Apple TV YouTube App Rolling Out 4K Support

[MacRumors]

One of the new tvOS 14 features highlighted by Apple was support for watching 4K videos in the YouTube app, but when tvOS 14 launched, Apple TV 4K users quickly noticed that support wasn't available.

That appears to be changing, as there are reports on Reddit (via FlatpanelsHD) that support for 4K YouTube videos is starting to roll out. Multiple users have reported seeing 4K playback options in the YouTube app on tvOS 14, tvOS 14.0.1, and tvOS 14.2.

4K support has not yet rolled out to all users, however, as in our tests, we were not able to access 4K YouTube content and continued to have a 1080p limitation. While 4K content appears to be available, those with access are still not able to enable HDR, and 4K videos are limited to 30 frames per second.

It's unclear if the lack of HDR is temporary or a limitation on the 4K Apple TV, and it's also not known when 4K content will be available for all. It seems to be rolling out though, so there may not be too much longer to wait. YouTube in September said that Apple TV 4K would support 4K YouTube playback "soon."

Article Link: Apple TV YouTube App Rolling Out 4K Support

 

[macsplusmacs]

Finally!

any good 4Ks we should watch right away?

 

[Realityck]

I checked this last night, just now not working with tvOS 4.2 beta 2 18K5036d. You had a few say it was working on reddit, and several that said it wasn't.

I just tried Mexico Drone Beautiful Aerial (4k) with latest app and same OS, still 1080P. Rebooted OS too. Everything else I checked is still stuck at 1080P.

Same 2.05.01 September 20, 2020 release of Youtube.

 

[aaronhead14]

Glad progress is being made. But at the same time, it feels kinda pointless if HDR isn’t supported...

 

[GadgetBen]

You need the top HDMI cables for this to work.

 

[m11rphy]

Am I the only one who has lost 4k YouTube on macOS Big Sur?

 

[BWhaler]

Now support picture-in-picture and stop punishing your customers.

We’ll watch more ads this way and there is no skip button in the small viewer. You’d think even if Google doesn’t care about viewers, they care about making more money. :/

 

[MacinMan]

Glad progress is being made. But at the same time, it feels kinda pointless if HDR isn’t supported...

So, is HDR not supported on YouTube for Apple TV? I checked my 4k Apple TV after reading the article, and still only 1080p. Also made sure my Youtube app was the latest version. I asked about HDR, because one of my main channels on YouTube for testing HDR / 4K is the HDR channel.

 

[MacStreamer]

I wish YouTube would offer a $4.99 plan for an ad-free YouTube only experience. I have no desire to pay $11.99.

 

[Realityck]

You need the top HDMI cables for this to work.

If you can watch 4K Dolby Vision streaming, your already good enough!
[automerge]1601663306[/automerge]

 

[dazz87]

Now support picture-in-picture and stop punishing your customers.

We’ll watch more ads this way and there is no skip button in the small viewer. You’d think even if Google doesn’t care about viewers, they care about making more money. :/

then move on to another app then......

 

[LegCortex]

The most annoying part of all this is that YouTube was serving full native 4K videos during the iOS/iPadOS 14 betas, but now UHD is restricted to HDR videos for some godforsaken reason. Makes me wonder what kind of BS they have in store for tvOS.

 

[Kylo83]

Terrible roll out iOS doesn’t work with anything but hdr 4k and iOS does nothing in 4k why can’t it just work

 

[Apple_Robert]

It would be nice to be able to watch 4K video without using the app. I don’t have a YouTube account for a reason.

 

[EugW]

Apple TV 4K is A10X.

I hope this means my A10X iPad Pro will also be supported.

 

[Realityck]

The most annoying part of all this is that YouTube was serving full native 4K videos during the iOS/iPadOS 14 betas, but now UHD is restricted to HDR videos for some godforsaken reason. Makes me wonder what kind of BS they have in store for tvOS.

This is associated only with the iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS app. So either should not associate non HDR capable devices not being able to play 4K content.

 

[MacinMan]

It would be nice to be able to watch 4K video without using the app. I don’t have a YouTube account for a reason.

That's why I replied to the comment above about HDR. IS HDR supported, or isn't it? As I mentioned, when I tested my setup after reading this post, neither HDR, or 4K worked with Youtube on an Apple TV 4k, latest TVOS 14.0.1 and Youtube app.

 

[Realityck]

Am I the only one who has lost 4k YouTube on macOS Big Sur?

Looks great in Big Sur in 8K

 

[sonamo]

And it's doing it without the T2 chip!! 😂

 

[jcshas]

I’d be happy if the app developers would just focus on fixing all of the annoying bugs with the youtube app.

 

[EugW]

And it's doing it without the T2 chip!! 😂

No DRM though.

 

[coasttech]

I deleted the app and reinstalled and.... 4K baby!! WOOHOO!!

 

[Doomtomb]

I expect a 4K Apple TV with T2 chip to be appearing soon

 

[carlos916]

Not seeing HDR support? Or am i the only one...

 

[RamGuy]

And it's doing it without the T2 chip!! 😂

I figured you are just trying to be smart/funny. But to those who don't get this, the Apple TV 4K is running Apple Silicon (Apple A10X) and has the secure enclave already. There is no need for a T2 equivalent on the Apple TV.