(Apple TV) "Video is in a format that can’t be streamed to this TV"; (iMac) "There's a problem loading this content"

Upgraded to Big Sur v11.5 - problem fixed

Can now stream content

So some additional information

I also happen to have a couple of older Apple TV units (2nd Generation MC572X/A - v6.2.1) and 3rd Generation (A1469 - v7.4). I tried these two units and get exactly the same problem. So it seems it is not tvOS dependent

So it seems to me that the problem is with the Big Sur 11.4 software (Affects Apple TV App and Quicktime)

Going to test with Apple TV App on my iPhone now (need to download content onto phone first)

From testing below - tvOS seems to be fine. Looks like it is with Airplay from Mac to the Apple TV HD unit. My iPhone (with content downloaded onto it) is able to stream the content to the Apple TV. So think this is a Big Sur 11.4 issue (with Airplay)

So tested this with MacBook Air (Catalina 10.15.7) and streaming works to Apple TV with same files

So problem is definitely with Big Sur and Airplay

Checking on the Internet there seem to be pretty of problems with Big Sur and Airplay....

Hi Bert Bassett,

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iMac is running Big Sur - v11.4

Apple TV HD (4th Generation) - Running tvOS 14.x

As noted above I have attempted to stream content

i) from the iMac (using Apple TV App and Quicktime) - Get the error "Video is in a format that can’t be streamed to this TV" from Apple TV App. Quicktime attempts to play it for about 1s and then it stops. The screen on my TV flickers in the latter case

ii) Selecting the Movie, TV Show on the Apple TV HD - Get the error "There's a problem loading this content"

[As mentioned the whole library is seen and displayed when selecting the Computer Button [orange] on the Apple TV display - just wont play]

Content has worked for many years - only recently have been unable to Airplay to Apple TV

Also I am able to stream content from my iPhone, iPad and iMac if it has been purchased from Apple and loaded into library, Streamed from Apple TV+, Netflix

This is only an issue with Home Movies or content that is derived/ripped from DVDs. Recently created Home Movie using iMovie - (old Wedding Video) and was unable to play that content too

So it seems that I can't display any DIY (personally created) content

Thanks for the suggestion - As noted in my other response I created a Home Movie (using iMovie) a couple of days ago and that wont play either

Something appears to have changed in recent times with Airplay and tvOS

There is obviously something in the format of these "home movies" that either Airplay 2 or tvOS 14.x, 15.x does not like

So downloaded several files and all play successfully from iPhone using Apple TV App to Apple TV (on 2nd Generation Model and 4th Generation Model) [Didn't try the 3rd Generation model]

So in my mind this confirms the issue is with the Mac - and Big Sur. Lets hope v11.5 fixes the issue