Best Streaming Provider for 4K VIDEO Quality?

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by cleeve

The new Apple TV 4K is using literally zero HDMI 2.1 features right now outside of being used as an eARC device.

It doesn't even support FRS right now:

https://www.imore.com/new-apple-tv-4...i-21-potential

The hardware is most likely not capable of any video output modes beyond HDMI 2.0, since the internal DPI/HDMI converter is the same 2.0 model that was used in the previous generation. They just added an audio transceiver for eARC (see here).

There's no difference in PQ between the new ATV 4K and the old one right now.

It wouldn't necessarily exclude the possibility that they may have improved image processing steps such as tone mapping, upscaling etc. The A12 SoC does have a more powerful GPU than the A10X that was used in the old model. But that wouldn't have anything to do with HDMI 2.1.

Anyway, I have both generations and haven't noticed any obvious difference.

[lgans316]

Originally Posted by cleeve

The new Apple TV 4K is using literally zero HDMI 2.1 features right now outside of being used as an eARC device.

It doesn't even support FRS right now:

https://www.imore.com/new-apple-tv-4...i-21-potential

There's no difference in PQ between the new ATV 4K and the old one right now.

Agree but few reported the PQ on DV is a wee bit better on ATV 4K 2nd gen. Besides that, there is barely any difference.


Once again, its just old wine in a new bottle.

[tjritter79]

Originally Posted by cleeve

The new Apple TV 4K is using literally zero HDMI 2.1 features right now outside of being used as an eARC device.

It doesn't even support FRS right now:

https://www.imore.com/new-apple-tv-4...i-21-potential

There's no difference in PQ between the new ATV 4K and the old one right now.

Pay attention to the section called "Reviews"

https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/apple-tv/

[cleeve]

Originally Posted by tjritter79

Pay attention to the section called "Reviews"

https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/apple-tv/

What does this have to do with anything? Not one of them mentioned improved streaming image quality vs the 2017 ATV4K.

[Shinigami187]

Originally Posted by tjritter79

Problem is the BRAVIA CORE service is only available on the top-line new Sony TV's...but I agree it looks awesome, and sounds just as good with IMAX dts sound.

I have the A80J and it's not really the high end one but is the 2nd best one from Sony.

[Streetlight]

Thoughts on HBOMax, Paramount+, & Hulu?

[slimdude]

4K UHD Blu-rays have the best 4K quality over any streaming services because the A/V on the disc is not compressed.

[CreasyBear]

Originally Posted by slimdude

4K UHD Blu-rays have the best 4K quality over any streaming services because the A/V on the disc is not compressed.

4K discs are compressed less than streaming services, but they're still compressed.

Also, you're in the streaming section.

[Naiera]

Uncompressed video takes up insane amounts of space.

[Lee A Stewart]

Originally Posted by slimdude

4K UHD Blu-rays have the best 4K quality over any streaming services because the A/V on the disc is not compressed.

[VikingHead2000]

Unfortunately streaming is the future and discs are becoming a think if the past. I hate to say it but it’s true. Sales of physical media continue to decline and it’s getting worse every single year.

[CreasyBear]

Originally Posted by VikingHead2000

Unfortunately streaming is the future and discs are becoming a think if the past. I hate to say it but it’s true. Sales of physical media continue to decline and it’s getting worse every single year.

It's still a money maker and studios will continue to release them for years to come.

[TitusTroy]

are the bit-rate numbers in the 1st post still accurate?...I thought Amazon Prime Video was a bit better nowadays than what is listed (Video: Average: 10 Mbps; Peak: 13 Mbps)

[Christian_Huls]

Don't all the streaming sites actually DOWNLAOD a good chunk of the movie first before playback begins so that it plays at the SAME quality?

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by VikingHead2000

Unfortunately streaming is the future and discs are becoming a think if the past. I hate to say it but it’s true. Sales of physical media continue to decline and it’s getting worse every single year.

There will always be a market and a demand for physical media because, everybody doesn't prefer streaming. The industry has to cater a variety of formats to the consumers for their preference. What would this world be like if it only had one choice of everything? DVDs have on the market for 25 years, and DVDs, Blu-rays and 4K UHD discs are not going anywhere.

[cleeve]

Originally Posted by Christian_Huls

Don't all the streaming sites actually DOWNLAOD a good chunk of the movie first before playback begins so that it plays at the SAME quality?

A bit, yes. You can turn off your internet & find that the film you're watching will play for another couple minutes before stopping.

[meremortal]

Shame that Vudu's not stepping it up. Their interface is so easy to use for idiots like me and it's nice to be able to watch in-browser. iTunes is something I need to get, but I like to watch digital on the computer and unfortunately it is not compatible with my os.

[avs commenter]

Originally Posted by meremortal

Shame that Vudu's not stepping it up. Their interface is so easy to use for idiots like me and it's nice to be able to watch in-browser. iTunes is something I need to get, but I like to watch digital on the computer and unfortunately it is not compatible with my os.

What's your OS?

[ArtBlanc]

It's been over 2 years since pghflyer updated the original post.
Has anyone done a more recent detailed comparison test like this within the past 2 years?
I have referred others to this post many times but sometimes people will argue that the test results aren't up to date

[pghflyer]

I'm happy to update the main post but haven't really seen many current assessments TBH. If someone posts them here, I will update it.