Apple TV 4K 2021 shows only HD video from all apps instead of 4K or UHD

I think this is the real issue. I just had a long support chat with Netflix and they said that this AppleTV is identifying itself as “Apple TV” which in their system isn’t 4K (probably mixed up with the 3rd gen). Apple will either have to change the identifier or straighten things out with Netflix, Amazon, and others. See the chat with Netflix for more details.

except you're missing the point here..

Apple TV 4k v2 is telling Apps like Netflix, that it's an "Apple TV". Perhaps this is Apple changing their branding, perhaps it's a bug. Either way, the Netflix app, using that "Apple TV" label, is presuming it's on an original apple tv instead of 4kv2. Yes, the output of the 4kv2 is 4k to the TV, but if Netflix is playing HD content, then it's the 4kv2 which is upscaling the HD content to 4k, not Netflix playing 4k directly.

So, there's a few things that need fixing:

1. Apple should be reporting the proper hardware info to the apps, being more careful to separate out their branding labels from their non user facing hardware info labels.
2. Apps need to update themselves to be aware of 4kv2, and to show actual 4k content when connected to a 4k tv (which Apple TV 4k should be doing internally)

This is likely a bandwidth issue through that soundbar. Or you have another cable in play for that setup and it can't get enough speed. I've been using these and they are great - Amazon.com: 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable 6 Feet 48Gbps Ultra High Speed Support 4K120 8K60 eARC HDCP 2.2 2.3 - Compatible with Apple TV, PS5, Xbox One Series X, RTX 3080 3090: Industrial & Scientific.

See if you can go ARC or maybe optical from the TV to the soundbar.

I’ve read it, and clearly that support person was just going off the fact that the new Apple TV is simply labeled Apple TV now and not Apple TV 4K on the back end and on your device list. They clearly did no looking into the problem. This post is from 6 days after the Apple TV was released. It clearly shows Netflix streaming at native 4K despite what the bade says. Many others confirmed it as well with the developer menu. But you continue to deny the facts. Not really important anyway, the badge will soon be fixed. Have a great day.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/new-apple-tv-4k-is-showing-4k-content-just-mislabeling-it-as-hd-in-some-apps-swipe-down-menu.2298143/

You’re wrong mate. Simply watch a 4K video on the YouTube app and click the stats for nerds. Clearly shows playing in 4K. Definitely just a labeling issue. And we all can look forward to the next update.

Check your box next to the serial number label. It might say 1080P. I was trying to figure out why my Gen6 didn't show 4k video option setting. I called Apple support with the s/n and noticed the 1080P. No where on Apple web site says Gen6 also comes in 1080P model.

I tried another test to Airplay Dolby Vision/4K video from my iPhone 12 Pro Max. For this test, I am using the "Dolby Vision" logo that briefly appears at the top, right corner of the screen to indicate whether the video is streaming at 4K. I am assuming that when the logo appears, the video is 4K even if the "Info" section shows "HD".

I don't have an issue with Apple TV+, Netflix, or Disney+. I see the "Dolby Vision" logo appear for 4K content. My issue is with Amazon Prime, Paramount+, and Hulu. I could have sworn I had the problem with HBOMAX. It seems to work now. There was a recent update where HBOMAX changed their player. It now has compatibility issues with the Apple TV remote. But this is for another thread.

My test: From my iPhone:

1. I airplay'd Star Trek Discovery to the Apple TV 4K 2021. The "Dolby Vision" logo did not appear.
2. I airplay'd Star Trek Discovery to my LG CX. The "Dolby Vision" logo appeared.

When I tried this test with Hulu and Amazon Prime, the "Dolby Vision" logo did not appear on either. I think their iPhone apps might not stream 4K to mobile devices. I can't confirm this with Amazon Prime, but I can for Hulu. A 4K title on my Apple TV's Hulu app does not have "4K" in its description on their iPhone app.

Although "HD" appearing under "Info" is an Apple problem, I think not streaming the correct quality to get the "Dolby Vision" logo might be an issue for the streaming services like Paramount+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime where it doesn't appear as expected. Paramount+ only streams to some 4K devices. The 5th gen Apple TV 4K is one of them. Perhaps they need to update their code to recognize the Apple TV 4K 2021 model?

My Apple TV 4K 2021 video settings are:

• Format: 4K Dolby Vision
• Match content: Off
• Check HDMI Connection: Tested successfully for 4K video. My HDMI cable is HDMI 2.1and supports the higher frame rate.

And audio settings are:

• Audio Output: TV Speakers (I actually eARC from the TV to an integrated amp.)
• Audio Format: Auto, Atmos Available

contact apple support, they know there is an issue, but they need to know how many are experiencing it

Some updates - Called Apple today and the support person looked through this thread and the Reddit thread. He was going to raise it internally.

I was also advised to try out an ultra high speed HDMI cable that is compatible HDML 2.1. I did the "HDMI Connection Check" which showed no issues (previous cable did).

My TV is a LG 49UF850T.

Cable is Comsol ultra high speed HDMI cable (48Gbps).

My internet connection has consistent 260Mbps+ down speed.

Tried Netflix, Disney+ with both "Ultra Deep Color" on and off for the HDMI port using TV settings. Issue still exist.

Netflix shows "ULTRA 4K" as an option but plays HD.

Disney+ doesn't show a video info panel but it looks HD. When I turn on UHD, it shows a HDCP connection error after playing a black screen for couple of seconds.

Also tried restarting the Apple TV a few times... no solution so far.

Agree, don’t mark it solved, it’s not. I also think it’s a metadata bug. I just did a test where I changed the Apple TV settings to 4K SDR with match rates turned on. My OLED tv picture settings changed to custom, no Dolby Vision or HDR signal. When I play Tenant in iTunes movies, the badge of course only says HD, no 4K, no HDR, no Dolby Vision, BUT when I go to the TV picture settings they changed to HDR Dolby Vision signal coming in. So label does not match signal. Unfortunately I can’t confirm actual resolution

Your AV receiver and or TV should always show a 4K input from a 4K Apple TV, unless you manually switch it in settings, because the Apple TV always upscales everything to 4K regardless of the native stream it is receiving, that was the main reason why most people could not actually tell if it was a labeling issue or actually streaming HD. 🤷🏼‍♂️ So if your receiver is getting a 1080p signal from the 4K Apple TV you’ve got bigger problems.

What is your deal? First you marked this situation Solved from your own false answer. You keep telling everyone to return it, which is not necessary. It has been proven that this is only a labeling issue from the developer menu showing what Native Resolution is being streamed and the bit rate it is streaming. Then when people tell you and show you that it has been fixed in 14.7, you call them liars. Have you used 14.7?

It has never been an HD signal, the developer menu can confirm this. It shows both the native resolution and bit rate are both 4K. Other than that badge in the menu, what proof do you have that it is streaming natively in HD and not 4K?

My config:

tvos14.6

appletv 4k 2021 connected to tv with 4k capable hdmi port. 

Wired network connection 100 mb up+down. confirmed with speedtest op atv.

I have tried all combinations in video settings , incl all resolutions, always same result: max HD streaming in apps upscaled to 4k by ATV.

this is checked with xcode. 

What is working is that the screensavers are native 4k content according to xcode; I can also see TV switching also to 4k resolution and correct framerate.

I did not need xcode to prove it is not working; The difference is notable compared to f.i. the native apps on smart tv with 4k streaming. from start i believed that ATV created upscaled 4k output based on HD content. (only not for the screensavers).

Xcode just confirmed that.

i hoped next tvos versions solved the problem it did not.

The box is going back to the shop. Apple clearly did not solve the issues until now.