Can my 4K Apple TV buffer streaming video?

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Level 1

8 points

Can my 4K Apple TV buffer streaming video?

My internet data rates are between 10- and 15-Mbps. This can be problematic because it is not sufficient to support real-time 4K video. Even the video quality of HD movies can sometimes become degraded if my internet data rates are temporarily reduced. Of course, this problem could be overcome if my 4K Apple TV could buffer the movie the way YouTube videos are buffered on a computer. I would simply start the movie in advance of when I wanted to watch it, and let the device buffer the data so I can enjoy a top-video-quality experience. Therefore, allow me to ask: can my 4K Apple TV device buffer streaming 4K content? I can't be the first person that wishes for this capability; its a no-brainer. Thank you!!!

Posted on Dec 28, 2018 11:56 AM

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Answer 1

vazandrew

Level 8

40,834 points

Dec 28, 2018 3:49 PM in response to William_abcd

That is correct, 4K streaming requires at least 25mbps.

The only way to allow that function is to turn off quick start within the settings for iTunes. However, you will then be limited to 1080P

It is the same limitation, based with the agreement with studios, that prevents the downloading of 4K purchases.

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Answer 2

vazandrew

Level 8

40,834 points

Dec 29, 2018 9:17 AM in response to William_abcd

Not a problem

The studios would have to allow downloading of 4K content. That content would obviously be a much bigger file.

If your connection is that slow it indicates an issue with your local network or the ISP is throttling

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Answer 3

William_abcd Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 29, 2018 8:47 AM in response to vazandrew

Thank you so much for your reply! I didn't know about the "quick start" setting. That is very helpful, and I deployed that feature last night with great success.

In summary, what you are saying is that providers of content up to and including 1080p allows extended buffering - buffering that is very useful for those with slow internet access. For higher resolution content, the studios do not allow it - its not a design limitation per se of the AppleTV. That's really too bad; it seems software running on the AppleTV and similar machines could prevent pirating of the buffered movies... Maybe sometime in the future...???

Now I have to figure out why my router was only streaming at a rate of 2.5 - 3 Mbps, which was not fast enough for uninterrupted viewing of a 1080p movie I was streaming last night from iTunes, even though I have a 15 Mbps internet pipe, and no other devices were using my internet download data rate capacity. It was set at the "highest" priority.

btw, during the time we were streaming and watching the movie, streaming came to a screeching halt. Couldn't figure out why. A couple of clicks of the menu button, then navigating back into the play mode, got it back on track. Very bizarre.

Will

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Can my 4K Apple TV buffer streaming video?

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