APPLE TV 4K DIGITAL MEDIA PLAYER UPGRADE
APPLE TV 4K DIGITAL MEDIA PLAYER BLUETOOTH

We’d love to see it added to BT Sport in the UK, for example. We suspect this is more down to Red Bull’s implementation than the technology, and the added support for High Frame Rate 4K HDR could be beneficial once more apps adopt it. Apple points us in the direction of the ‘Enhanced 4K HDR’ videos on the Red Bull TV app, but these actually look worse on the new Apple TV 4K than they do on the old model, thanks to blown-out colours and over-brightened highlights. However, there’s currently little content available in this High Frame Rate 4K HDR. The processor also combines with a new HDMI 2.1 socket to add support for 4K HDR content in frame rates of up to 60fps, whereas the old model was limited to 30fps when playing 4K HDR. The old model is still slick in use, but there’s an extra degree of fluidity to navigation on the new one and menus populate quicker. Combined with the new remote, it certainly produces a snappier user experience. The company claims that this change results in “more realistic games, more lifelike videos, and more immersive sound”.

APPLE TV 4K DIGITAL MEDIA PLAYER UPGRADE

The other significant upgrade for the new Apple TV 4K is the processor: Apple has swapped the A10X Fusion chip of the old model for the A12 Bionic. However, if you own the existing Apple TV 4K and fancy that flashy new remote, you can buy it separately for £55 ($59, AU$79). It’s a much more satisfying and less finicky method of operation than before, although it’s still a bit too easy to accidentally swipe when you want to click. The central button and the ring around are both clickable and touch-sensitive, so you’re able to swipe or click as you prefer, and you can also rotate your thumb around the edge to scroll through videos. Perhaps the most important change, though, is that the ‘hidden’ trackpad of the old remote has been replaced by a circular clickpad that’s reminiscent of the iPod wheel. The Siri button, meanwhile, has been moved from the face to the right side for consistency with modern iPhones. While still compact and minimalist compared with a typical TV remote, it’s a bit bigger and significantly more solid and substantial than its predecessor, and boasts a couple of extra buttons: a dedicated mute button, and a power button that can also operate your TV and home cinema kit. While the streamer looks and feels the same as before, the remote is new and much improved.

APPLE TV 4K DIGITAL MEDIA PLAYER BLUETOOTH

The remote control’s Bluetooth 5.0 functionality means you don’t need to place the box within sight of your seating position.

It’s obviously bigger than stick- and dongle-style video streamers but, at 3.5cm (1.4in) tall and 10cm (4in) square, it’s compact enough to fit into almost any space.

Apple tv 4k digital media player