Level 1

24 points

Apple TV+ content has poor quality, freezes, buffers all the time

After spotty performance of Apple TV+ content through our TCL TV's Roku Apple TV app, we decided to try a new Apple TV 4K. The problems are still there -- episodes of Ted Lasso and Schmigadoon both struggled through, frequently bumping down to lower resolutions, skipping around, and freezing. The Apple TV is connected via ethernet to a fast connection, and no other channels ever have any trouble streaming 4K content. Is there a throttling problem with Spectrum, or possibly degraded Apple services (the status page says everything's fine)? We're on the brink of returning the device and cancelling our subscription.

Apple TV, tvOS 14

Posted on Aug 1, 2021 6:39 PM

Top-ranking reply

denirose7

Level 1

8 points

Posted on Feb 21, 2022 11:23 PM

Thank you! The solution from akinwande225 did absolutely work. Toggle the setting for “Limit Playback to SD” to ON. All freezing, skipping, jumping, (and out-of-synch subtitles/captions) are gone with no noticeable picture quality loss. Everything plays as it should. Content was previously unwatchable, especially foreign language tv and films where captions appeared too late or were skipped completely. I’ll still probably cancel after the trial period but this will get me through the three months.

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66 replies

Aug 6, 2021 6:22 PM in response to Drew Bell

We are experiencing the same. 4th gen Apple TV here.

Aug 19, 2021 10:19 PM in response to Drew Bell

Same here on Apple TV 4K 2021. AppleTV + service worked perfectly up to about a week ago. Something changed.

Sep 10, 2021 3:36 PM in response to H Charles Dilmore

Did rebooting your router help at all?

Sep 11, 2021 8:04 AM in response to David Breitigam

David, only temporarily.

Question: Does everyone in this thread have an Airport Extreme router?

Sep 11, 2021 1:49 PM in response to Drew Bell

An Apple upper-tier rep is reconnecting with me on Monday Sep 13 (after our Sep 7 marathon).

She's almost certain it's not a hardware issue.

So, will keep everyone posted here!

Chuck

Sep 13, 2021 9:34 PM in response to H Charles Dilmore

For me everything else consistently streams perfectly except for Apple hosted content.

Sep 16, 2021 12:08 AM in response to Drew Bell

In order to 1up their previous versions they mess things up.

suzime

Level 1

9 points

Oct 11, 2021 7:30 PM in response to Drew Bell

Same problem with me… now even the workaround doesn’t work!!

Iphone can no longer cast to Samsung 3yr old tv.

The only way to watch Apple TV is with iPad or phone!!

Totally ridiculous

suzime

Level 1

9 points

Oct 11, 2021 7:42 PM in response to Iftekhar25

Same malfunction with my Apple TV . Comcast maybe the problem. Totally frustrating

gadame1

Level 1

5 points

Dec 16, 2021 7:21 PM in response to gadame1

No, the problem is still presented :( after 15 minutes watching a movie the image is degraded randomly, the same symptom, hope Apple fix this issue soon!

kathelen

Level 1

18 points

Dec 19, 2021 9:47 AM in response to aaronweinzierl

This is the first time I have to say I’m disappointed in Apple - where are you in this discussion? Hello?????

Dec 23, 2021 5:07 AM in response to aaronweinzierl

I finally had enough and dropped apple.

Jan 4, 2022 8:39 AM in response to Drew Bell

Same problem here.

Using LG OLED55CXPSA. Ethernet - ISP 500 Mbps

Netflix, Amazon Prime and HBO Max works great!!

I don’t know why is so heavy. Just copy Netflix codecs and be happy.

gadame1

Level 1

5 points

Jan 10, 2022 3:18 PM in response to akinwande225

But in this configuration way that you propuse, you can't have the content on 4k quality, isn't it?

Feb 27, 2022 12:33 AM in response to denirose7

@denirose7 I don't see that option anywhere on my Apple TV 4K, or the TV app for macOS. Where did you find it?

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Apple TV+ content has poor quality, freezes, buffers all the time