Apple TV 4K Downloadable Movies

Question

Apple TV 4K Downloadable Movies

I have just bought an Apple TV 4K (device) and it is the most convenient device to plug directly into my TV for viewing. It works great for many things, but I am sadly disappointed to find that this is the only device sold by Apple where I cannot pre-download content and I suffer continual buffering issues that cannot be worked around.

In the past, I got around this by pre-downloading the content, then playing it smoothly. Money cannot buy better Internet access where I am, and I have tried many options.

I chose to buy a 64Gb device to ensure I didn't run out of space for this as the staff at the Apple shop loosely told me it was the same functionality as the App on my phone.

The fact that the Apple TV device is the only device sold by Apple that does not allow this is a very limiting factor for this device. Did the architects presume that the rest of the world has fast enough internet beside their TV that it would never suffer buffering? I have watched my first few completely interrupted movies and it is very disappointing.

Can I change the buffering space at least to cater for the pre-loading of some content? Is there a way of downloading it on another device and pairing it in such a way that the Apple TV still plays it somehow?

Surely the functionality would be there in the device and I assume the security requirements would be the same on any device.

Posted on Dec 7, 2021 7:51 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Urquhart1244

Level 10

146,226 points

Dec 7, 2021 9:46 PM in response to MarkInAustralia

Money cannot buy better Internet access where I am, and I have tried many options.

Let’s talk numbers. What bandwidth do you get? Speedtest app - App Store preview - Apple

Streams bitrates differ by content provider, and Apple iTunes Store movies and Apple TV+ are on the high end for better quality visuals. For rough numbers, 4K HDR movies require a recommended speed of 25 Mbps, 4K SDR movies require a recommended speed of 15 Mbps, 1080p HD movies require a recommended speed of 8 Mbps, 720p HD movies require a recommended speed of 6 Mbps, while SD movies require a recommended speed of 2.5 Mbps.

Did the architects presume that the rest of the world has fast enough internet

I think they did assume that 4K watchers have at least 25 Mbps.

Is there a way of downloading it on another device and pairing it in such a way that the Apple TV still plays it somehow?

You can download VOD content on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. And then AirPlay stream to Apple TV. Downloads will be HD 1080p (or less) though.

Surely the functionality would be there in the device and I assume the security requirements would be the same on any device.

The moment that users collect content on a device, you are going to need much more than 64 GB. Instead, Apple chose to make Apple TV a purely streaming device.

Reply

Answer 2

Dec 8, 2021 9:51 PM in response to Urquhart1244

Thanks for your responses... I have tried the AirPlay solution and this has worked and does allow me to download when the connection is slow. Thanks for that. Did not make that connection at first. I still did think that with 64Gb on board, there would be adequate storage to at least cache as it detects slower connections.

I get between 200Kb and 70Mbps and all over the place depending on many things: Time of Day, nuances of my local network, where Telstra connects me under the covers, congestion at the local country exchange, trees moving between my house and the tower 4.6k away, weather, Antenna movement (swaying), and maybe some things I know nothing of at present.

Reply

Apple TV 4K Downloadable Movies

Similar questions