Gadgetory

you're looking at the new Apple TV 4k on the outside it looks exactly like the older non 4k version released a couple of years ago but there's one big difference only this one can stream the highest quality video available today let's take a look the first thing to know about the Apple TV 4k is it only delivers that top quality video to compatible TVs if you have a 4k TV especially one with high dynamic range aka HDR you're set this little box and also stream in Dolby vision another HDR format used by some TVs as well as Netflix Amazon and others I tested it with a bunch of 4k HDR video on a variety of televisions including this excellent LG OLED the Apple TV's performance was top-notch but as with any other 4k HDR source don't expect miracles the difference between 4k and lower resolution video is often tough to spot HDR provides a more visible improvement boosting highlights for additional pop and improving color but its impact varies different movies and TV shows take more advantage of HDR than others and even the best won't give you the same boost you saw and going from standard def to high def all those years ago in an unusual move the new Apple TV 4k also converts everything to 4k and HDR from the menus to games to youtube videos it doesn't improve their image quality much but it does mean you might get indicators from your TV that's receiving HDR or gold vision content even when it's not for an Apple product I think that's unnecessarily confusing and hopefully it gets fixed one real improvement compared to the non 4k Apple TV is this little raised white ring on the remote which allowed me to easily tell which end was up and locate the crucial Menu key by feel the remote sleek touchpad is still one of my favorites and make zipping around responsive menus quick and a lot more fun some dumb buttons talking into the remote also invoke Siri on Apple TV she still doesn't talk back as she does in your phone but you can make finding for cake hunting easier just ask show me TV shows in 4k the results draw heavily from iTunes and Netflix but that's changing soon Amazon with its large or K HDR library be coming before the end of the year in the meantime iTunes as a solid selection of 4k HDR stuff if you bought a TV show or movie there it will be automatically converted to 4k when the iTunes version is available iTunes also has lower prices than competitors like Vudu and Google Play for a lot of its 4k knee movies they can get a very good choice for renting or buying new releases in the highest quality format the new Apple TV 4k has a faster processor than the original and in practice both seem equally zippy loading apps images and videos with aplomb but the price difference is just 30 bucks so I recommend getting the 4k version even if you don't yet on a 4k TV that way you'll be ready for tomorrow the Apple TV 4k costs a lot more than competing 4k streamers from Amazon and Roku but it's polished interface excellent romona voice control and of course its massive selection of apps and games could make it worth the difference for you even if you're not already a heavy Apple user I'm David Katz my frisina