this is more powerful (I think) Wii U; technically it is 2x the power of the A8 found on an iPhone, but we really don't know about the clock settings on the Apple TV. We know the Apple TV and iPad mini 4 have twice the RAM of the A8 found on the iPhone 6 so there may also be other differences too.
  • jeffkibuule - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    All of the real-time blurs would absolutely murder the A5 GPU.
  • CharonPDX - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    A few things that really bug me - No 4K. Apple always seems to be a little behind the times, but still. HDMI 2.0 and 4K support, even if the CONTENT isn't 4K, would be nice. (Like the original AppleTV, which supported HDMI output at higher resolution than it could actually play back - at least photos were full resolution.)

    The remote still has IR, but from what I can tell, all communication to the AppleTV is Bluetooth - what's the point of the IR? Will we finally be able to program it to control the TV/receiver's volume on the remote? (Please, please, please. Turning on, and adjusting volume are the only thing I use my receiver's remote for any more. I would love to be able to do both directly from the AppleTV remote.)

    Will the new interface, and, more importantly, the App Store, be coming to the older AppleTV units in an update? While I hope so, I doubt it - I imagine they're going to make A8 and Metal support the "minimum spec" for apps.

    For the love of Jobs, add live TV tuner support! If not an actual TV tuner on the device, at least WiiU-like integrating listings and information for live TV in to the interface. I have an older HDTV that doesn't have an ATSC tuner, and I would love to ditch my home theater PC as my TV tuner.
  • Deelron - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    They did say you could control the TVs volume with the new remote, I assume that's the primary use of the it.
  • quasimodo123 - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    Out of curiosity, how does your HD TV not have an ATSC tuner? Did you purchase it outside the US?
  • solipsism - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    1) I wish it too had a 4K UHD UI for at least photos and the many that do have 4K UHD TVs right now.
    2) IR for your TV volume and source control.
    3) Not getting anything for your old Apple TV.
    4) They do have USB-C, which is unusual for the service port, so perhaps, but I doubt it.
    5) Perhaps I can use a USB-C-to-USB-A adapter from Monoprice to recharge the new BT remote.
    6) I wish the top of the Apple TV would inductively charge the remote, as well an optional stand for the remote for the induction charging if you're Apple TV isn't in a convenient place.
    7) Besides no being 4K, I wish it also had GigE.
    8) It's still not a proper media hub where it can run a version of iTunes that I can edit via iCloud, or from an app, and will access a USB and/or network drive. I do this now with a Mac mini and USB 3.0 connected RAID, but that's an expensive setup just to run iTunes.
    9) I HATE the [Computers] button on the UI. I don't buy movies and TV shows from the iTunes Store but they push you to that. I want direct access to my "iTunes Server" Movies and TV Shows on the main screen, without having to Computers » Choose the right Home Sharing source, then choose the right media type.
    10) I had hoped they would have a proper media hub for your 'main' TV which would then talk to your other Apple TVs on the network. This would then allow you to stop and pick up anywhere in your home.
    11) I also wanted this to be able to recognize the user so you UI, content you want to see/not see, saved places, and other settings would be available if you were controlling the remote. Perhaps a more rudimentary version of Touch ID that would be for convenience, not security.
    12) In 2013 Tim Cook said the home entertainment center is like stepping into the 70s. He wasn't wrong, but he didn't really do anything to change that today.
  • ABR - Thursday, September 17, 2015 - link

    The Apple TV 1 was the last time they made a "proper media hub". I keep hoping they'll find their way back there, but it looks like they are too obsessed with (1) Cloud and (2) stimulating Mac sales by requiring a computer to be on and in the loop to play local content. (Because one CPU's not enough and the setup would be too simple, right?!)
  • fteoath64 - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    One would like to assume that third party TV tuners could be added using the usb-C port??? In future or whenever apple feels like selling you another $99 accessory.
  • Gwan - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    How about AirPlay, is there any improvement?
  • osxandwindows - Friday, September 11, 2015 - link

    coming in iOS 9
  • webdoctors - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link

    Its sad you can't just buy something like the Nvidia Shield and install the tvOS on it. Forcing folks with one OS just because of a HW choice ends up artificially limiting your capability and choices. This thing can't even decode 4K, that's ridiculous for a media device launching in 2015.

    I saw clips from the keynote, and it was ridiculous how they were announcing certain features as new; portraying these as new and novel ones not already found on Roku, Amazon FTV, Shield, etc.

    Most vendors will have a table displaying how their device compares to others, showing 10% gain here, or feature X here missing on device Y. Nope, no table here. Anandtech didn't include one either. Pathetic all round...if Razor did this it would be a joke.
  • name99 - Thursday, September 10, 2015 - link

    "Its sad you can't just buy something like the Nvidia Shield and install the tvOS on it."

    No, what's sad is that for 20 fscking years Linux heads have been crying about the fact that they can't install Apple software on whatever hardware they like, while they have done NOTHING to actually write software that matches Apple in polish and usability.

    (And they seem utterly uninterested in changing any of their behavior so as to start to be able to write such software. You know that if, for some bizarre reason, Apple actually released tvOS, people like you would immediately be complaining that it doesn't handle Dirac and WMV and MPEG-1 and Indeo. Why can't you change the fonts and colors and completely reskin it? Why doesn't it allow you to change the preferences for what algorithm it uses when de-interlacing? etc etc etc)
  • lilmoe - Friday, September 11, 2015 - link

    I've called it, but Apple didn't really deliver on what I thought they would. THIS is the type of device they need to slap their top notch SoC into, not a year old phone SoC. I just hate it when they cut corners to make their "next iteration" a more justifiable upgrade. Would it have killed them if they used their current A9X chip? Or at f'ing least last year's A8X? God knows their set-top box needs the GPU power... That is, if they were serious about gaming and 4K media. But as it stands, their version of gaming is just a gimmick to sell the platform. IMHO, this platform is service oriented, IE: their primary income is the apps ecosystem, not hardware refresh. The hardware should have a 3-4 year lifespan.

    I like the XBox, a lot, but I'm not too much into AAA gaming. I simple, visually appealing and immersive games that don't need a relatively massive GPU. I like that fact that devs actually do some work to optimize for Apple's platform to get the best out of the hardware.

    The starting price is appealing though. This would have actually been the first Apple device I would have bought in a while if it had/supported the following (please clarify if I'm wrong):
    - The A9X
    - Connects to mass storage devices via USB.
    - Supports Chromecast (I might be wrong and it might be doable).
    - Supports Miracast.

    These are really essential for a modern set-top box. I wish they'd eat their hats and embrace the least bit of standards already. This particular platform needs it bad. Oh well, the NVidia Shield TV looks like my only option here.

    It's all about first impressions. Most people didn't even hear about Apple TV before. This COULD HAVE been a console killer if done right. They blew it.
  • haukionkannel - Friday, September 11, 2015 - link

    Apple don't want chromecast, they don't want miracast. Apple wants your money... How hard it is understand.... It is better now make not so good device, so that they can sell better device, that is not too good, so that they can sell the next device...
    They make more money that way. Good for them. And nothing wrong if they can sell as much as they want and normally Apple does sell well, so they are doing something right.
    I don't have to like it. I also would have liked to see better Apple TV, but I will newer see it because it is better to Apple to sell separate device for Apple products than compete with others in Chrome and Miracast market. And because Apple owns Air play, they always will sell their devices because no one else is allowed to make a device that could support Airplay...

    I could buy any day a device that will fully support all those formats Airplay, Chromecast, Miracast and so on, but there newer will be a device like that...
  • steven75 - Friday, September 11, 2015 - link

    Apple doesn't need miracast or chromecast and neither do their users.
  • wilna - Sunday, March 18, 2018 - link

    Apple TV is working seamlessly. Nowadays, you can watch latest movies and TV shows on Terrarium TV app. You can download Terrarium TV app from http://terrariumtvofficial.com/

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