Apple TV HD vs. Apple TV 4K Buyer’s Guide
There are a great deal of meaningful differences in between the Apple TELEVISION HD and Apple TV 4K that deserve highlighting, including their supported resolutions and processors.
Distinctions
Design, measurements, and weight
Support for SDR
HDMI port
Ethernet port
Infrared receiver
HDMI-CEC, AirPlay, and Bluetooth
Second-generation Siri Remote
In April 2021, Apple exposed the second-generation Apple TELEVISION 4K, bringing high framerate HDR with Dolby Vision to the Apple TV for the first time and the A12 chip for improved efficiency, along with an upgraded Siri Remote. The Apple TELEVISION HD was very first launched in 2015 and has stayed in Apples lineup considering that then as an entry-level choice, and now it comes with the upgraded Siri Remote.
Should you consider acquiring the Apple TV HD to conserve cash, or do you require the Apple TV 4K? Our guide responds to the concern of how to choose which of these 2 Apple TELEVISION set-top boxes is finest for you.
Comparing the Apple TELEVISION HD and the Apple TV 4K
The Apple TELEVISION HD and Apple TV 4K share the very same design and a number of standard features such as HDMI and the redesigned Siri Remote:
Similarities
Apple TELEVISION HD
Apple TV 4K (Second-Generation).
* to be verified.
Both models support standard dynamic variety, however just the Apple TELEVISION 4K supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, for richer colors and deeper blacks. The Apple TV 4K likewise supports high framerate HDR up to 60-fps. A lot of consumers should purchase the Apple TV 4K. There is just a $30 cost distinction between the Apple TV HD and Apple TELEVISION 4K. Even for customers for whom the Apple TELEVISION HD would be adequate, the $30 upgrade to the Apple TV 4K is outstanding value and worth it in practically all situations due to the myriad of considerable however little upgrades it has across the board.
Even if you can not take benefit of the Apple TV 4Ks better video and audio capabilities, you will get a faster processor, more RAM, and quicker connectivity. Also, users with an HD TELEVISION and a standard audio set-up might update their gadgets in the future, in which case the Apple TELEVISION 4K would have the ability to remain and make usage of any updated hardware.
Considering that the second-generation Apple TELEVISION 4K is a 2021 model, it is six years more recent than 2015s Apple TV HD and will be far more lasting, especially due to its faster processor and added memory.
The only people who must consider the Apple TELEVISION HD are individuals on a stringent budget, those without any objective of updating their setups, and those without any interest in technologies like Ultra-HD 4K, HDR, or Dolby Atmos.
For standard HD, SDR TVs and basic audio setups, the Apple TV 4K is significantly restricted by the video and audio specs of the hardware linked to it. The Apple TV HD may likewise seem a good option for existing Apple TELEVISION users looking to purchase an additional Apple TV for another room for activities such as Apple Fitness+.
Assistance for as much as 1080p resolution
Support for SDR
Support for audio output with 7.1 channels
HDMI 1.4
1.5 GHz dual-core Apple A8 chip
2GB RAM
32GB storage only
10/100 Ethernet
Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth 4.0
$ 149.
Supports for up to 2160p (4K) resolution.
Assistance for SDR, HDR10, and Dolby Vision.
High framerate HDR up to 60-fps.
Assistance for audio output with 7.1.4 channels with Dolby Atmos.
HDMI 2.1.
2.49 GHz hexa-core Apple A12 Bionic chip.
3GB RAM *.
32GB or 64GB storage.
Gigabit Ethernet.
Wi-Fi 6.
Bluetooth 5.0.
Thread assistance.
$ 179 for 32GB model, $199 for 64GB model.
Continue reading for a more detailed look at each of these aspects, and see exactly what both of the offered Apple TV designs need to provide.
Video.
The primary distinction between the Apple TELEVISION HD and the Apple TV 4K is the resolutions that they support. The Apple TELEVISION HD supports resolutions approximately Full HD at 1080p, while the Apple TV 4K supports resolutions up to Ultra HD at 2160p.
Both models support standard dynamic range, however just the Apple TV 4K supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, for richer colors and much deeper blacks. The Apple TELEVISION 4K likewise supports high framerate HDR approximately 60-fps. High frame rate HDR video makes it possible for fast-moving action at 60 frames per 2nd to play more smoothly and appear more lifelike.
With high frame rate support in AirPlay, videos shot on the iPhone 12 Pro can be displayed completely 60-fps Dolby Vision on the Apple TELEVISION 4K. Apple is also dealing with video companies worldwide, consisting of FOX Sports, NBCUniversal, Paramount+, Red Bull TELEVISION, and Canal+, as they start to stream in high frame rate HDR.
In order to maximize the Apple TV 4Ks better video capabilities, you will require to have an accompanying 4K TELEVISION with HDR. The video specifications of the Apple TV HD are sufficient for many older or lower-cost TVs, however for the finest possible visual experience utilizing technologies like 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision, the Apple TV 4K is the better choice, offering you have a pertinent TV.
Audio.
The Apple TV 4K also features more recent audio requirements with assistance for audio output with 7.1.4 channel surround noise with Dolby Atmos. The Apple TV HD, on the other hand, just supports audio output approximately 7.1 channel surround sound.
Just like the varying video requirements of the two Apple TV models, the extent to which you can benefit from the various audio specs depends upon your proprietary hardware. Basic house cinema setups will work well with the Apple TELEVISION HD, but for more advanced audio setups with Dolby Atmos, the Apple TV 4K is the much better alternative.
A8 vs. A12.
The second-generation Apple TELEVISION 4K includes the A12 Bionic chip. The A12 Bionic chip powered the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR in 2018, as well as the 2019 versions of the iPad Air and iPad Mini, and the 2020 entry-level iPad.
The A8 chip is significantly older and was first presented with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in 2014. The A12 is a 2.49 GHz hexa-core chip and is significantly more effective than the A8, which is a 1.5 GHz dual-core chip.
While processing power is not an absolute top priority with a set-top box, the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks more recent A12 chip will be far more capable than the A8. Whether it pertains to playing games, app launch speeds, or merely general responsiveness, the A12 is most likely to be far more stylish.
The Apple TELEVISION HD also pairs the A8 with 2GB of memory, while the Apple TELEVISION 4K most likely sets the A12 with 3GB of memory.
Through progressive updates to tvOS, the A12 will ensure better efficiency gradually, and the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks A12 will be a lot more future-proof than the A8 in the Apple TV HD.
Storage.
While there was originally a 64GB storage configuration for the Apple TELEVISION HD, there is now only a 32GB choice offered. The Apple TELEVISION 4K is offered in both 32GB and 64GB setups.
If you prepare on downloading a great deal of applications or keeping great deals of material on the Apple TELEVISION itself, then the Apple TV 4K with 64GB of storage will be the very best choice.
As a lot of media material on the Apple TV is streamed and not saved on the device itself, the amount of storage will not be particularly crucial to the majority of buyers.
Connection.
Wired Connectivity.
The Apple TELEVISION 4K includes the most current version of HDMI with variation 2.1, while the Apple TV HD utilizes the much older HDMI 1.4. HDMI 2.1 facilitates a lot of the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks included video abilities like high-framerate HDR.
The Apple TELEVISION 4K likewise has a gigabit ethernet port, which has the ability to reach much faster speeds than the Apple TELEVISION HDs 10/100 ethernet port.
Wireless Connectivity.
The Apple TELEVISION HD features Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.0, but the Apple TV 4K raises these requirements to the more recent Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. The Apple TELEVISION 4K likewise supports the Thread open requirement, like the HomePod mini, for improved combination into clever house setups.
Siri Remote.
Alongside the second-generation Apple TV 4K, Apple introduced a totally revamped Siri Remote. With a thicker, one-piece aluminum design, the new Siri Remote fits more comfortably in a users hand.
The brand-new Siri Remote features a clickpad control that offers five-way navigation for much better precision and is also touch-enabled for quick directional swipes. The external ring of the clickpad supports an intuitive circular gesture that turns it into a jog control.
The brand-new Siri Remote likewise has a power button that controls a TVs power directly, and another for mute. The Siri button has actually also been moved to the side of the remote for convenience.
Although the brand-new Siri Remote was introduced with the second-generation Apple TELEVISION 4K, Apple includes it with both of the current Apple TELEVISION 4K and Apple TELEVISION HD designs, so users need not pick one design over the other to get the better remote.
Final Thoughts.
Many clients must purchase the Apple TELEVISION 4K. There is only a $30 cost distinction between the Apple TELEVISION HD and Apple TELEVISION 4K. Even for customers for whom the Apple TELEVISION HD would be sufficient, the $30 upgrade to the Apple TV 4K is outstanding worth and worth it in practically all scenarios due to the variety of substantial however small upgrades it has throughout the board.