Apple TV 4K video settings

[Felix_ro]

Originally Posted by Mobe1969

I've plenty of Atmos discs, but I can't figure how to find any titles on my Apple TV 4k that has Atmos. I don't have 4k Netflix, but I have Amazon prime. But I was told Jack Ryan has Atmos audio on prime, but when I look at that title on prime, it shows a 5.1 badge, and plays as lossy 5.1. Maybe it is that I'm in Australia and we just get shafted. I don't even know if I'm getting Jack Ryan in 4k on Amazon.

This is why whenever I hear people saying disc media is dead I just get depressed. I 100% know what I have with physical media, 100%. I know it is 4k, rec2020, Atmos, etc. I know the bitrate and resolution isn't going to drop down on me due to network traffic. I know the audio is lossless, and better than anything on streaming. I've been pretty surprised seeing actual spectrum curves for recent movies between the lossy Atmos and lossless Atmos and it is stunning. In general around 6 to 7dB overall less, and even a lower dynamic range, min to max.

OK then, I think now I understand you better, and what you want: to make sure that your Apple TV 4K is providing to your “system/setup” the Atmos track and the 4K resolution (with HDR or Dolby Vision where available)!

For this, I’ve discovered myself that you need several things to be set correctly, and I'll try to list them from memory (now I've shout down everything for today, sorry):

1. make sure you have the latest Apple TV update (beta is not necessary at this time anymore for Atmos)

2. configure "Quick Start" On

3. configure Audio on Auto and Atmos On

4.1 ensure that your cable support 4K HD, and for Dolby Vision is a MUST one 18GB HDMI cable (I know this is a given, and maybe is basic and "doh" as "make sure it is powered", but I have to tell you that you need to BE SURE of this, otherwise bye-bye 4K and HDR/DV)
4.2 ensure that your AVR/Receiver/Processor do know how to decode Atmos, and keep in mind that Atmos on streaming is quite different than the Atmos on physical disks (for sure your AVR/Receiver/Processor has Atmos capabilities as long as you say you have many disks and you could enjoy them, but check in depth about supporting the "Apple's version of Atmos" which I understand that it is different than most of others, even of Vudu's, Amazon's, or Movies Anywere's; I'll suggest some research on some forums like here on Blu-Ray.com as on others, like Audioholics, AVForums and AVSforum)
4.3 ensure that the title you want to watch/hear is 4K, HDR, DV, Atmos, and I trust you already know where and how to check that, right?!? (also a basic and "doh" thing, but need to be addressed )
4.4 make sure you have good internet connection, minimum of 25 MBPS if I recall correct, and I would suggest a) to use a cable to connect Apple TV to your router and b) download the Sppedtest app on your Apple TV and run it several times with closest server and several times with the farthest ones available to check your internet speed and reliability

5. then, at the moment of playing of one title (I would suggest some title from Apple's Movies, but not a trailer, and for start nothing else like Netflix or Amazon, until you really get what you want working for sure), while playing, you need to swipe-down to the info, and there you'll see the "label" of each function that is currently available, as follows:
HD=> the image sent to your setup is just HD
4K=> the image sent to your setup is 4K
HDR/DV=> the image sent to your setup is HDR or Dolby Vision
Atmos=> the sound track sent to your setup is Atmos

You can see the labels, some other information and speed requirement here:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207949

Now, I'll let you know my setup, maybe will help too.

I am also NOT located in US (i'm in Romania), so, I don't think you have to worry about availability to you in Australia, cause I believe Australia would get everything from Apple way before Romania.
I use one Apple US account and one UK, both having the same results.
My projector is not 4K, so I have to rely on the HDMI IN of my Oppo to actually "trick" Apple TV in showing me 4K and HDR (not DV yet, I don't know why, but at this moment does not present much interest for me).
Also, my AVR (Yamaha RX-A2040) is one of the first that got Atmos (via a post sale firmware update) and I believe is not "understanding" the Apple's version of Atmos, because it fails to decode it, and I either have it without Atmos and I can hear the track, either it shows me as Atmos but I can't hear anything and AVR is showing as when it does not receive any audio signal (not even the 2.0 as it is when in the Apple's menu/interface, so I presume it gets "something" but it does not know how to understand/decode it.

Hope all this is clear and that will really help (you and anyone else that will read)!


And, to not forget, I am too pro physical media (Blu-Ray's and UHD) for all the reasons you mentioned, and plus one that most people seems to forget and not consider too much: NONE of the "digital" copies and the "streaming" are our property, even if we purchase/pay them! It happened more than one time and for more than one person that they got their movies deleted from their "library" at the provider discretion, without warning or remorse. I think there's a specific article in the Terms of use and Agreements that states this on all digital providers!
But our hard worked investment in our beloved Blu-Rays are here to stay, and don't have expiration date (just God forbids of any physical damages on them )!

OH MEN, but I did wrote A LOT!