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Hi,
I am trying to airplay a video from the Apple TV app on iPad (iPadOS 15.4.1) to an Apple TV.
The videos are (plain, non-protected) mp4 files that I copied into the app from my Mac via iTunes.
Is there any information about which file formats are supported for AirPlay?
Because for my Apple TV video purchases, the procedure works fine.
Thank you very much in advance!
iPad Air 3 Wi-Fi
What is your model Apple TV box? Identify your Apple TV model - Apple Support
Your Mac and iPhone may have wider support for media formats than your Apple TV box (or AirPlay). Your files need to conform to all of these. I’d recommend H.264 video with AAC audio in an MP4/MOV/M4V container, with video resolution not exceeding the resolution for the Apple TV box and TV, and no more than 1080p, and no more than 30 fps. H.264 has a lot of encoding options, and possibly some property values may be out of bounds for AirPlay. AirPlay to older models Apple TV may require media file writing with QuickStart pseudo streaming properties (e.g. meta data at the start of the file, instead of at the end, and proper interleaving in small chunks); always advised, but not mandatory for newer models.
If you need to re-encode, then use a tool with Apple TV presets, if possible. E.g. HandBrake or ff·Works.
If you want to try optimizing/re-muxing without re-encoding, which is much faster, then use e.g. Subler. It won’t fix for codec incompatibilities, though.
Video formats and audio formats supported for the various models Apple TV box’s default media player, are listed in the technical specifications:
Apple TV (2nd generation) technical specifications - Apple
Apple TV (3rd generation) technical specifications - Apple
Apple TV HD (4th generation) technical specifications - Apple
Apple TV 4K (1st generation) technical specifications - Apple
Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) technical specifications - Apple
What is your model Apple TV box? Identify your Apple TV model - Apple Support
Your Mac and iPhone may have wider support for media formats than your Apple TV box (or AirPlay). Your files need to conform to all of these. I’d recommend H.264 video with AAC audio in an MP4/MOV/M4V container, with video resolution not exceeding the resolution for the Apple TV box and TV, and no more than 1080p, and no more than 30 fps. H.264 has a lot of encoding options, and possibly some property values may be out of bounds for AirPlay. AirPlay to older models Apple TV may require media file writing with QuickStart pseudo streaming properties (e.g. meta data at the start of the file, instead of at the end, and proper interleaving in small chunks); always advised, but not mandatory for newer models.
If you need to re-encode, then use a tool with Apple TV presets, if possible. E.g. HandBrake or ff·Works.
If you want to try optimizing/re-muxing without re-encoding, which is much faster, then use e.g. Subler. It won’t fix for codec incompatibilities, though.
Video formats and audio formats supported for the various models Apple TV box’s default media player, are listed in the technical specifications:
Apple TV (2nd generation) technical specifications - Apple
Apple TV (3rd generation) technical specifications - Apple
Apple TV HD (4th generation) technical specifications - Apple
Apple TV 4K (1st generation) technical specifications - Apple
Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) technical specifications - Apple
More precisely, I am using the Apple TV app on a Samsung smart TV, but the Samsung support page or forums don't provide information on this topic.
Ah, okay, no Apple TV box then.
The Apple TV app on you smart TV does not use AirPlay. AirPlay does not use the Apple TV app on your smart TV. These are separate and independent services.
Please confirm that your TV model is supporting AirPlay: List of AirPlay 2-enabled smart TVs - Apple
and: How to stream from an iPhone or iPad using AirPlay 2 - Samsung Support
If you will, do try to AirPlay this sample file (26 sec.).
Thanks a lot for the detailed explanation. I tried various formats in HandBrake, e.g. H.264/AAC in 1080p / 30fps, but I didn't get it to work yet.
More precisely, I am using the Apple TV app on a Samsung smart TV, but the Samsung support page or forums don't provide information on this topic.
Airplay from iPad to Apple TV shows error "This video is in a format that can't be streamed to this TV"
